Collection Agencies - Collection Agency calling at work? - Canada

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RE: Ho! Ho! Tee Hee! Hardy har har! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Postby Raymond » Sat Oct 04, 2008 06:09:58 AM

PS: Very funny except the joke's on us.

Here's what happens when you make a call or send a letter to Consumer Protection (aka Collection Protection). This is a reprint from blogger "Mirjm" in April, 2007. It's about an Alberta branch of the notorious collection agency TCR, but pretty well the same thing happens here when you fire off a letter to Brian Pitkin; nothing.

Despite all the kickbacks and other chicanery, not one collector apparently has ever lost their licence. And probably never will. So put away your pen and stamps.

Anyone want to place a bet about that collector that was "supposedly fired"?

Ray

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Hello, my husband & I did make a complaint about TCR to Corporate & Comsumer Affairs of Alberta last year. They were investigated & we proved that the collector, Giulia S., was unlicenced. She was supposedly fired after admitting that she had called 10-11 times if I remember correctly the same day within a short period of time. She called me at home & at work & had said she didn't think I sounded very intelligent. Well, firstly I'm far from stupid and secondly I didn't owe the money as it wasn't my account. They never provided me with a copy of their licence or a copy of the contract they claimed I signed.
Anyway after being investigated they turned the account over to another collection agency who in turn turned it over to another one.
I haven't heard anymore since I told them I wanted copies of the company licence for Alberta, the collector's licence for Alberta & a copy of the contract I supposedly signed & that all future calls would be recorded. The telephone company in Alberta said it is legal to tape phone calls as long as one of the parties know & that of course is me.
If I choose to, according to Consumer & Corporate Affairs, I can sue them for harrassment. At this point if they stay out of my life I will stay out of theirs but I will not put up with anymore of their threats.

This never was my account but it didn't matter what I said they said it was so I guess if nothing else it's taught me how to fight back. I also have copies of all correspondence & I kept a record of the dates & times of all the calls. If they start with me again I'm ready for them.
Marilyn

Raymond
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Province: ON


RE: Ho! Ho! Tee Hee! Hardy har har! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Postby Raymond » Fri Oct 03, 2008 06:23:48 PM

What rights do you have? Well, you live in Ontario, so actually you have a ton of rights - on paper. In realty, though you have no actual rights, unless you decide to sue. If you don't believe me call up the Registrar of Collection Agencies in Ontario, Brian Pitkin, who will tell you all the forms you need to fill out and then see what comes of it. Nothing.

Consumer Protection acts as a buffer and hence is more of a protection for collection agencies than distraught consumers. Just like the "Tenant Protection Act" would be more suitably titled the "Landlord Protection Act." Pitkin's direct office number on Yonge Street is (416) 326-8802. If you have some time to waste, give him a call.

However, the mindless zombies at MJR are pretty mild compared to most other agencies though.

Ray
Raymond
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Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:44:29 AM
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Ho! Ho! Tee Hee! Hardy har har! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Postby Raymond » Fri Oct 03, 2008 06:17:54 PM

"The Ontario Society of Collection Agents also has a Grievance and Ethics Committee. All collection agents are screened for honesty and integrity." They forgot "intelligence."

There are a lot of pointless websites on dealing with collection agents of which this is only one.

http://www.canlaw.com/credit/collectionagencies.htm

Ray
Raymond
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Collection Agency calling at work?

Postby sapphire » Fri Oct 03, 2008 01:31:10 PM

Came across this website a few days ago while in desperate search of info on my rights when it comes to collection agencies.

In a nutshell, I have MJR collections calling me on a regular basis (this began Mon. Sept 29), and apparently today they phoned my workplace and asked when I was working and what my schedule looked like. I spoke to them 3 times already and told them I am absolutely unable to pay them the amounts they are demanding and that I would need to wait until payday to give them anything, and have since decided to declare bankruptcy.

I've been advised to tell them of the date I will be doing so, however, will this stop their harassing and absolutely ridiculous calls? I have spoken to them without "losing it" or getting verbally abusive in any way, but in return have been dealing with being hung up on, yelled at, and comments like "Doesn't your family care about you? Why won't they lend you the money?" for one.

In my hunt for info regarding my rights, some have stood out:

collectors are prohibited from contacting you other than by ordinary mail more than three times in a seven-day period without your consent, once the agency has actually spoken with you

also prohibited from contacting your employer except on one occasion to obtain your employment information, unless your employer has guaranteed the debt, the call is in respect of a court order or wage assignment or if you have provided written authorization to contact your employer

Are they outside their rights here? I'm new to all this and am feeling quite rattled so any advice is greatly appreciated.
sapphire
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