You have a debt with a collection agency, but you wonder if/when they are crossing the line. What rights do they have and more importantly, what rights do you have for managing the collection?
We answer your most pressing collection agency questions below.
- When can a collection agency call you?
There are laws regarding how often and what time collection agencies can call you. In most provinces, they can call between the hours of 7 AM to 9 PM, but it may vary slightly by province one hour each way.
In all provinces, debt collection agencies aren’t able to call you on statutory holidays, or after hours. If they do, contact your local consumer protection office to file a complaint.
You also have the right to ask the collection agency to communicate with you via mail only (no phone calls). Your rights to do this may vary by province, the experts at CreditAid can help you determine your rights regarding ending phone calls from collection agencies too.
- Can a collection agency call your place of employment?
Yes, a debt collection agency can call you at any known phone number if you have not requested them to not call there. They are not able to talk to anyone else about your situation or even ask questions about you, though. They can only ask to speak to you and then they must confirm they are speaking to you before they provide any personal information.
- How often can a collection agency call you?
There is a distinct number of times a collection agency may call overall or per day. There is a vague law stating that they cannot harass you, but what’s considered harassment is subjective. If you feel harassed, it’s important to talk to your consumer protection agency or a specialist at CreditAid to see what options you have. If you can show the collection agency what you can afford and when you can make payments, their phone calls may stop.
- How long do accounts stay in collections?
The exact time your debt can stay in collections varies based on where you live. In general, collections stay on your credit report for 7 to 10 years and this is even if you pay the collection. Working with a reputable credit repair agency, though, you can exercise your right to have the collection removed (legally) so it no longer affects your credit status.
- How do you settle your collection?
There are many ways to settle a collection, starting with verifying that it belongs to you. Mistakes happen all the time, and the collection they are contacting you about may not belong to you. If it does, there are ways to work with the collection agency to get them to settle for less than the full amount or to accept monthly payments so you can afford to pay your debt without putting yourself in financial distress.
Don’t try to handle collection agencies yourself – they can be ruthless and take advantage of you. Instead, let the experts at Creditaid help you. We’ll fight for your rights and ensure you come out of the situation with satisfactory results.