Hi
Monty stated that you do not have to deal with a collection company.

I have an R9 debt with Scotia Visa which I tried to pay off this morning directly with them. They first said they couldnt discuss or make an offer as the debt had been passed onto an outside collection company. I said I have a right to know if this debt has not been sold or just asigned for collection. They said asigned , but would check as they then said I could discuss settlement terms with them now. Hold the line, they then come back with,. Sorry we have a contract for collection with a company for this debt, and you have to deal with them. I then said can you give me the name of the collection company and the said they would not disclose this.

I have had a number of call from agents for this , the one time we were in my son answered the phone, he explained I wasnt in and the collector the said , do you know that your daddy owes lots of money and cant pay his bills. It was a witheld number .

This week I have had 2 calls from Natalie Law office.

Can I write to Scotia visa and force them to accept payment?
Is Natalie Law office a collection agency?

Hope this is the write forum.. First time

Hey Janet,
I understand that..

There must be some hidden legislation somewhere that allows governments to use collection agencies... I haven't seen it..

I asked a worker for the Manitoba government why he felt that he was able to use a collection agent to collect a parking ticket from my client. He said, "we're the government, we can do what ever we want!"

That doesn't settle well with me.

Monty that is how it works in saskatchewan as well. If the ambulance is called for you, then you pay.

That's an interesting case, because there is no law saying you have to deal with a collection agency.

There is no contract in place between you and the City for the amount?

I'd be curious to know how the City of Calgary thinks you should owe them this money.

And I'm curious to know how the City of Calgary can hire a collection agency to collect them money... since there is no contract in place..

I was knocked off my bike and a bystander called an ambulance. I didn't need treatment and refused transport to a hospital. I walked home and used a couple of bandaids.

A few weeks later I received an ambulance bill from the City of Calgary for $153. I called the City and ended up spending a lot of time on hold. So I dropped the matter.

Recently I started getting calls from SEVERAL collection agencies demanding payment. I told them all, politely, that I had never called or ridden in an ambulance in my life. Their calls became very insistent and persistent. I work at home and found the distraction very irritating. I learned a few useful things however.

Collection agents will talk your ear off if you permit them. Don't get sucked into lengthy word games with them. Don't believe a word they tell you.

The only thing they care about is you paying so they can get a commission.

They can and will tell you any lie to get you to pay.

They will suggest you "just put it on your credit card." DON'T DO THIS! Once they have your card number and expiry date, expect more charges.

Beware of a "negotiated settlement." That agreement is only with them, not the actual creditor. You may get more calls demanding the residual.

I could go on in length.

A collection agent is just a commission employee sitting in a cubical in front of a computer and wearing a phone headset. They dial-up every name and number that comes up on the screen and deliver the same script.

They can't send you to jail for owing money. Every province has legislation and agencies to complain to about them.