You can only go to a Disputes Tribunal to enforce debts if the other party disputes they owe the money. Before hiring a debt collector, ask for proof that the person or company operates a trust account. Each credit reference agency keeps a separate database, which may contain different information about you. The largest is Baycorp Business Data. Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to access personal information held about you.
Debt collectors get a lot of information from public sources.
Court judgments against debtors, for instance, are published fortnightly in the Mercantile Gazette. When you apply for credit you also give traders information they can pass on, provided you agree. Debt collectors may also hire private investigators. Credit reference agencies generally keep information on your credit record for five to six years. Baycorp keeps court judgment information for six years, and company officer, bankruptcy and enquiry details for seven years.