Incomedirect Reviews 23

Like everyone else that has complained about Income Direct on this site, I just received a reply from them regarding our investments, stating that they acknowledge our extremely poor reviews and that they are working with their legal advisers to address our concerns. They also state that "since early 2026 the company discontinued onboarding new clients whilst this was being resolved". Although they do state NEW clients, I'm just wondering why I was sent an email from the new Executive Chairman on the 27th of April 2026 offering me a short-term allocation with a minimum investment of $50k. What an insult to my intelligence to think that I would even consider investing a further $50k after my mother invested $220k of which she will never now get to see (she passed in March). I replied to the executive chairman's offer but have yet to receive a reply (nor have I seen my mother's investment returned which was requested last October in accordance with Income Direct's guidelines) - I'm not holding my breath for a reply anytime soon.

This is my response after seeing all the others getting the same generic email.
Income direct should have paid me on maturity. Maturity in my case was before the so called action of Westpac as reported by Income direct.
So I would challenge your response that the funds were frozen as I was not paid in accordance to the maturity date.

My husband and I have found ourselves in exactly the same position with no payments made for the last two months. We have had no response to our e-mails to Income Direct and our account managers e-mail is no longer active. We are visiting family in the UK at present which has made contacting Income Direct and solicitors difficult.
Kyalla Bardney-Battaglia, would you feel comfortable sharing the business address for your parents’ solicitor? You also mentioned sharing the records from ASIC.
We would be keen to join a class action but could not find Jodie Maree on Facebook.

Dear Anne, I am open to sharing our details and joining a class action- how do I find you? Income Direct don't respond to emails or communications about non-payments of dividends or letters of demand to return funds to charities/NFPs. Warning investors don't put your money here. We haven't seen our charities money, they are not members of AFCA and have no principles. Answer our emails and return our charities money immediately.

I’ve had EXACTLY the same experience as everyone else. Each review is exactly what I have experienced too. Investing with them has been the biggest mistake I have made!!!

Follow-up review for information purposes only

This is a follow-up to my previous review and is based on information I have personally confirmed or obtained from available records.

Income Direct’s published contact number, 1300 798 334, appears to be answered by an off-site virtual reception / answering service. Calls are taken as messages, but in my experience, return calls have not been received.

I have also confirmed that Income Direct staff may attend and work from the Marbanc International address at Level 8, 179 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

However, Income Direct Australia Pty Ltd’s ASIC registered office is listed as:

Level 14, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

I understand this address operates as a virtual office / mail-handling address.

For anyone serving a formal demand, default notice, or other legal notice, I strongly recommend checking your own Bill Facility Agreement, especially the Notices clause. In the agreement I have reviewed, clause 13 deals with notices and refers to the address and email details set out in Schedule 1.

Accordingly, any person in a similar position should carefully check their own Schedule 1 and consider sending notices by all available methods, including the Schedule 1 email address, any other known Income Direct email addresses, and registered post to the ASIC registered office.

I also recommend that affected investors consider lodging a report with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), especially where payments have been missed, communication has stopped, or where Income Direct has referred to issues such as “liquidity” or banking problems as the reason payments or funds cannot be returned.

This review is not legal advice. Anyone affected should obtain independent legal advice and keep copies of all documents, emails, call logs, payment records, formal notices, and proof of service.

Anyone affected is welcome to connect with me on Facebook: Kosiaa Unsi.

My experience with Income Direct has been extremely disappointing and concerning.

Income Direct has failed to make agreed monthly interest payments under my facilities for multiple months now. I have attempted to resolve the matter directly and have provided them with more than enough time to respond, explain their position, and remedy the missed payments.

I have now had to issue formal written notices, including a notice of default and a letter of demand. Despite this, the matter remains unresolved and I am now seeking legal advice regarding recovery action.

The lack of clear communication and failure to meet payment obligations has caused significant concern. This is not what I expected from a company promoting fixed income facilities and regular monthly interest payments.

Based on my experience, I would urge others to be extremely cautious, and stay away.

This review is based on my personal experience and the steps I have taken to try to resolve the matter professionally before considering legal action.

__________________________________________
Reply to IncomeDirect 25/05/2026

Income Direct’s reply states that the Company has experienced “unforeseen banking difficulties which has impacted its short term liquidity” and that it is “working with its legal advisors” and asks clients to “be patient at this time”.

