The exact same thing happened to me two years ago.

They called me at work to say that I owed them money--in relation to a fee from Rogers. They told me it was 2 years over-due from an old address. I told them I had paid all of my Rogers bills early, and no knowledge of this fee. I also asked why 2 years has passed that they contact me now?

When I tried asking questions, I was repeatedly interrupted with "The payment is over due". So, worn out and fearful that their threats of wrecking my credit rating, I paid the fee they wanted.

I regret doing so now. Even after I paid when they kept hounding me, there is still an alert on my credit!!

If IQOR ever contacts me again, I will hang up the phone promptly. They should have contacted me in writing. Collecting over the telephone seems very shady.

Sometimes, when the address provided by the client (Rogers in this case) is outdated, the letter is sent to that address, and the ebtor does not receive. I am not claiming it is legal, but it is common practice in these cases that:

1. If the debtor even mentions a letter, we confirm his new address and send it ASAP, then wait a reasonable delay to contact again. (Usually 7 work days).

2. If the debtor confirms his identity and agrees to talk to us.... meh, we often do so, with or without letter, which is (I'll admit) on the very verge of legality. By not mentionning a letter, either we can safely assume he has received it and claim ignorance, or that the debtor agreed to bypass his right to receive a letter, which is often quite a stretch.

Sadly, we assume that if a debtor does not know something is illegal, he will not sue, and go forward with said action...

-MaskedAgent

You've indicated that you are from Ontario, so have a look at the Collection Agencies Act, R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 74. Specifically, the section which covers the Prohibited Practices and Methods in the Collection of Debts:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_900074_e.htm#BK6

This is a teaser to get you started:

21. (1) No collection agency or collector shall demand payment, or otherwise attempt to collect payment, of a debt from a debtor unless the collection agency or collector has sent the debtor, by ordinary mail, a private written notice setting out the following information:

1. The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed.

2. The balance owing on the debt.

3. The identity of the collection agency or collector who is demanding payment of the debt.

4. The authority of the collection agency or collector to demand payment of the debt. O. Reg. 103/06, s. 2.

Please help guys. I need to resolve this asap.

Hi everyone,

I started getting calls from Iqor for a "debt" from end of 2007 that was sent to them by Rogers at an old address ( they have the correct address!).

I called Rogers and they said all my accounts are up to date.

Iqor insists that I have a $190 something debt with them.

I have good credit rating and have always paid my debts. I checked my credit rating and I do not have any collections listed.

So i guess my questions are

1) Can Iqor report this debt to credit agencies or only Rogers is the only entity that can do that? If yes, How long do I have until they screw up my credit rating? See # 2 below.

2) Should I just pay the bill to keep my credit rating as I am thinking of getting a mortgage soon.

3) How can I get Rogers to get Iqor to stop calling?

4) The last conversation I had with Iqor, I told the lady that I want proof that I owe hem that much and she said that they will send a letter stating that I owe them $190 and that this will screw up my credit rating. Can they just say, I owe them money without even the stating Rogers account #?