A financial counsellors' report has called for a crackdown on the techniques used by debt collectors. The submission to Consumer Affairs Victoria says rogue operators are using stand over tactics and intimidating people over debts, some of which have already been paid back. Consumer Credit Legal Service says many struggling people are caught in a debt collection "sausage machine" and face unsympathetic treatment while already dealing with financial hardship caused by unemployment, divorce or illness. The debt collection industry is a booming business in Australia. Debt collectors are now chasing about $12 billion a year in overdue debts - up 25 per cent from 1998.