Thanks footloose.

Thanks Footloose

All Debt Buyers fall under the Collection Agencies Act. The debt is no longer owned by the original creditor, it is sold to the debt buyer for pennies on the dollar and the debt buyer will attempt to collect on the debt. Even if a debt buyer only gets 10% to 20% on the face value of the debt, they have made their handsome profit.

If a Debt Buyer buyes a account are they under the Collections act?

With the exception of B.C., there is no current legislation dealing with harrassing phone calls originating from creditors. That means, the original creditor can call as many times as they wish and there is no restriction on the hours and days that they can call. However, all is not lost. If your account with the original creditor is between 90 and 180 days past due, it is normal practice that this account will be transferred to a collection agency. Now, as you know, once your account is in the hands of a collection agency, the rules of the game change because now they are governed by The Collection Agencies Act,

However, in the meantime, you or your mother have several options.

---- change the phone number to an unlisted number.
---- acquire an answering machine and attach it to the telephone.

Get one where you can hear the message being left. If your

mother recognizes the caller [friend, relative, etc.] then she can

pick up the phone and start talking
---- purchase CALLER ID from Bell Canada. I have one and I pay

$8.95 per month plus tax. If your mother does not have a

landline phone with caller ID on it, she can purchase a refurbished
phone from a Home Hardware store for $15 to $20 or a new one

from Walmart, Zellers or Giant Tiger. Believe me, it's worth every
penny. Because, I am visually impaired and certified as legally
blind by the CNIB, I purchased an audio device from the CNIB
[Canadian National Institute for the Blind] and it works terrific.
I can hear it anywhere in my apartment, and it announces the

phone number of the party who is calling. It holds up to 10 calls

and when I play it back, it announces the date, time and number

of the person who called. You also might be able to purchase
a similiar device from The Source or an electronic store. At least
your mother can decide whether to answer the phone if either you
or her recognize the number.
---- If you wish to speak to the creditor or later, to a bill collector,
press *67 to block your number before making your call. If you
have an unlisted number, it won't show on their call display

I hope that I have been some help to you.

Good Luck and have a GREAT DAY

Hi Guys: Any info would be helpful! I know 1st party collectors are not governed by the collection agency act. in ON but I don't know what act they would fall under. Help please!!

I'm trying to find info on first party collection calls: How do you stop the harassment? Mind you they're not a collection agency but the original creditors. Any info would help. Thanks.