Are Skip Traces Legal In Canada? Collectcorp Collection Agency

Are skip traces legal in Canada? Collectcorp Collection Agency
I just received a call from an anonymous collection agency -CollectCorp 647-722-6009. BTW... 647-722-6000 is CollectCorp's admin office's number

The person calling was looking for, Robert Arnold Loree... which is not me. I don't know Robert Arnold Loree.

I asked the person calling if they were a collection agent. They replied that that was NONE OF MY BUSINESS.

I asked this person what their name/operator ID was. They replied that that was NONE OF MY BUSINESS.

The fellow asked me again if I knew Robert Arnold Loree.. I replied , "No I don't". He then said that because of the tone of my voice I must know who Robert Arnold Loree was... I said, again, NO I don't...

This went back and forth for a few minutes.. I was asking him if he was a collection agency, he was asking me if I knew this guy.

I explained that it was illegal for him to be asking for information about another person without that person's permission.

HE REPLIED: SKIP TRACES ARE PERFECTLY LEGAL IN CANADA!!
I told this collection agent that P.I.P.E.D.A. (www.privcom.gc.ca ) states that a company must get permission from an individual to collect or disclose their personal information. He replied, that skip traces are perfectly legal in Canada.

I strongly disagree that skip traces are legal in Canada.

I did a search for 647-722-6009 and not surprisingly this site comes up that this number belongs to CollectCorp. Also listed is the CollectCorp's main admin office at: 647-722-6000.

I spoke to Michael who is a collection agent trainer with CollectCorp. I argued these points back and forth with him for a few minutes and then he transferred me over to CollectCorp's compliance officer.

Joyce Morrison is Collectcorp's compliance officer/Manager of Regulatory Services. I told her my complaint, and she said she would take my name and number and get back to me.
I asked her for proof that the collection agent calling was licensed to collect in Saskatchewan. She couldn't tell me.

I asked her if she thought skip traces were legal in Canada.. She couldn't tell me that either without doing some investigations.

Joyce Morrison's - Manager of Regulatory Services for CollectCorp's phone number in Toronto is 416-961-9622. Her fax number is: CollectCorp: 647-722-6026

I asked Joyce how long it would take for her to get back to me. She said that she had no idea how long it would take... (Translated : NEVER)

I just put a call in to the Privacy Commissioners Office to inquire about the legalities of skip traces in Canada.

I also called Saskatchewan Consumer Protection to get a reading on if a collection agency can call and not say who they are or which company they are calling from.

So... are skip traces legal in Canada?
I am going to do some research and blog about that another day!

MY OPINION:
This was not a collection call to collect money from me. This was a collection call to do a skip trace on a person with the same last name as me. It infuriates me to no end...

Ha... this collection agent calls me on a blogging day!!

