Insurance Law
Insurance can help Australians get back on their feet after extreme weather events, accidents, crime, illness or the death of a loved one. When things go wrong people are often traumatised, and find it hard to understand or assert their legal rights. When insurance works as expected it can be the path to recovery. Choose from the topics below to find fact sheets to help you answer your insurance questions and concerns.
Financial Abuse
Have you have been forced into taking loans you don’t need or can’t afford? Let us help you untangle yourself from debts in your name that are not yours. Even where there are joint loans or debts in your name that were taken out as a result of economic abuse or without your knowledge – you still have options. Call Financial Rights for free financial counselling or legal help.
Alanna’s Story: Financial abuse business loan guarantee
We assisted Alanna, a woman in her mid-thirties escaping an abusive relationship. She had been pressured during the relationship to guarantee a business loan for her ex-partner’s company. The loan was in default when she came to us, and she became aware of her ongoing obligation and risk as a guarantor.
This matter was complex as it was not regulated by the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 as it was for a genuine business purpose, and was not covered by any industry codes of practice. Alanna was at risk of the ongoing impact of this debt following her for many years to come. We raised an unconscionable conduct dispute based on the circumstances of entry and she was successfully released from the guarantee.
When to get help
Read through the fact sheets below and use the sample letters selected. Recognising financial abuse and trying to do something about it can be overwhelming. But you are not alone. Give us a call if you don’t know where to start or can’t find a solution for your problem. You may have recently left an abusive partner, and discovered some of these problems:
- You were pressured into signing onto loans you didn’t want, or for your partner’s use
- Your partner controlled where your money went, or limited your access to your money
- Your ex-partner used your mobile phone to sign you up to loans you didn’t want
- There are debt collectors at your door for a debt you don’t remember.
- You are paying for a car loan or for tolls when your ex-partner has the car.
- Your credit report is a mess from the abuse.
Financial Counselling
Our financial counsellors provide information and advice on credit and debt issues to assist people resolve their financial difficulties and disputes with lenders, essential service providers and other financial services. We can also provide referrals to face-to-face financial counselling services, free dispute resolution schemes and many other community and government services. In some cases we encourage callers to stay in contact with us as they take each step in resolving their problem or dispute. In a very small number of cases callers may qualify for case work assistance.
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