Are you struggling with debt and tired of receiving constant collection calls and harassment from creditors? You’re not alone. Many Canadians find themselves in a similar situation, feeling overwhelmed and stressed by these calls. In this blog post, we’ll provide some guidance on how to stop collection calls and harassment in Canada.
Know Your Rights
First and foremost, it’s important to know your rights as a consumer. The Canadian government has established laws and regulations that protect consumers from abusive collection practices. These include the following:
Collectors cannot contact you before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time.
Collectors cannot contact you at work if you have asked them not to.
Collectors cannot use threatening or abusive language, or make false or misleading statements.
Collectors must identify themselves and the reason for the call.
Collectors must send written notice of the debt within five days of initial contact.
In addition to these federal rules, each province and territory in Canada has its own regulations governing collection practices. For example, in British Columbia, collection agencies cannot contact debtors more than three times in a seven-day period, while in Quebec, collectors cannot contact debtors on Sundays or holidays.
If a collector violates any of these rules, you have the right to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Branch of the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services in the province where you reside. You can find contact information and more information on the Financial Consumer Agency website.
Respond to Collection Letters
If you receive a collection letter from a creditor, it’s important to respond in a timely manner. Ignoring the letter will only result in more aggressive collection tactics, such as phone calls and legal action. Instead, respond in writing and request that the collector stop contacting you. You can use a sample letter from CreditLift [internal link] to make your request.
Seek Professional Help from CreditLift
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by collection calls and harassment, CreditLift can provide professional help. Our debt relief consulting services can provide guidance and education on all options to manage your debt and deal with creditors. With our help, you can take steps to stop the calls and get back on track with your life.
Conclusion
Dealing with collection calls and harassment can be stressful and overwhelming, but by knowing your rights, responding to collection letters, and seeking professional help from CreditLift, you can get out of debt and stay out of dent. If you’re looking for more information on debt management or debt relief options, visit CreditLift’s debt relief resources page [internal link]. And if you found this post helpful, please share it on social media [external link] and let us know your thoughts in the comments below [internal link].