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51 Comments
On Oct 22, 2011, Elizabeth Said:
I ran a high-risk leasing program at a reputable car dealership. The initial credit application used has disclaimers that, after signing the app, allow for the lessees info to be used internally, used for credit checks, or shared with other lenders, creditors, or their agents (not sure of the exact legal text). The application asks for name, SIN, address, employment and banking info for all applicants, and 6 personal references, each with address and phone info. Between signing the application, and the Lease Agreement that follows, lessees give permission for THAT info to be used for the specified reasons (in addition to any other public info I imagine), within the legal limits of whatever laws apply. Example, as long as a dealership is collecting their own money (not acting as a third party collector) the Privacy Act applies, but the Collection Agencies Act does not. So only the applicable contacting guidelines need to be followed. Bottom line, someone performing a skiptrace may unfortunately have permission to use THAT info, but they still have their legal limits. And having permission to use the info doesn't mean skiptraces are legal. The dealership gave THAT info to licensed bailiffs¹, in order to repossess dealership-owned vehicles from all over the country, and the bailiffs advertised their skip trace services. One thing I do know, in Ontario agents cannot continue to contact you if you have told them that you are not who they are looking for, unless they have taken reasonable precautions to ensure that you are² (like verification of a reference given or co-signer) I should stop, but I’ll end with a few reminders... - Not all right's can be signed away, even with disclaimers, especially those in consumer protection Acts - Secured debt (car loans, mortgages) is different from unsecured (credit cards, most financing without a lien); and many debt solution plans only include unsecured debt - In a Lease Agreement, the lessee also gives the lessor permission to repossess the vehicle from wherever found (private property, gated communities, employer’s property, etc) which is another commonly debated issue with leased vehicles. ¹.I'll just say I think they use be called Ontario Bailiffs ².http://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/Pages/Personal_Finance_Collection_Agency_Rights.aspx
On Aug 3, 2011, YHWH Said:
Well, well, well..... such an interesting forum. Although, the ones that are on the side of the collectors are going to have a really rude awakening - and probably very soon. The collectors are going to end up - without jobs - go figure - then how are they going to pay for their debt??? Oh, I know, it will be handled as it should be -by the debtors. If anyone is interested - all who \'employ\' collectors: ie: collect corp etc - are on a \'pay if only\' commission - that is why collectors only get commissions. if anyone is again interested: the banks and or any debtors do not \'sell\' any file to these types of companies - no, no, no..... the collectors are only commissioned to \'help\' the debtor - the debtor does not \'sell\' anything to anyone except the debtee. collectors do not hold \'title\' to your debt. collectors do not \'own\' your debt. The debtor can at any time \'call back\' the debt when the collector has been unable to \'collect\' for them. Now, as I said in the beginning - think about this folks - collectors can only do this kind of job if there is something to collect - financially our whole system is going to change and drastically and very soon - countries are running out of \'money\' - get it. and: first - deal only with your debtor - no matter what - if you call at least once or twice a month and try to give them even $5 - the debtor - in front of a Judge - will be told that the debtee is doing their best and it will be thrown out of court - this is because you have shown \'Your\" willingness to and attempt to \'pay\' for your debt. That \'You\' have at least kept in contact and are trying to meet \'Your\' financial obligations. second: the debtor is only \'using\' the collector to do a \'hard hit\' - not very kind - collectors cannot demand any amount of funds from you - they can ask for a payment structure only - a judge will ask if you tried to pay any amount: ie: $5 - you say yes Sir ..... and then the Judge looks at the collector and says: \"So, what\'s the problem here.\" third: this is to all of you \'collectors\' - I feel sorry for you. All I\'ve heard is your excuses for and the reasons thereof ..... what you do is not a \'job\' - it is a low level, bottom feeding commissions only not-even-rated last attempt to find something I can make a buck at and anything I can find to do kind of \'thing\'. Truthfully, you might as well sell yourself on the street. There is nothing any of you can say that will change that fact. It just isn\'t a real \'job\' nor is it a real type of company. I see your advertising. It is all lies. collectors are just that ..... collectors. They crawl across the floor finding scraps to try to exist on. If it weren\'t for the \'third party\' position - I\'m so sure that the phone messages would be even worse and the actual phone calls that are answered would be even more disgusting. So, at this juncture, my advice to the company owners first and the people they employ second: you\'d better find a new \'real job\' for in the near future your \'bottom-feeding services\' will no longer be wanted..... by anyone!!! Thank you for allowing us this forum to express our most inner thoughts. It is very much appreciated, Sir or Madam. I think it is very important that each of us get a chance to hear what another has to say.
On Jun 21, 2011, RobBob Said:
Just got a double call from them. Get a call every day, usually dead robot air. Make a complain to your ministry of consumer services! If enough people fill out the online complaint form maybe CollectCorp will at LEAST get a letter or something.
