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Community Law
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www.communitylaw.org.nz
Your local Community Law Centre can provide free initial legal advice and information.
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Consumer Protection
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www.consumerprotection.govt.nz
Consumer Protection helpline: 0508 426 678 (0508 4 CONSUMER)
Email: cpinfo@mbie.govt.nz
The Consumer Protection website has useful information on a range of consumer topics. Consumer Protection is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
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MoneyTalks
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www.moneytalks.co.nz
Phone: 0800 345 123
Email: help@moneytalks.co.nz
MoneyTalks provides free, confidential budgeting support. They can pair you with a financial mentor to help you if you are struggling with debt or need advice on budgeting.
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FinCap
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www.fincap.org.nz
Phone: 0800 345 123
Email: kiaora@fincap.org.nz
FinCap can help you with budgeting information online or on the phone. They may also suggest a local budgeting service to help you with debt and other budgeting issues.
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Consumer NZ
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www.consumer.org.nz
Phone: 0800 266 786
Email: info@consumer.org.nz
The Consumer NZ website provides a wide range of information on consumer credit and debt issues, including debt collectors, repossession and bankruptcy
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Commerce Commission
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www.comcom.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 943 600
Email: contact@comcom.govt.nz
The Commerce Commission enforces the consumer credit legislation (the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act) and the laws against misleading and deceptive conduct by traders (the Fair Trading Act). The Commission provides information on these areas on its website.
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It’s All Good
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www.comcom.govt.nz/business/resources-for-consumer-organisations/its-all-good
It’s All Good is an animated series produced by The Commerce Commission about consumer rights.
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Citizens Advice
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www.cab.org.nz
Phone: 0800 FOR CAB (0800 367 222)
Citizens Advice Bureaux have volunteers trained in consumer law who can provide information and advice if you have a problem with credit and debt issues.
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There are four dispute resolution schemes for consumers dealing with lenders and other credit providers.
- Financial Services Complaints Limited – www.fscl.org.nz
Phone: 0800 347 257
- Email: info@fscl.org.nz
- Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman –
Phone: 0800 888 202
- Email: info@ifso.nz
- Banking Ombudsman – www.bankomb.org.nz
Phone: 0800 805 950
- Email: help@bankomb.org.nz
- Financial Dispute Resolution – www.fdrs.org.nz Phone: 0508 337 337
- Email: enquiries@fdrs.org.nz
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The Ministry of Justice
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The Ministry of Justice website has information about civil claims in the District Courts: see www.justice.govt.nz and search “Claims you can take to civil court”.
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Privacy Commission
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www.privacy.org.nz
Phone: 0800 803 909
The Privacy Commission has information on your rights in relation to credit reporting and how to complain if you feel your rights have been breached.
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Your credit record
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Three credit reporting companies operate nationally in New Zealand. To check your record or correct any information, you’ll need to contact them all.
You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit record. You should make sure you choose the free option when you contact each company.
Centrix – www.centrix.co.nz 0800 236 874
Illion – www.illion.co.nz 0800 733 707
Equifax – www.equifax.co.nz 0800 698 332
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Personal Properties Securities Register (PPSR)
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www.ppsr.companiesoffice.govt.nz
Search the PPSR register to see if there is any security interest registered against a vehicle. This can be done for a small fee by registering to check online.
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Insolvency and Trustee Service
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www.insolvency.govt.nz
Phone: 0508 INSOLVENCY (0508 467 658)
The Insolvency and Trustee Service (ITS) deals with bankruptcies, no-asset procedures, summary instalment orders and some company liquidations. Information about those processes is available on its website. The ITS is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
