It could have been worse; I could have used the "D" word.

Ray

Thanks for your response...at least you didn't use the "w" word. I like the odds...

We appreciate you telling us exactly what to demand from them the next time they call (a copy of the judgment they obtained or the Small Claims Court File number on it). They may stop calling but will, no doubt, continue with the letters. In that case, we will do as you suggested and contact the Small Claims Court if they send anything stating they filed a suit.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us exactly what we can do to try to validate their threats!

Sorry about that, it was late and I wasn't very careful about my last reponse.

Better, make that 1000:1

This is a real easy case and you're working yourself up needlessly.

Collectors will pursue people well past the SOL date as you can see from many of the other posts.

And now you fit their prime target profile since they know they have you bluffed, intimidated, worried and scared. They've noted that in their file and because they figure the prospects are good with that profile, they may well call you for a log time; UNLESS you take action. Then the calls can be stopped in almost no time. Blackflies will continue to swarm you until you swat them.

Also, possibly the clerk at your local Small Claims Court Office may give you the info over the phone as all civil judgments are a matter of public record.

Needless, to say, the very next time the collection agencies call, do only one thing: Demand to see a copy of the judgment they obtained or at least be given the Small Claims Court File number on it. If they balk and sidestep, their lie is immediately confirmed..

Ray

The collectors' statements make no sense and surely the pathological liars are are bluffing.

Go and visit the the Small Claims Court in the jurisdiction you live and check if any judgments have been registered against the name of your grandson. I'm betting 100:1 that there is nothing.

If so, tell them to screw off when they call. More about that later.

Ray

It is and we cannot get the parents of the kid he cosigned for to pay the cell phone debt their son ran up so the creditors will stop harrassing us.

It appears the debt has been turned over to Credit Bureau of Canada Collections and they're sending letters from lawyers stating if he disputes the validity of the debt they will mail a copy of the judgment (and he risks the local Bailiff/Sherrif serving him with a Summons to appear in Court...etc., etc.)

We were thinking of having him send a letter to request validation of the debt and to ask them to stop calling our house or sending letters to our address, but now you have us thinking that it may not be a good idea.

I know you keep saying don't worry but we're worried that some crazy Collection Agency might decide to make an example of our grandson in this situation by pursuing legal action.

So okay, if the likelihood of them taking legal action to collect the debt is next to nil, then approximately how long do these Collection Agencies usually go through the motions and use their scare tactics before they give up and stop? I know the SOL is two years...please tell me they're don't normally continue for that length of time.

This isn't about those idiots at CBV and your grandson's cell phone bill, is it? If so, don't worry.

In principle, a creditor or collection agency could sue in Canada by mailing via regular mail a Statement of Claim to your last known address. If you didn't file a Statement of Defence or show up to defend the claim in Small Claims Court they then could obtain a default judgment and then transfer the enforcement writ to where ever the person is living in the US - if they can find out where that is.

All this would be very time consuming and expensive and I can't see anyone doing it for only $1000.

Ray

If a person was being harrassed by debt collectors and they relocate to the US, can a collection agency still sue them? (The debt the Collection Agency is pursuing is approx. $1,000)?