Question

How do I stop creditors from calling my number?  A collection agency called me at home this morning at 7:36 am.  Are there no restrictions when they can make collection calls? 

Answer

The specific hours when a collection agency can legally call you will vary depending upon what province you live in.  Each province and territory in Canada has a law that sets out specific restrictions on the conduct of collection agencies.  As a general rule, these laws only apply to collection agencies.  They do not appy to collectors employed by your creditor.  In addition. provincial law regulating the conduct of collection agencies does not usually apply to law firms in Canada, a few of which operate like a traditional collection agency.

The first four chapters of my book titled A How-to Guide for Dealing with Collection Agencies in Canada (available on this website) sets out in significant detail how to stop, avoid or discourage collection calls.  You might want to consider obtaining a copy of this book. 

In the alternative, you may want to call me toll free at 1 (866) 996-9941 for a free 10-minute consultation to discuss your situation.  If you live in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, or Nova Scotia and you are receiving collection calls you may want to retain my firm, for a modest fee, to send a ‘cease and desist’ letter to a collection agency on your behalf.  Once a collection agency receives a ‘cease and desist’ letter from my law firm it is then illegal for the collection agency to telephone you–the collection agency is limited to communicating directly with my office.

Question

I received today a letter from a collection agency threatening to commence full legal action unless I pay them $1,700 due to them.

This is not a legitimate debt.  This alleged debt arose out of a misunderstanding over an apartment in Toronto which I thought had been resolved.

From the letter it appears that the collection agency has reported this debt to a credit reporting agency and is prepared to sue me in Ontario Small Claims Court.

What do you think I should do?  My wife is sick (cancer) and is staying home.  The last thing I need, given her condition, is to have collection calls being made to my home.  Thank you very much.

Answer

Your e-mail, which had to be condensed due to its length, raises numerous issues, too many to deal with on this blog.  I suggest you call my office toll free at 1 (866) 996-9941 for a free 10-minute telephone consultation.