However, this does not resolve the issue raised in my review.

Income Direct’s own contract states that “Interest payments are paid monthly in arrears by the tenth calendar day of the following calendar month”. The contract also defines an Event of Default as including where “the Drawer fails to pay interest in accordance with the Bill”.

The agreement further states: “This Agreement is governed by the law in force in the State of Victoria, Australia.” Income Direct’s own material also represents that the Bill of Exchange documents are legally enforceable and require Income Direct to meet its principal and interest obligations.

In my view, operational or banking issues do not remove Income Direct’s contractual obligation to make agreed payments. To date, I have not been provided with evidence explaining how the alleged banking difficulties prevent payment under my facilities, nor have I received a clear payment date, repayment plan, or enforceable proposal to remedy the default.

I initially raised concerns about from 10th March 2026 missed payment on 11/04/2026 as a 2nd month of missed payments had occurred. I then followed up on 21/04/2026 and then issued formal written notices, including a Notice of Default and Letter of Demand on the 22/04/2026 following a phone call when someone finally got in contact with me. Despite allowing a reasonable period of time for Income Direct to respond and remedy the matter, the issue remains unresolved.

There also appears to have been no proactive communication to clients/creditors about this banking matter until very recently. My concern is that clients were left to chase answers only after payments were missed.

I remain willing to resolve the matter professionally, but patience is not a substitute for meeting contractual payment obligations. Unless Income Direct provides a clear and enforceable payment solution, I will continue seeking legal advice and pursuing recovery of the funds owed.

keep away from income direct . ive been with them for over two years. B was my original client relation officer he said my investment was low risk,high return and soley owned by macbanc .monthly payments started off good as per contract then after a year delays started happening .so i contacted B he had left and C was my contact now .payments were hardly on time from here on , then C was replaced by J as my new contact . so come early january this year in rang J to organise paperwork for release of first investment only to find she also doesnt work there anymore .eventually i was put onto D and still to this day have had no written reply of my requests to get my first investment returned , or payment on my existing investment still with them or any 12.5% interest on the first investment. seems there is also no one located at there registered melbourne office . if you ring ,goes through to a home phone and everyone is always in a meeting . not getting anwhere with my contact D and income direct is still trading and also under (mb) private & macbanc. happy to join a class action. these actions really amount to a ponzi scheme . as we are all being left in the dark with no real truth coming our way

I would rate them zero if i could. Take your money and then don't pay you your returns. They have gone through account manager after account manager. You chase and chase and meet all your requirements but they reneg on theirs. Subsidiary of Marbanc and they have other offerrings under different names.
Be warned STAY AWAY

DO NOT invest with Income Direct Australia Pty Ltd.

I am writing on behalf of my parents who invested a large amount of money for a 3 year term commencing in November
2023. Like so many of these current reviews, the last 2 months of interest payments have not been made (march and April and expecting may). There was was NO communication via phone or email or any form of communication to inform my parents that the payment was not made. Total lack of transparency.
My parents had to send and email asking why.. the email reply was due to the Westpac court case as the company's reason for non- payment. To date there has NOT been any payment or further
communication, only communication via email (2 emails and the solicitor initiated these) between my parents solicitor and the company's Executive Director & Chief Legal Operations person who stated in the email

" .. we are working towards processing these payments as soon as possible and anticipate the sane to be made within the next 30 days.”

The Westpac case has NO bearing on the payments. Under the Bill Facility Agreement default payment falls under clause 11. Default.

Like so many of the other reviews, multiple phone calls to the customer service line got nowhere. A person answers and says the message will be passed on. No call back received.

To date we have issued a Formal Notice of Event of Default and Demand for Payment relevant clauses:
Clause 5.1
Clause 11.1(b)
Pursuant to clause 11.2.
This has been posted to the registered office by person to person. For anyone, the registered office has been changed on the ASIC records as at 29/04/2026.
For everyone, I have obtained the following ASIC documents:
- Change of registered office and Financial report for 2023-2024
The registered office is:
Level 14/333 Collins St Melbourne VIC 3000.