On Nov 11, 2010, Vanessa Said:
if you are really so upset that people are calling you then change your number and make sure that your new number is not published so that people cannot easily obtain your number to call you again. Alternatively you can just chill out and explain that you do not know the person and to please not call you again. Be advised that surely there are lots of other companies looking for this debtor so the calls wont stop...ever...sorry dude
On Oct 8, 2010, Dale Said:
To answer your question Mr speaker. Yes skip tracers are legal through-out Canada under the government and collection agency acts. We pay for our licenses on a yearly basis, though-out every province in Canada. As a skip tracer for 17 years I have heard every lie there is and I know how to determine if someone is being deceitful over the phone and protecting the debtor or if in fact it is actually the debtor/customer. Speculating and pointing fingers on people about there place and right in society is something you need to correct. We are people of whom are family friends and fo's, such as the rest of the world. Let's take a close insight of what a collector and skip tracer really is and what good we do for our society and country. If there were no collection agencies then there would be no credit risk corporations. Which means that you nor your family nor anyone you have known or ever will know will own a house, property, credit card automobile or any type of credit essentuals. There would be no corporation willing to take your word that you will pay back your debt without any conseqence of collection effort on defaults. Aswell mr speaker being as the economy is bad as it is without bill collectors and skip tracers our life as we know it would come to a stand still. Sort of like when your hydro company has a major curcuit power failer. But there would be no turning on the lights again and fixing the problem. Taxes payers spend billions of dollars to help clean up other peoples dirt laundry and pay out of there pockets for other lazy people that don't wish to pay for their irresponsibilites. We are here to help keep our economy a float, keep people honest and make due with our brains and put them to the upmost tests and potentials. Know mr speaker, I think you owe that skip tracer an apology and a thank you for his/her efforts when trying to have communication with someone that is trying to rip yourself and every other Canadian off.
On Aug 15, 2010, Jason Turnip Said:
Having worked at that good-for-nothing company CollectCorpse, then you have nothing to worry about if your debt isn't astronomical. Simply ignore them time and again & watch the debt get written off and your credit cleaned after 7 years (if in US). If your debt is huge, then that's still not a problem as long as you don't own any assets. I've never worked for such a stupid company.
On Jul 16, 2010, terry Said:
we are more than they are lets group together and bug them @ collection company revenge
On Jul 15, 2010, Jason Said:
question for those who have worked for CollectCorp before or do currently: can CollectCorp give better debt settlements than 75% of debt owing. Closer to 50%? Also, do they actually take people to court for debt under $10,000 ?
On Jun 9, 2010, Dave Said:
yeah they're legal. although the agent not disclosing the name of the company is required by law. kind of a stupid name for the company but because it's "COLLECTcorp" saying the name notifies a third party of that the debtor is in collections, and it's against the privacy act the notify a third party of being in collections, only can speak with third parties to pass on a message or to get a contact number.
On Jun 2, 2010, STOP F\'N CALLING ME! Said:
I think it's important to note here in this "forum" that not everyone is running from their debts nor are they trying to hide. Assuming that they are not only is an unfair assumption but asinine in nature. Being trained to handle people as though they were chattel and demanding immediate agreements over the phone without proof from the caller that they are who they say they are is and should be met with caution from the person to whom they are trying to "swindle" into a verbal re-payment/settlement contract without actually telling the caller that is EXACTLY what COLLECTOR is attempting to do. Someone mentioned something about reading their credit card contracts, well, not disclosing that the attempt to/or success of establish(ing) "repayment arrangements" is a contract to pay the COLLECTOR everything they say they want is unethical and could be argued in a court of law as illegal regardless of circumstances or previous case law as none of that is binding to a judge in Canada to uphold (or dismiss) a contract. That only applies to Criminal court cases within the province in which such case law has been made or precedence within the Supreme Court of Canada applied throughout the nation of Canada. "Collector" states that being nice and not taking an aggressive approach to answering these unsolicited calls is the "right way" to respond. But unfortunately, people aren't stupid and know exactly why these mystery calls are being made. Let's not be naive. We're not little kids (although some may act the part by typing in all capitals). The argument was made that "We could be [Collection agencies] old friends from school," or some other bullshit line but the fact of the matter remains that if I knew you from school, you'd know the family and wouldn't, under false pretences, tell half-truths about who you were and the reasons behind why you wanted to get in touch with an "old friend from school" or yadda-yadda-yadda. Using the excuse "we can't disclose the nature of the call as it would be a breach of [some Privacy Act section]" is nothing more than a page out of a training manual used to loophole your conscience and brainwash you into thinking that if you hide behind