The new Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS), by Crisis Services Canada, enables callers anywhere in Canada to access crisis support using the technology of their choice (phone, text or chat), in French or English: If you, or someone you know, needs to talk please learn more at https://thelifelinecanada.ca
Notice to British Columbia residents: A debt collector can’t call your workplace, except in these instances:1)To ask you for your home address and phone number (but only if they don’t already have it); 2)To make one attempt at collecting the debt; and 3)To confirm your employment, title and business address with your employer. To learn more; https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca
Notice to Alberta residents: Alberta requires all collection agencies, collectors, debt repaymentagencies and debt repayment agents to be licensed under the Consumer ProtectionAct and theCollection and Debt Repayment PracticesRegulation. To learn more; www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca
Notice to Saskatchewan residents: Collection Agents are required to be licensed to operate in Saskatchewan under The Collection Agents Act. Visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2015/april/02/consumer-alert
Notice to Manitoba residents: It is against the law for a collection agency to threaten to repossess goods without having the proper authority to do so. Know your rights. To learn more; http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/cp/cpo/info/collection_practices.html
Notice to Ontario residents:
Debt Collection: Information About Your Rights
If you think that they have the wrong person or that the debt is incorrect:
Contact the collection agency and explain. They must take reasonable steps to make sure you are the right person to contact about the debt.
- If you are not the right person, they can’t keep contacting you.
- If you are the right person, but the debt is incorrect, you can take the following steps:
- If you already paid the debt, contact the collection agency and, if applicable, original creditor to correct the error. Provide supporting documentation if available.
- Check your credit report to see if the amount is correct and write to the credit reporting agency and provide the correct information.
A collection agency cannot do any of the following to you, or anyone else:
- phone on holidays, Sundays (except between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.), or on any other days between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., unless you request it;
- use threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language;
- use undue, excessive or unreasonable pressure; or harass you;
- contact you more than three times in seven days on behalf of the same creditor, subject to certain exceptions;
- give false or misleading information to any person;
- contact you in a way you told them to stop using because it cost you money; or
- charge you any fees, other than for non-sufficient funds on cheques.
A collection agency can contact the following people but only in limited circumstances:
A. Your employer
- once only to confirm your employment, business title or business address;
- if your employer has guaranteed the debt and the contact is about that guarantee;
- if it’s about a court order or an automatic salary deduction (wage assignment); or
- if you have given the collection agency written permission.
B. Your spouse, family or household member, relative, neighbour, friend or acquaintance:
- to get your contact information if the agency doesn’t have it already;
- if you asked the agency to discuss the debt with that person; or
- if that person has guaranteed the debt and the contact is about that guarantee.
To learn more please contact the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services at: ontario.ca/ConsumerProtection, consumer@ontario.ca
1-800-889-9768/TTY: 1-877-666-6545
Avis aux résidents du Québec / Notice to Quebec residents: (Loi sur le recouvrement de certaines créances (chapitre R-2.2, a. 34)
Le débiteur aura avantage à connaître la Loi sur le recouvrement de certaines créances et, au besoin, à communiquer avec l’Office de la protection du consommateur. (An Act respecting the collection of certain debts (chapter R-2.2, s. 34) It is in the debtor’s interest to become familiar with the Act respecting the collection of certain debts and, where necessary, to communicate with the Office de la protection du consommateur. Services de Crédit Générales Inc. /General Credit Services Inc, Permis/Permit: # 400395
Notice to New Brunswick residents: Section 14 of Regulation 84-256 under the Collection Agencies Act provides guidelines for permissible collection practices and prohibits a number of abusive collection practices. The Act also prohibits collection agencies from contacting debtors on a holiday. Collection agencies do not garnishee wages in the province of NB. To learn more; http://www.fcnb.ca
Notice to Nova Scotia residents: Need assistance? Visit; https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/individuals/consumer-awareness/consumer-loans-credit/collectors.asp
Notice to Newfoundland residents: The Collection Regulations Code of Practice. Visit http://www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/consumer/collection/index.html
Notice to P.E.I. residents: All collection agencies that collect debt from people in Prince Edward Island have to be licensed by the Consumer Services Section. Visit https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/justice-and-public-safety/collection-agencies-rights-and-responsibilities-consumers
Office of Consumer Affairs, Canada. Visit; http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/oca-bc.nsf/eng/h_ca02149.html