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I too was going to mention Robodebt. In addition to wasting money, it caused all sorts of trauma to already vulnerable people - sadly in some cases leading to

by bxjx 4y ago

I too was going to mention Robodebt. In addition to wasting money, it caused all sorts of trauma to already vulnerable people - sadly in some cases leading to suicide (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robodebt_scheme#Allegations_of_misconduct https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robodebt_scheme#Allegations_of...). My team at GetUp built a tool to automate initiating the process of challenging these requests https://fraudstop.com.au/ https://fraudstop.com.au/

RileyJames 4y ago
I’d be very keen to know more about fraudstop. How it was built, the development process of the product and the green lighting of the project within getup. Was it internal only? Was anything open sourced? I’m aware of GetUp, but this is the first I’ve heard of a product they’ve developed. And that they have a team that’s capable of such developments.
defrost 4y ago
Good on you all for making tools to assist. Robodebt was brutal in it's application and general air of intimidation, I wasn't personally affected but I fielded a few calls on behalf of several people I knew who felt crushed by what for them were significant debts (several times any savings they had in situations where they had zero income over enough to barely cover very basic cost of living).
EdwardDiego 4y ago
Kudos to your team. ...and holy hell, they charged a 10% recovery fee? At least in NZ, when our social welfare system recovers an overpayment, there's no interest or fees. The only punitive measures used are criminal prosecution if you overtly committed fraud to a significant extent.
- thombat 4y ago
  The Deputy Minister of Information explains it well in Terry Guillam's "Brazil": INTERVIEWER: And the cost of it all, Deputy Minister? Seven percent of the gross national produce ... HELPMANN: I understand this concern on behalf of the tax-payers. People want value for money and a cost-effective service. That is why we always insist on the principle of Information Retrieval Charges. These terrorists are not pulling their weight, and it's absolutely right and fair that those found guilty should pay for their periods of detention and the Information Retrieval Procedures used in their interrogation. And later on a well-meaning guard advises the protagonist: Don't fight it, son .... confess quickly ... If you hold out too long you could jeopardise your credit rating.

by bxjx 4y ago

RileyJames 4y ago

I’d be very keen to know more about fraudstop. How it was built, the development process of the product and the green lighting of the project within getup. Was it internal only? Was anything open sourced? I’m aware of GetUp, but this is the first I’ve heard of a product they’ve developed. And that they have a team that’s capable of such developments.

defrost 4y ago

Good on you all for making tools to assist. Robodebt was brutal in it's application and general air of intimidation, I wasn't personally affected but I fielded a few calls on behalf of several people I knew who felt crushed by what for them were significant debts (several times any savings they had in situations where they had zero income over enough to barely cover very basic cost of living).

EdwardDiego 4y ago

Kudos to your team. ...and holy hell, they charged a 10% recovery fee? At least in NZ, when our social welfare system recovers an overpayment, there's no interest or fees. The only punitive measures used are criminal prosecution if you overtly committed fraud to a significant extent.

thombat 4y ago
The Deputy Minister of Information explains it well in Terry Guillam's "Brazil": INTERVIEWER: And the cost of it all, Deputy Minister? Seven percent of the gross national produce ... HELPMANN: I understand this concern on behalf of the tax-payers. People want value for money and a cost-effective service. That is why we always insist on the principle of Information Retrieval Charges. These terrorists are not pulling their weight, and it's absolutely right and fair that those found guilty should pay for their periods of detention and the Information Retrieval Procedures used in their interrogation. And later on a well-meaning guard advises the protagonist: Don't fight it, son .... confess quickly ... If you hold out too long you could jeopardise your credit rating.