some fancy jargon you'll dodge the law. That may be true, but I am certain that the average, intelligent individual you're trying to skip trace off of isn't as stupid and ignorant as you are lead to believe. Have a read on any Googled Collect Corp., NCO or other company and see that fact unfurl before your very eyes and be enlightened. But back to the "answer with politeness" issue and we get into the real meat and potatoes of this discussion. People hate, and I mean H-A-T-E, being bothered by some belligerent, crass and disrespectful ass from Toronto or Montreal or Halifax or Winnipeg, et. al., during dinner-time asking probing questions, arguing the validity of who they called really are and not get any information in return. Put yourself in the shoes of the called for a change! "COLLECTOR" said that they can tell in seconds if they are lying or not, well whooptiy doo dah! Anyone can. So they lie about who they are; big deal. So they get aggressive with you on the initial call; WHAH! Do you ever wonder why they might? I read a separate debate about why someone quit from Collect Corp and the reasons why they felt as though they had to quit based on what they experienced and were subjected to. It comes to no surprise to me [nor should it to anyone else here who took the time to read through the posts] that good collectors are AGGRESSIVE, HUNGRY collectors. Hmm. And someone said that people need to relax when a collection agency calls. Why? So that it makes it easier for the shark on the other end to feed? HA! Don't be aggressive with an aggressor? Guess what I'm thinking. It starts with an F and ends with U. People know that when a bill goes into collections, it going to be dealt with in a manner that is degrading, humiliating and without any compassion from the person handling the file because they work on commission/bonus (for the most part). I know. Been there. Done that. Got the T-Shirt to prove it. "erikalya" mentioned that people need to pay their bills. I agree. I do my best to keep up with my expenses and am diligent at watching what I spend but you cannot predict the future and no one should berate another by simply and in ignorance blurt "pay your damn bills". Easier said then done for most people. You do not know an individual’s circumstances. And that goes for all these faceless Collection Agencies out there that do not give a shit about people. They only give a shit about cash and keeping their human side out of the game so they can do their shitty job and go back to their homes and sleep at night. I wouldn't want that job. I wouldn't want to tell my grand kids that I made a living at sucking the joy out of people who fell on hard times, perhaps sick with cancer, MS, drug addiction, undergoing divorce, the loss of a loved one, garnishment, the loss of a job that once gave them the means to "pay their damn bills" and now have to prioritize their funds in order to feed/clothe/school three kids, keep the lights on and keep the house warm. So in summary, skip trace until the cows come home and don't whine like a little bitch when people get pissed off with your calls, attitudes, and unprofessional behavior. Suck it. It's your job. My debt is mine. I pay my bills. Generally others would love to if they could, to keep collection agents off their asses and out of their lives. When you skip trace, you fool no one, saying you are makes you an idiot.
On May 31, 2010, Kevin Said:
skip tracing is absolutely legal and what the collection agent did was perfectly legal. he did not disclose that he was calling from a collection agency, hence he did not disclose any third party information about the debtor. say for instance you are looking for an old friend or relative, you perform the same action by calling his/her friend so that you can find that person, which by definition can also be skip tracing. Even though it might seem annoying, skip tracing is a trick collection agencies created to track down debtors. There are no laws in Ontario that deem skip tracing as illegal. I worked at a collection agency for more than a year and I can recommend telling the agent that you don't know this person in a professional manner and also that you had this number for x amount of years and never heard of this person. By being polite and professional, in many cases, the agent will leave you alone and won't call you again. Again this is from past experiences.
On Mar 9, 2010, Monty Loree Said:
OMG... I just got another skip tracing call for Arnold R Loree... I don't know the guy. They shouldn't be asking me. That still makes me furious.
On Dec 22, 2009, erikalya Said:
Skip tracing=legal. This has been addresed.. and dammit. I have a feeling my roommate was charged off by CIBC.. I work in "collections" at a bank, way before accounts are deemed uncollectible and sold to collections, like CollectCorp.. So this suspicions kinda angers me.. People need to pay their damn bills. I also have CIBC calling.. Maybe CollectCorp has her student loan and CIBC still has her credit card... I really wonder. What kind of contracts does CollectCorp do?
On Dec 6, 2009, Me Said:
lol... just so you know... when you sign up for a credit card or loan you agree to that bank, company accessing information about you.
On Oct 25, 2009, zero x Said:
Alittle tip people.. at collect corp they will SETTLE if theres a lawsuite, no matter what time of complaint COLLECT CORP will not fight for it.. MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THIS.. I know cause i used to work for those aholes. So i say lets bring on the lawsuties
On Aug 28, 2009, Kym Parts Said:
"And Collector are educated." Biggest joke of the day! The moron who wrote that rant can't even speak or write English. But of course that's why he is a collector - he's uneducated. Haha. What a loser!
On Aug 24, 2009, r1fl3 Said:
hahaha, collector B@#$#@# fight !
On Aug 13, 2009, Jay Said:
I guess the author of this post didn't get the answer he wanted, since it hasn't been updated.