I recommend that everyone contact ASIC and make a complaint.
There are relevant sections of the Corporations Act 2001 that are relevant for a complaint. The more complaints the stronger the case. I also recommend
everyone make contact with the lady on FB who will be looking at starting a class action. My parents will be joining the class action. Happy to share the ASIC records.

I've just discovered that Income Direct has missed the last two interest payments on our fixed term deposit. Previous 14 monthly payments all arrived on time. They rolled over our 12-month term deposit without any reference to us. I have queried the company but been told they will call me back. I have read these reviews and am very worried. I see Jodie Maree mentioned a class action I would be interested in joining any class action. Is one in train? If so, how can I join? Alternatively, do we need to initiate one?

Hi Jodie,
I have tried searching for you on FB as having same issues however they have a lot more of my money and again its my SMSF so can't retire.
DB gives me the same run around - it's what he's been told I believe as I think there is a genuine guilt that he is feeling for all of us.
I have also attained legal representation and not even trying to contact them. You cannot get in touch with anyone unless you email customer service which will get you nowhere.
I'm so sorry you are going through this as I now know first hand how desperate this company makes you feel.
They are still advertising for new customers so they must be trading with liquid assets they are just choosing not to pay.
My interest ceased as soon as I gave notice after being paid my interest every month on time then bang no more money. I think they do this to keep customers happy so they don't pay them back but when you want your money back they make the call not to pay you.
I have no idea what thier motive is nor how they can live with themselves and/or why DB is still there if he is genuinely concerned with what is going on which he told me in my first conversation with him.
I'll let my legal team sort it out now.

Don’t go near them,
I’ve been with them 1.5 years. They are still trading and taking peoples money that they know they will never pay back. They are not making monthly payments to most people as stated in their agreement. It’s been three months now and no payments, the payments and constantly late. No extra interest paid for late payment and per t&cs
. No early realease is ever considered per their terms. Once they have your money you won’t see it again.
So many people not being paid. Now they are trying to trade in a couple of different names. MB private and the marbanc.
I invested a lot of money, please reach out we need to do a class action. Please search for me on FB. I have other contacts, you’ll find me under Jodie Maree, a scenic picture profile.
This was my SMSF and I can no longer afford to retire this year. This company is praying on the vulnerable.
They are also not in any office in melb as advertised. They also have one person manning the phone for new victims and one making calls to us vulnerable people trying to make out things are ok. LIES
I have requested information on where to address my issues to their legal team to no avail. But D B says I cannot talk to you as you have gotten a lawyer involved. But contined to withholds information on who the legal team are.
For those needing it, I have doing some investigating and this is them.
D M
at Mackay Chapman queen street Melb. But he also is not at the address which was in the same building and not answering emails. There is definitely a lot of unanswered questions.

I am a Board Member of a NFP and we invested $500k of Future Fund monies into Income Direct. It was for a 12 month period. Many Board members were nervous about Income Direct and resolved that the funds would be removed at maturity - Jan 25. That did not happen because the signed form was not in their hands on the anniversary date. We let it go and at the 9 month mark we requested all the information required to withdraw including a Board Resolution. Several Board Executives phoned in advance to ensure the withdraw notice was in their hands. So much so the GM phoned our GM and said "stop these people phoning me." The due date passed at the end of January 26 and due to liquidity issues the funds were not released. Our partial satisfaction is that we receive, without fail our monthly interest. Would not recommend Income Direct to anyone. SMSF's and NFP's beware!

I would like to warn all investors about what has happened to me with investing with Income Direct. I invested a large sum of money on a 12-month term deposit. I was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2025 & have been struggling since. My wife & I decide to downsize our present home. We put a deposit on another house of $90,000. We gave Income Direct the notice they required for us to redeem our money at maturity. We got an E-Mail to say the request would be sent to accounts. When the term was up no money came through. I contacted Income Direct by phone to be told that they were in (LIQUIDITY RISK) & payment would be delayed & this is the risk we have to take, that was in December 2025. We have been paid $20,000 out of $ 800,000. We have lost the $90,000 Deposit. When I told them about the deposit I was told apologies for the inconvenience.
Income Direct is a subsidiary Marbanc international

Our company is currently pursuing formal legal proceedings against Income Direct in relation to an unpaid debt of approximately $1.4 million plus accrued interest (in excess of $100,000).

