NSW Telstra Debt Left in Collection Agency?

[Rickey andreatta]

I have been paying my Telstra bill off $50 to $100 a fortnight, or when I could afford since I lost my job. I asked for it to be disconnected and it was as there were charges on there, I disputed.

I've got it down from $1300 to $882 with $100 paid off end of December, which was basically $50 a fortnight. It's been 3 weeks since I've made a payment as I've lost my second job and haven't had a chance to put any money on it lately.

My original contract runs out middle of February but Telstra have put it in the hands of collection agency, even though I was making payments when I could. Are they allowed to do this as it has been less than 3 months since I've put money on it?

 

[Sophea]

Yes, Telstra are within their rights to do this. Make sure you don't pay anything to Telstra anymore, as they probably don't own the debt, the debt collector does and you will have to negotiate a payment plan with them. They are not obliged to agree to any payment plan that you propose.

Check out this article on dealing with debt collectors: https://www.lawanswers.com.au/blog/dealing-with-debt-collectors/

 

[Tim W]

Yes.

You also need to understand that, having agreed to a plan,
that you actually have to stick to it.