On Jul 30, 2009, X Said:
I skip trace all day at work and BTW, if your name, phone # and address are ON THE INTERNET, it's a FREE FOR ALL! PLUS there is skip trace software that we use and 99% of the numbers are IN THE WHITEPAGES!
On Jun 29, 2009, N/A Said:
To many comments about Collectcorp. They are doing their job, is not blamefull. If you dont take your own responsability for your own account ,that means it comes someonelse responsability to take action. If happened to you to have a phone call and is looking for a person wich you dont know ,politely you can tell them that is a wrong number ,or you are new to the address ,and i dont beleve in fighting over the phone,unless someone is moody and doesnt feel to talk nice in that day and here is the war. Miss communication takes to the war. Tou have to be able ,or to learn how to take action fro your responsabilities. And Collector are educated. They cant have this job if they dont respect regulations and of course trained as well. People get immediatly scared when they hear about collection.But is collection agencies fault ,that you dont pay what you owe? You have to fair what brought you to that call from Collections! Sense of responsability is missing in the world. The responsability everyone understands in differents ways ,wich actually is ONLY ONE WAY. BE RESPONSABLE for your own mistake!
On May 29, 2009, Tammy Said:
Is this company really that bad. Is the salary that poor? I got a cal frm there. not sure if to go or not.. I work for 17.00 hr. and Mon to Fri- 8-5.. What are there hrs and pay like?
On May 15, 2009, the man Said:
RBC terminated their contract with Collectcorp. I was a long time collector. used to make nearly 100k per year. had one of the directors at collectcorp aggressively recruit me. worked at collectcorp in for about 3 years and then went into management where i stayed for 5 years before i left. We manipulated, fucked over and treated poorly more people than i care to remember. From benefits, to commission, to yelling, to firings. Anyone who says otherwise is delusional. The entire collections industry is shit. horrible places to work. the only thing that gets you hooked (if you\'re good) is the money.
On Apr 17, 2009, Nice Collector Said:
We have AMEX files, as well as CIBC too. You must be one of those collectors who steel good files from Quebec, leaving the collectors in Gatineau with nothing but crap, and then say they're a bunch of incompetents... Shame on you! And like I said, I was NOT fired, I left on the day I had enough of the lies and the false promises! Except for the branch manager, everyone else felt they were taken for fools. They're staying only because they have bills to pay. It's obvious we didn't have the same kind of experience with the company. But what I don't understand is why you are being so agressive. I'm starting to think you're more than a collector, but also in the administration, among those liars who change their word as they wish and who change the rules all the time. Anyway, I've wasted enough time with you people, I've moved on, so you can say all the b.s. you want, I know what I'm saying is true and I would never encourage anyone to apply for a job at Collectcrap.
On Apr 17, 2009, Collectcorp Advocate Said:
Dear Nice Collector, We refused RBC's contract since the paper was not worth what it was printed on. If you are so good I am very curious why they didn't keep you. Base salary is not something to be proud of. Collectcorp pays the best in the industry and that is why we have the top collectors. By the way we do have techom considering we have clients that use it. Shows how little you know. Does your company now have AMEX? We are good enough to have the best. You go back to making your entry level paycheck and keep hoping you could some day collect like the top collectors we have here. What colour was your chair???? If you were one of the best you would know what that question means. Good luck to your mediocre salary. Don't put John down since he did not want you there to begin with or he would have paid you more to stay. Don't worry Kingston apartments can be covered at NCO with your measley 1700 salary as a so called TOP COLLECTOR
On Apr 16, 2009, Nice Collector Said:
I was not fired at all, I was actually one of the best collectors in my department when I left! But the boss treated, as well as other people, like shit, so one day I had enough of being taken for a fool, of all the falses promises that had been made to me and I resigned by sending a resignation email to the manager. I don't even regret doing it that crappy way after everything I've seen there. Does RBC ring a bell? You probably don't see new business from them in the AS400 nor any techcom systems of the company because they are now into another company's system. I was still with Collectcorp when we were told we would no longer be working RBC files at the end of February because the bank had put an end to their contract. I was then told by a competitor executive that they had just got the contract with RBC that had been lost by Collectcorp. I gotta go now and collect more of the money you couldn't get while you'll be licking John Tilley's butt. (You should know who he is if you're such a sucker.)
On Apr 16, 2009, Colelctcorp Advocate Said:
oh by the way "Nice Collector" just for your information collectcorp has not lost any big clients we gained 4 huge clients so that shows how in the loop you are.... by the way all we lost was someone we were paying to sit around and do nothing, hence you needed to find another job.... congrats hopefully your new agency will keep you around when you collect nothing.
On Apr 16, 2009, Collectcorp Advocate Said:
