'Heartless to the core': autistic man chased by Centrelink debt collector

A call from a private debt collector was the first 21-year-old Jack Rogerson learned of his $3,000 debt to Centrelink. 

Rogerson, who is autistic, was confused and unsure of how to explain himself. He began preparing to pay the debt recovery firm Dun & Bradstreet, which has a $10.8m contract with Centrelink to chase down welfare recipients for years-old debts.

But before doing so he mentioned the call to his mother, who intervened.

Nicole Rogerson, who is the head of Autism Awareness Australia, said finding out that her son was being “heavied” by debt collectors was a huge wake-up call. She fears others with an intellectual disability are at risk of paying money they may not owe.