This matter has been raised repeatedly over an extended period with both the company and its directors. Despite multiple opportunities to resolve the matter commercially, payment has not been made.

The documented steps taken to date include:

1) Numerous written payment requests
2) Direct communication with company representatives
3) Formal demand issued
4) Final notice of default issued to the directors
5) Engagement of external legal counsel
6) Filing of a Writ of Summons
7) Attempted personal service at the registered office recorded with ASIC
8) When our process server attended the registered office in Melbourne as listed on official ASIC records, the premises were found to be vacant at the time of attendance. Photographic evidence was obtained.
9) Under section 109X of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), service may be effected by leaving documents at a company’s registered office. We are proceeding strictly in accordance with the statutory framework.

Litigation of this scale is not commenced lightly. It is expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive. However, where substantial commercial sums remain unpaid and formal demands have been ignored, directors have governance obligations to address the situation appropriately.

The matter is now before the Court. Income Direct has 21 days from valid service to enter an appearance. Failing that, default judgment will be pursued.

This review is published as a factual account of our experience and the procedural steps now on record.

It is very strongly recommended that any party considering engagement with Income Direct should conduct careful and independent due diligence.

I finally contacted Income Direct 21 days out from when my 2 year term was due to end in order to find out how it would be paid. Before that I tried to contact my customer rep but her email address was no longer valid!
The new rep ( unknown to me) told me that because I had failed to request the capital return 30 days prior to the redemption date it would automatically rollover for another 2 years.
They were relying on a clause in the fine print of the application form that had the 30 day clause which I did not see but signed. The also rely on other terms mentioned in the sales brochure to invoke other punitive terms. They claim it was a legal agreement.
It is clearly not with no signatures or initials required.
So , according to them I know have a 4 year agreement! whereas all the initial discussion was about 2 years not a rolling 2 years.
But if the Board of Directors meet and review my request they may agree to pay me part or all of my capital but that will take 90 days to implement with no interest paid.
After several emails I am no further advanced so I have decided to warn other investors about the ethics of this crowd.
I am 82 years old and need the money now to live on. They assume I am old and stupid and will cop this treatment. They no not know I majored in Commercial Law doing 3 years of it as part of a degree, have a MBA and have consulted for a state body in a major legal dispute with large corporation.
They fail to understand that under commonwealth law they were obliged to highlight any variation from the original negotiated verbal agreement that was contained in the application form- the rollover clause hidden in the fine print.

Since my previous review in November I was contacted by Income Direct’s executive manager via a phone call. He said I can't put this in writing. His words were,"If you take all the google reviews down from Income Direct, Marbanc International and MB Private we will give you your money back over 2 payments, 2 weeks apart". He also said,"If you go through a lawyer it will take a lot longer for you to get your money back". I went home and took the reviews down. I received my money in 2 payments. Once the money was received I put reviews back up.

DO NOT INVEST WARNING
I invested in Income Direct Australia with a large sum of money in 2023. If you need your money back prior to maturity there is a clause saying up to the discretion of the board and chairman. Many have tried to get their money back prior to maturity and it is never approved (There are 2 google reviews that state this). Mine was also not approved when they defaulted on their contract. I was told you only have 2 months until maturity so just wait until then.
I filled out the form to have my funds release at maturity. I even received an email from the executive chairman stating that it was confirmed that redemption of my funds will be on the 25th of Nov as I requested. Well yesterday on the 20th I was called by my new account manager (5th one since March), saying I was not getting my money due to a bank being frozen and liquidation issues. They said they didn't know when id be getting it, but they could do small payments here and there until it was paid off called Tranche payments of which is not apart of my contract. I need my moneys paid in full.
In August when I first complained about defaulting on their agreement, I was told back then that the bank was frozen. On the 26th of Aug they said the bank issues were resolved. Now they are stating again their banks are frozen. I am about to go onto the disability support pension, and I need my money that they are holding to stop me becoming homeless. On their google reviews there is a person who can't retire because Income Direct Australia will not release her money early. This is my life savings and they have said they are not giving it back on the 25th of November.
I cannot see any other issues online re Income Direct Australia, but if I'm having issues I'm sure there are more. But another my account manager said yesterday was, if you complain to anyone it will take longer for your money to return if they get investigated. Another scare tactic to stop people doing anything.