Dear nice collector, collectcorp does not hire aggresive collectors we promote assertive collectors. The reason you are no longer with the company is probably you could not collect a dime. Collectcorp hires only the best collectors, hence you are no longer there. It is called collections not non-collections and remember if people abliged by their terms of agreement collection agencies would not be around. So I wish you the best of luck at McDonalds and hope you get an employee discount. Congrats on your future profession since you could not hack collecting money and were fired, hence the resentment towards collectcorp.
On Apr 8, 2009, Nice Collector Said:
And HW, I don't know in which province you live, but you can ask for this harrassement to stop by asking Collectcrap to contact you only by writing. See with your provincial consumer protection office what are the steps to take and file a complain against the company at the same time since they don't have the right to yell at you or threaten you. And even though they ask for full payment, they'll still drool over and jump on every penny you will send. ;)
On Apr 8, 2009, Nice Collector Said:
I know Collectcrap well since I worked there. They train their collectors to be very agressive and even ask them to break certain rules, such as putting relatives and neighbours on the dialer. They treat their employees with the same lack of respect at they treat debtors. They're making all kinds of false promises, they don't respect workers' legislation and will do anything to get rid of an employee who won't comply to their illegal practices or complain too loud about the way he is treated as an employee. I work into another agency now and it's completely different. We try to come up with a solution with the debtor instead of just yelling at him. And Collectcrap recently lost a big client to the company I work for now due to the way they treat debtors. And to the question, yes skip tracing is legal in Canada, every collection agencies do it. There are certain rules to follow though. They can't start harrassing 3rd parties for information on a debtor. (What Collectcrap does, obviously.)
On Mar 31, 2009, HW Said:
Can someone please give me some advice. We just started dealing with CollectCorp a week ago, it has been the most horrible service experience of my life. I have never been treated so bad, and talked to so rudely. They are demanding full payment, which obviously can't happen. We tried to get a loan and don't have credit to do so now. We are trying to negotiate a payment plan with a large lump sum, but "she" will not have it.. she has been verbally abusive to myslef and my family. Acutally SCREAMING at the end of the phone. No professionalism, no communication skills and no education obviously, although she states she is a lawyer...BULL. Please can someone give me some advice on what do to. I asked to deal with someone else there, but I am sure that they are all the same. What are my rights? What can I do from here. Thanks
On Feb 21, 2009, Need not know Said:
When you borrow money and lose your job and can't pay it back, although you signed an agreement to pay it all back by a certain date and you don't, if that were you lending thousands of dollars to people and the majority ended up not paying you back, would you all just get frustrated with your financial situation and use what means necessary to contact the people who can't or won't pay you back. Good thing these companies are not the mafia. Good thing no one is knocking at your door with a message or asking what size boots you wear so they can start filling in the cement. In all, they work for financial institutions that cannot afford to collect on their debts as well and efficient as they would want so they outsource to other companies who employ people with jobs who may have their own debts to pay back. Its a vicious cycle but it's life. Just remember spend only what you know 100% for sure you can pay back by the end of the month or just say no I do not know that person and hang up.
On Dec 17, 2008, Jill Brantley Said:
I am filing a complaint with the ACA on this same company, Collect Corp. They have been trying to collect on my mother's for which I have no financial responsibility. My mother is 83, in a nursing home and on Medicaid. No more money. She outlived her assets. Period. They started screaming at me that I admitted that this account was fraudulently opened by me and all the charges on here were mine and they were going to have to report this to the bank etc.....after which I hung up on her and blocked all the numbers she called me from. She then tracked down my sister and callled her and told her all about the debt and and that I was guilty of fraud and that money changes people so she needed to check up on what I did with all my mother's money. Hateful people .I do not know how they live with themselves. I called the bank and reported the abuse to them, they blocked the account and reported the collector. I am now filing my complaint with the ACA. Hopefully they are members.
On Dec 10, 2008, azzielle Said:
Just to clarify what the collectors are saying. In Canada and the United States , public records are available. These such records can easily tell what and where you have been ....also ....your SSN or SIn leaves a trail behind you and your credit report allows us to see everything that you have done since you had credit. Unfortunetly that is the way it is and if no one likes it then they should fall under a rock and I wish them the best cause a good collector will still find you there!. When it comes to collecting and skip tracing in Canada. I can guarantee you that everything that has to do with skips is legal. The issue ariises from people that take the time to fill out the application but like it was said ...they dont read the small print...lets face it everyone is guilty of doing so ! Point of the matter is that people are naturally nosey and want to tell the nice debt collector everything they know about the person that we speak of ..... Simple solution to it all If you arent the person that they are looking for...well simply say no ...ask for the name and number to the company ( they will give it to ya ) and send in a cease and desist and let them know that you really dont know who that is ..... If you are lying and you are the person that they are looking for ....they know it...collectors arent dumb...the sound of your voice says everything. Remember that it takes 30 seconds for you to form a opinoion on the person that is calling you ....but the same goes for the person that we call as well...we are by far very educated individuals
