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On June 25, 2026, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) commenced Federal Court proceedings against debt-collection agency ARMA Group Holdings Pty Ltd (ARMA) and legal practice Force Legal Pty Ltd (Force Legal), both owned by Credit Clear Limited. The ACCC alleges that ARMA and Force Legal sent more than 320,000 misleading debt enforcement notices to consumers via email, letter, and text message over three and a half years, breaching the Australian Consumer Law. The ACCC alleges that ARMA's notices misrepresented that debts were due and required payment when the debts were either no longer outstanding or statute-barred. Force Legal allegedly sent letters containing misrepresentations about escalation steps and consequences of non-payment, including false claims that it was independent of ARMA, had received instructions to commence legal action when it had not, and that consumers might face wage deductions without court hearings. The notices allegedly caused extreme emotional and financial stress, potentially leading consumers to make unnecessary payments. ARMA used semi-automated processes and pre-loaded templates to issue communications, while ARMA employees arranged for letters on Force Legal's letterhead to be sent to consumers. The companies were enforcing debts for gyms, energy and telecommunications companies, education providers, health and medical providers, and other service providers. The ACCC is not alleging that ARMA's clients breached consumer law or were aware of the conduct. The investigation began following complaints from more than 400 customers. The ACCC is seeking pecuniary penalties, declarations, injunctions, consumer compensation, and other orders. The maximum penalty for each breach increased on November 10, 2022, to the greater of $50,000,000, three times the reasonably attributable benefit obtained, or 30 percent of the corporation's adjusted turnover. Consumers affected by similar conduct are encouraged to seek assistance through agencies listed on the ACCC website.