As part of our Q&A series, we are sharing some of the consumer questions we get on our blog and our answers, including some key takeaways. This week we’re talking about debt collection calls – a topic we hear about often. Find out how we respond when we get this question from consumers.
Q. I keep getting calls from a toll-free service multiple times a day and the caller never leaves any message regarding the call. I found out by calling the toll-free service number that it’s from Total Credit Recovery. I’m annoyed, stressed and angry and they have not left any messages about the call. Aren’t they supposed to leave any information about the call? What should I do?
A. Hello and thank you for getting in touch with us. You’re right – a collector must send you a written notice about your debt before they start calling you. But there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, a collector can call you to confirm your contact information. To learn more, you may want to answer the phone and speak with the debt collector to find out why they’re calling you. If you’d like written details of your debt, including information about the amount owing and who owns the debt, we have information to walk you through that process available on the Consumer Help section of our website. Please read through the page as we have a lot of valuable information there. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Key takeaway
Debt collectors are allowed to contact you about the debts you owe. While getting collection calls can be stressful, it’s important to remember that you have rights in these situations. The laws we oversee about debt collection in BC focus on when a collector can contact you and how they can communicate with you.
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
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Asking a debt collector to only communicate with you in writing: what you need to know
Things to know about BC’s debt collection laws
What would you do? A guide to being a savvy consumer: debt collection calls
3 eye-opening facts about debt collection
How to deal with debt collection calls (even if the debt isn’t yours!)
About Consumer Protection BC
We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
How many times is a debt collector allowed to call me in a 24hr period? If they exceed maximum number of calls per day, how do I proceed?
Hey Natalie, thanks for your question. There isn’t a maximum number of daily calls, per se – any allegations of harassment or excessive pressure are assessed on a case-by-case basis by our office when/if you submit a complaint. However, if you would like the calls to stop entirely, you can request communication in writing only, which should resolve the problem for you. We have a form to help you do this properly and steps to follow: https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumer-help/debt-collection/ .I hope this helps!