Facebook Don'ts in Debt Collection

There's been some recent media coverage about ANZ & the Facebook Dont's. It's a timely reminder, especially after Facebook changed everyones privacy settings so they could be viewed by all (including search engines!).

Collections staff in Melbourne assigned to an unsecured debt portfolio created a fake identity profile on Facebook to obtain information on customers in arrears who had changed address without informing the bank. The fake identity - Max Bourke - never identified the bank or any relationship with the bank. This identity was used to send friend requests to debtors who would unwittingly accept these requests allowing access to their Private Information on Facebook.

ANZ have advised that this activity was not approved or sanctioned by the ANZ & is completely unacceptable.

Facebook has become a powerful tool in the corporate world, from Recruitment Agencies performing background checks on Facebook pages & advertising new products. This serves as a good example / reminder of what not to do with Facebook.