If debt collectors are calling you relentlessly, there’s a phrase you need to know — and it works immediately. Under the ACCC/ASIC Debt Collection Guideline, three simple words can legally stop a collector from contacting you directly: “Talk to my representative.” Once you say it, every future call must go through your appointed representative instead.

How the “Representative” Rule Works

The ACCC/ASIC guideline is clear: once you tell a debt collector that you have an authorised representative — whether that’s a financial counsellor, solicitor, or community legal worker — they must redirect all future communication to that person. The collector can no longer call you, text you, or visit your home.

What surprises most people is that you can give this authorisation verbally, on the phone, right then and there. You don’t need a formal letter. You don’t need to fill out paperwork. You simply say: “I want all further contact to go through my representative,” provide the contact details, and the calls must stop.

What Happens If They Keep Calling?

If a collector continues contacting you after you’ve appointed a representative, they’re breaching the guideline. Even if your representative doesn’t respond immediately, the collector must first write to the representative giving them seven days to respond before attempting to contact you again. They can’t just resume calling you because it’s easier.

You can report breaches to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which handles disputes involving financial firms and debt collectors. Persistent breach of the guideline can result in enforcement action.

Where to Find a Representative

A financial counsellor is available at no cost through the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007). Legal aid services operate in every state and territory. Community legal centres are another option. Any of these can act as your authorised representative, creating a legal barrier between you and the collector.

Of course, appointing a representative stops the calls — but it doesn’t fix what’s on your credit report. If a collector has already listed a default, that listing could be challengeable, especially if they didn’t follow the correct process under the Privacy Act.

You don’t have to endure harassment from debt collectors. The law gives you clear protections. Appoint a representative to stop the calls, then get your credit file checked by a specialist law firm to see if any defaults can be removed entirely.