On Nov 28, 2008, T Said:
I am glad to know that I am not the only person who has had a negative, threatening, deceptive experiecne with CollectCorp,(based on Toranto Canada- 416 Younge St, Tornato ON M5B2E7). It is with utter disbelief that I have been agressively hounded by very rude and threatening people from ths company who insist that I am lying and that I am in fact the person that are looking for. These callers are well trained in deceptive acts to collect information to perform Skip activity in pursuit of the person they seek. I have no credit debt, but if I did it still does not justify the terrible behavior and poor business compliance acts that this agency employs. I am so distressed at the manner in which I was treated over the course of three phone calls and countless messages ( all threatening in nature) that I am taking my valuable time to report a compliant to the governing agencies in Canada so that Collect Corp will be made responsibily for their actions. This company is out of control and should not be permitted to be in business using these tactics
On Nov 20, 2008, Gord Said:
I understand that collectors have a job to do; however, the comment from M.L. Hamilton that he/she can tell if a person is hiding something by their 'demeaner' (sic) to be absolute crap. If you are hostile towards be, I will be hostile towards you. You cannot read facial expressions or body language over the phone, and noon-verbal responses are much harder to hide than verbal. If I tell you ONCE that I don't know a person, or how to reach them, then leave me alone. A second call is harrassment. And listen to the answering machine message, too- mine has a forwarding number for a previous tenant, but I keep getting collection calls for him. If you ignore that information, then leave me a bunch of hostile messages, you have just proven that you are too lazy to do your job properly. I'm not being paid to do your job for you.
On Oct 22, 2008, Pat Said:
It's illegal to type in someone's name in the phone book, see a neighbour and go hey I'll call them and see if they know this person and maybe can contact them for me. Yeah ok they cannot harass you but it's perfectly legal to skip trace in Canada as long as you don't "harass". Keyword is harass. If it was illegal than phonebooks and website's like canada411 and even google would have to be used on a pay basis to prevent people from accessing it. The rep who called you should of done it differently, I'm not justifying it but I am defending the collector's who do actually do it the way it should be done. I would of told you who I was, I would of given you my name, I would of asked you if you knew them and if you did than try to get you to take a message, if you said no well than that's the end of that.
On Jul 28, 2008, Hugh Said:
I kept recieving phone messages for lynn.. please call between 7 am and 9 am.... this is impossible for my work hours.. single dad with trips to daycare... so today first day of my holidays... i call it.. calmly stating.. never heard of a lynn and that for four months.... she cuts me off .. starts yelling why i would wait that long????? So the harrasment changes to insults.. she yells at me to get a life.. i have never been spoken to like that in my life! She spoke to me like plain trash... So fight fire with fire... I am starting a campaign to call that 1- 800-872-9641 and state when the operator ( its one cruel and vicious women working from her apartment) answers to say "lynn lewis doesnt live here".. i cant afford a fancy dialer like they used on me.. so maybe all you people can help me... I sure would appreciate it..
On Jul 10, 2008, Monty Loree Said:
M.I. Hamilton, First off, that's rather presumptuous of you to say. I own and run this site to help others learn more about their credit. I am going to contact the privacy commission to reconfirm my beliefs that skip tracing goes against their PIPEDA regulations.
On Jul 5, 2008, m.l.hamilton Said:
This is for Monty Loree I've read your comments on different sites. You appear to be so knowledgable about the Privicy Act and so forth. Well my lad, read the fine print on any application form you sign. It states that by accepting the terms of the creditor you are accepting their right to assign your information to others if need be to collect a debt owed to them by the debtor. Thus, any collection agency that has been assigned your debt by a creditor has ever right to seek information from anyone who may be able to provide contact information. And it FORBIDDED by law to tell any 3rd party contacted for information just WHAT is the reason the debtor is beeing sought. Now, having skip traced for over a decade I have come to identify those people with something to hide just by their demeaner and grandstanding regarding personal privacy issues. You, my friend, have all the earmarks of a debtor trying to hide from credtors to whome a legitiment debt is owed.
On Jul 5, 2008, M.L. Hamilton Said:
Yes, Skip tracing is completely legal both in Canada and the USA. Having said that, there are a few regulations that are goverened by each provience. A 'tracer' must be licensed in each provience he/she calls. There must be NO acknowledgement that the person being asked about owes a dept unless speaking to that debtor directly or has given written permission to discuss said matter with a 3rd party. All laws governing times and frequency of calls in that provience must be adhered too. I know these matters because I have been a Skip tracer in ON for over 10 years and am licensed in all proviences and territories across Canada
