This all started only when I received an SMS from Probe Group debt collectors over Christmas. I didn't even know what the Probe Group was, but found out after some googling.
At this stage I didn't know this was regarding Centrelink. This was the furthest thing on my mind as the last time I dealt with Centrelink was over four years ago when I was studying. Since then I have worked full time.
Anyway given I was sure I was not in debt with anyone, I disregarded the SMS from the Probe Group. To be on the safe side I ordered a free credit report from Veda. That came back 10 days later and it was clean.
Over the next month I received a few more SMSs from the Probe Group. I ignored them. All SMS messages just said to call the Probe Group regarding an urgent matter and to quote a reference number. No further detail. So I ignored the messages.
A week ago I received a phone call from an unknown number. I let it go to message bank. This was the first time I learned this was in regards to Centrelink. A robotic voice left a message requesting me to call the Probe Group regarding a Centrelink debt.
Now true, I had not updated my postal address with Centrelink when we moved three years ago. But they had my email address and phone number. The fact that Centrelink was able to give my phone number to a debt collector, but failed to contact me on that number themselves is pretty amazing.
Anyway, I rang up and linked Centrelink to my MyGov account so I could actually log in. Sure enough, in the "money I owe" section, I see a $4,500 debt sitting there. First I knew about it.
There was a short summary claiming that the debt was from the summer period after I had completed my full time tertiary degree and continued receiving youth allowance payments until I started work the following year.
Unfortunately I don't have records from that period. I would have been entitled to NewStart for the period given I was looking for work. But I didn't go through that process. So I suppose I was not entitled to those payments.
I am between jobs at the moment and trying to stretch dollars, so this comes at a bad time. I thought about requesting a review, but I've decided that - despite Centrelink's poor management of this process - I stuffed up by not going through proper process to get NewStart and instead just stayed on Youth Allowance until I got my job.
So I just paid the whole thing using the online services. At least they accept credit card!
Very poor that even though the ATO and electoral role had my correct postal address, and Centrelink had my correct phone number and email address, that this matter was referred to debt collectors before I heard ANYTHING from Centrelink.