Debt collection in Canada: What collectors can and can’t do Dec 15th

Debt collectors are obligated to follow specific rules about how they make contact and what information they can request; however, many Canadians aren’t sure where the line is between legal collection practices and harassment.

Knowing these rules and what rights you have can turn a stressful situation into something you can handle with confidence. In this article, we’ll explain what debt collectors are allowed to do, red flags to watch out for, and steps you can take to protect yourself.

Why debt collectors are calling you

If a debt collector is contacting you, it usually means your account has passed the stage where the original lender can recover the money themselves. In Canada, creditors such as banks, credit card companies, and utilities typically begin with their own internal collections department when payments are missed…