Bill Collectors and the Collection Agencies Act - How to Stop Collection Calls
- Author Michael Goldenberg
- Published April 29, 2012
- Word count 617
If you default on payments to creditors the first people you are likely to hear from are bill collectors. Bill collectors are collection agents who work for collection agencies. Having a debt in collections can be stressful and may leave you wanting to figure out how to stop the collection calls from bill collectors.
In Ontario, collection services agencies and bill collectors are regulated by the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services are have to follow laws outlined in the Collection Agencies Act. You can view the Collection Agencies Act on the E-Laws website.
The Collection Agencies act was put in place to establish guidelines to put a stop to improper collection action on the part of Collection Agencies. In the past collection agencies would cross the line, harassing people who owed their client’s money, beyond ordinary collection calls to the debtor. This led the government to take action and establish limits for bill collectors.
The first step a collection agency must take when a debt is assigned to them for collection is to send you a written notice through the mail (email doesn’t count). This notice must include:
-
The name of the creditor (the person or business that says you owe them money)
-
The amount the creditor says you owe
-
The name of the collection agency and its authority to demand payment on behalf of the creditor.
There are limits to how, when and how often bill collectors are allowed to contact you. Bill collectors are not allowed to contact you by telephone more than three times in a seven day period without your express permission. This includes speaking with you or leaving you a voicemail.
The Collection Agencies Act also outlines that a collection agency or its bill collectors cannot:
-
Call you on Sunday, except between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
-
Call you on any other day of the week between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
-
Call you on a statutory holiday
-
Use threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language, or
-
Use undue, excessive or unreasonable pressure.
A bill collector representing a collection agency can contact your employer once to obtain your employment information. Otherwise, they cannot contact your employer unless:
-
Your employer has guaranteed the debt
-
The call is in connection with a court order or notice of garnishment that has been issued by the creditor they are representing
-
You have provided written authorization to contact your employer
Under the Collection Agencies Act a bill collector representing a collection agency cannot contact your spouse, a member of your family or household, or a relative, neighbour or acquaintance or any other third party, except to obtain your address and telephone number, unless the person contacted cosigned or guaranteed the debt or you have provided permission for the person to be contacted.
Finally, under the Collection Agencies Act a bill collector representing a collection agency cannot:
-
Give false or misleading information to any person
-
Recommend to a creditor that a legal action be commenced against you without first sending you notice.
If you want to stop collection calls there are two ways to do it.
Write to the collection agency and advise them that you only want to receive future communications from them in writing.
If you cannot pay the debt owed to the creditor that the collection agency is representing you can also participate in a Federal Government Program which will not only provide immediate debt relief but will also stop collection calls.
If a bill collector representing collection agency is harassing you or is exhibiting behaviour in contravention of the Collection Agencies Act you can make a complaint against through the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services.
Michael Goldenberg is the founder and President of DebtCare Canada. DebtCare Canada helps people who struggle with financial problems. For more information about Michael or the services offered by DebtCare please visit www.debtcare.ca, www.debtcareservices.ca or call 416-907-2582.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Checking account with cell phone protection!
- Keeping Cool This Summer: Air Conditioning Installation Services in Milwaukee
- A DIY Guide to Fixing Your Garage Door (with a Call to Garage Door Magnolia When All Else Fails!)
- Can a Bent Garage Door Be Bent Back into Shape? Don't Panic, Call Kiki Garage Door!
- How Can I Tell If My Garage Door Opener Sensor Is Bad?
- Maximizing Profitability: The Economics Behind Customizable Design Assets
- Exploring the Hidden Gems of Si Racha, Thailand
- DIY vs. Professional Movers: Pros and Cons in 2024
- MK Web Celebrates Top Position in Bourne's Premier Web Design Rankings
- The Road to Sobriety: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- MotorKote Ultimate 40/60 Synthetic Hyper Mix 5W-30
- Exploring Denver on a Dime: A Frugal Travel Guide
- Top 10 Ways Production Scheduling in Business Central Transforms Manufacturing
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- The 12 Steps Narcotics Anonymous Program To Recovery
- Send Money to Tanzania: Effortless Transfers with SafariRemit
- Stylish Savings: 10 Frugal Ways to Stay Fashionable in 2024
- Fly Cheap With FlightPapa To Any City
- How Collaborating with a Software Development Company Can Propel Your Business Forward
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Method
- 15 Frugal Tips for a Memorable Wedding Day
- Credit Union vs. Bank