4 Things You’ve Heard About Fast Loans That Are Unfounded

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When you’re finding your usual monthly budget isn’t quite going as far as it needs to, a fast payday loan could be the best way to get you to your next payment from work. You’ve probably heard a whole bunch of things about these kinds of fast payout loans from friends or family and wondered […]

How a Cash Advance Can Help You After a Disaster

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In 2017, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released a statement claiming that that nearly 1 out of every 3 Australian households was over-indebted. That number that has grown by 8% from 2003 – 2016. Being in debt is difficult on its own, but imagine being in debt when a natural disaster strikes. Earthquakes, floods, destructive winds, road […]

Why No Credit Check Loans are Your Solution to Unexpected Expenses

Loan agreement on a table and dollars.

Nearly 1 out of every 5 Australians would struggle to come up with $500-$1000 to cover an emergency expense. That means when a tyre pops, an injury occurs, or a roof needs repair, almost 20% of the country is left scratching their head, wondering what to do. For many people, the solution to this problem is obtaining […]

Common Requirements for Fast Cash Loans

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With more Australians than ever currently in debt, chances are that there have been a few times in your life when you just wish you could get your paycheck early. Maybe you need to make an important purchase. Perhaps you’ve been faced with unexpected medical challenges, are currently unable to work, or just need a little help […]

How to Get More Value From Your Paycheck Advance

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This just in: Australian household debt is at a record high. The report also mentioned that 30% of Australian households are in some sort of financial stress and that the country is going to go through a debt hangover according to the Financial Counselling Australia. To say that it’s not looking good for a lot […]

NOTIFICATION OF MISCONDUCT BY CIGNO AUSTRALIA

Ordered by the Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia has found that Cigno Australia Pty Ltd (Cigno Australia) and BSF Solutions Pty Ltd (BSF Solutions) have breached the law by engaging in unlicensed credit activity and charging prohibited fees.

In the period from July 2022 to 3 October 2023, over 100,000 consumers have been lent a total of $34 million, and charged fees of over $70 million, under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’ operated by BSF Solutions and Cigno Australia. At no time has either BSF Solutions or Cigno Australia held an Australian Credit Licence.

The Court also found that Mark Swanepoel (director of Cigno Australia) and Brenton James Harrison (director of BSF Solutions) were involved in these breaches of the law.

With effect from 24 May 2024, the Court has granted permanent injunctions preventing Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions from:

  • demanding, receiving or accepting fees or charges, including amounts of loan principal, from consumers in relation to credit provided under the ‘No Upfront Charge Model’; and
  • engaging in further credit activity pursuant to the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’, including by entering into new agreements with consumers, for so long as they do not hold an Australian Credit Licence.

Cigno Australia was ordered by the Court to, by 5th July 2024, send written communications to consumers who between July 2022 and December 2022 entered into agreements with Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’.

The Court will later determine whether (among other things) Cigno Australia and Mark Swanepoel ought to pay a pecuniary penalty in respect of this conduct, and whether Mark Swanepoel should be restrained from carrying on a business engaging in credit activity.

Cigno Australia, BSF Solutions, Mr Swanepoel and Mr Harrison intend to appeal the decision of the Court and have filed an application for leave to appeal. If the appeal is successful, some or all of the orders of the Federal Court of Australia may be set aside.

Where can you get more information?

Where to go for further support

You can access legal advice in your state at: Free legal advice – Moneysmart.gov.au.

If you are experiencing trouble with debt, or money worries in general, contact:

  • the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or online chat (9:30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

If you need someone to talk to, contact:

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or their crisis support online chat or
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 (24 hours) or their webchat