If anyone has a problem with Collection Agencies, here is the info for the BPCPA

Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority

Phone: 604.320.1667 Fax: 250.920.7181

Toll Free in BC: 888.564.9963

Web: www.bpcpa.ca

info@bpcpa.ca

Well said Celia,
I'm impressed that you've done such thorough homework.

BBB is another place that you can complain about collection agencies.

I would ask the collection agency where you agreed to pay them that type of interest on that debt. Where is your agreement with them that says you owe them any money in the first place.

It always amazes me that collection agencies feel they can charge interest on debts outstanding. I am always curious to know where anybody has signed a contract with a collection agency saying they owe them any money.

That sort of thing boggles my mind.

Good for you for checking out their BBB history. I encourage more people to complain to th Better Business Bureau regarding all problematic collection agencies.

CBV collections is also jerking me around. My bank actually contacted me mentioning that there is a supposed SIX DOLLARS and some odd cents due to CBV. When I called the first time, they confirmed this amount. When I called back to get mailing information, the person I spoke with said that over three years, this six dollars has been increased to over 97 dollars. They have refused my right to receive my information on my billing statement and such. The law here in Alberta says that 1) they have to provide me with my own information (FOIPP) and 2) that they have gone over the legal interest rate (Fair Trading Act). As such, I have sent in a dispute regarding all of this. In my personal opinion, this is one of the most scandalous companies that I have ever heard of. PLEASE BEWARE!!! Here is the information I have received fromt he Better Business Bureau as of today:

Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record

BBB Definition:

satisfactory record - A business identified in our report as satisfactory has, based on Bureau files, been in business for at least one year, and has voluntarily provided the Bureau with all information requested about the business and its product or service. If any complaints have been received about the business, their number has not been considered by the BBB to be extreme, given the nature of the company's business and the volume of business transacted. Complaints are also generally typical of what might be expected for this type of business. A business stated to be satisfactory has not been the subject of any recent law enforcement actions concerning its dealings with the public. If the business has been contacted by the BBB about its advertising or selling claims, it has modified or substantiated its practices to the Bureau's satisfaction. In addition, the BBB has a clear understanding of the company's business, and the business is not in an industry which has raised significant marketplace concerns.

with the Bureau. A satisfactory record

BBB Definition:

satisfactory record - A business identified in our report as satisfactory has, based on Bureau files, been in business for at least one year, and has voluntarily provided the Bureau with all information requested about the business and its product or service. If any complaints have been received about the business, their number has not been considered by the BBB to be extreme, given the nature of the company's business and the volume of business transacted. Complaints are also generally typical of what might be expected for this type of business. A business stated to be satisfactory has not been the subject of any recent law enforcement actions concerning its dealings with the public. If the business has been contacted by the BBB about its advertising or selling claims, it has modified or substantiated its practices to the Bureau's satisfaction. In addition, the BBB has a clear understanding of the company's business, and the business is not in an industry which has raised significant marketplace concerns.

means a company has been in business for at least 12 months, and properly addressed matters referred by the Bureau. The company does not have an unusual volume of complaints, or any government actions involving its marketplace conduct. The Bureau understands and has no concerns about the company's products, services and type of business.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

The Bureau processed a total of 17 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 17 complaints closed in 36 months, 6 were closed in the last year.

Billing or Collection Issues

BBB Definition:

Billing or Collection Issues - Claim alleging billing errors, unauthorized charges, or questionable collection practices.

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

5 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

4 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.

Customer Service Issues

BBB Definition:

Service Issues - Claims of alleged delay in completing service, failure to provide promised service, inferior quality of provided service, or damaged merchandise as a result of delivery service.

BBB Definition:

Customer Service Issues - Claims alleging unsatisfactory customer service, including personnel's failure to provide assistance in a timely manner, failure to address or respond to customer dissatisfaction, unavailability for customer support, and/or inappropriate behavior or attitude exhibited by company staff.

Resolved

BBB Definition:

Resolved - The company resolved the complaint issues.

8 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

Additional DBAs, Addresses and Telephone Numbers

Additional Phone Numbers

(800) 263-8788
(800) 667-1964
(800) 263-8781
(604) 661-7901
(604) 691-2175

I have been dealing with CBV and getting the same threatening and harrassing phone calls. Maybe this will help. Just yesterday they called me at work 6 times and I finally got sick of it so I called Consumer Services and explained the situation and they said they would check to see if they are even licensed to collect. My situation may be different as I live in the Yukon but it turned out that Jeff Ranger and Derek Boucher of CBV Collections are not licensed to collect in the Yukon and Consumer Services stated they will be calling CBV and sending them a letter that will be kept on CBV's file and Consumer Services will be making the complaint against CBV. It's important that you know your rights and be educated in what they are not allowed to do. Don't let them treat you like a child and look into your Consumers Protection Act where you are or call your local Consumer Services office. In order to sue them, you need them to violate a number of laws. You can also tell them that the phone call is being recorded (even if you're bluffing) and you can also say something like "the way you are threatening me is actually in contravention of section 72 of the Consumers Protection Act". However, you have to look into the laws in your province. I hope this helps somewhat and if it makes you feel better, you're not the only one having to talk to these arrogant assholes!!! They have no right to treat anyone like that.

They call me every 2nd day and have an irritating and loud snidely tone when they

leave a message....i called and a man answered and started to yell and scream at

me telling me that i go by an alias name and asking me details about all my other

bill collectors and i said that is not their business....he screamed in a loud voice

what am i going to do about it and then yelled at me that iam making car payments
just fine and giving preferencial treatment to them...well duh that is how we can go

to work to make money...plus my husband and i have been sick on and off with
many other difficulties which he could care less...then screamed what am i

going to do about it...then yelled that i should be served...i responded calm only

because i was so shocked and hung up and my husband called back to leave
them a message to say never to phone my wife again...the lady keeps calling
and says they will have to proceed but didnt really say what that meant...i dont

want to have to sue them, i just want them shut down....please help!