Debt collectors' tactics have sparked a surge in complaints. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the number of complaints has doubled since 1999, when it published guidelines for debt collectors under the Trade Practices Act. The ACCC has received 508 complaints in the 2003 financial year compared with 243 in 2000.

Consumers claim they have been harassed at work and physically threatened with some saying they've been subjected to false claims. The ACCC is taking Esanda Finance to court in July over its debt collecting firm's use of physical force and workplace harassment. The Consumers' Federation of Australia will begin a campaign targeting specific debt collectors. The federation also intends to compile information to pass on to consumers.