On May 22, 2008, Fradulent collection victim Said:
I have had NCO call my house several times and grill me about a person who apparently used to live in the apartment above me before I lived there. Apparently if youre in the same neighbourhood youre supposed to know everything about everyone and are expected to tell a collection agent. They lied and said that the number on the \"account\" was my number. I knew he was a scammer becuase Ive had a problem with collectcorp making up fake accounts in my name before. He somehow knew my name as well. I think they call that \"property searching\". This is also where previous tennants accounts magically become yours by \"mistake\". I would never give out any information even if i did know the person. Chances are the account theyre collecting isnt even real. I dont mind collectors trying to collect past debts that are valid, but its not everyone elses responsibility to track debetors down or pay for them when they cant be found. If collectors had some respect for people who pay their bills maybe they wouldnt have this problem. There has to be a reason why noone trusts a collection agent. Collectors may know the law, but it doesnt mean they follow it.
On Mar 29, 2008, FraggleRock Said:
I'd like to say that I do mild collections for a living, however when I am skip tracing (which is completely legal in Canada and the US) I am very kind, patient and I don't pressure the people, if it's the person, and they don't tell me it's their loss they are eventually going to end up deep in debt and it's sad really. I personally have nothing but compassion for these people and I am aware that not all collectors are as soft-spoken and patient as I am. I apologize for all the rude collectors you deal with (and trust me I know they are out there) but please if you're asked nicely just say "I don't know that person, and they don't live here" and hang up. It's frustrating on our end as well, to be yelled at when really all we're trying to do is find a person. But for the record it is legal as long as you are using public means of information.
On Mar 1, 2008, L legs Said:
they are legal....and the reason this was ok in your situtation because they did not disclose the nature of the call..they simply asked you for a name. and they didnt give out any personal information regarding that individual.
On Feb 16, 2008, Star_1964 Said:
monty, it isn't illegal to askip trace. there is NO personal information given the person on the other line. we don't tell you who we are because THEN we would be giving out personal information, now woulnd't we?!? telling you we're calling say from collectcorp would tell you this person is in debt. personal matter is what we usually say and so it is. it really is none of your business why we're looking for this person. you get aggressive then you look suspicious. i skip trace every day. part of the job. i call neighbours and possible relatives. when debtors don't want to answer their phone or return a message, this is what needs to be done. it's our jobs and it's why creditors hire us to do this. neighbours. the law is that we are NOT to ask neighbours to give the debtor a message but if the neighbours offers, then yes, it's all legal. don't kid yourself monty, collectors know the law. we all know what we can and cannot do and skip tracing is completely 100% legal. again, you're trying to see something that isn't there at all. Star
On Feb 2, 2008, Monty Loree Said:
Collector / star_1964, with regards to your questions: do you know this person? are you related? if so, would you happen to have a phone number where this person can be reached? You could be a scam artist for all I know. (We've talked about alot of scam artists on this site) Unless I see it proven in writing that you're a licensed collection agent, working for a licensed collection agency, I wouldn't even consider talking to you. Why would i give an unknown company who won't identify themselves any personal information? It boggles my mind that you'd even think of asking those questions.!!
On Feb 2, 2008, Monty Loree Said:
Collector /star_1964, If somebody posts their information publicly in the phone book, then that's public information... If a person's moved, then you're out of luck as a collector.. It's up to them to go through the proper channels to recollect the new information. That's why we have PIPEDA in place to protect individual's private information. If I wanted my information given out, I will give authorization for such.. You're quite presumptuous in what you're saying... Please review PIPEDA where it talks about businesses needing to the consumers permission to collect or disclose their information and get back to me. PIPEDA DOES SAY that a business can give a collection agency the clients information for collection purposes. That's as far as it goes. If a collection agency calls me, I don't have an agreement with them, I don't know who they are. I don't know if they're licensed or not in my province. I have many questions that I would need answered as far as skip tracing goes before I would even talk to you. I am pleased that the law is on the side of the consumer in this case. Collection agencies have been too abusive for too long.
On Feb 2, 2008, collector Said:
what kind of information are we collecting from you? none. you see, this is a huge problem. people owe money, they have debts to pay that are in collections then complain about being called to have to pay them. they go into hiding and we're hired to find them. the tools we have is canada 411 and that's what we use. public infomration. did the person that called you not tell you their first name? that's all the information they need to tell you. if we disclose where we're calling from, then we are disclosing information about the person we're trying to locate and that would be unlawful now wouldn't it? if i called you and asked for a person with the same last name as yours, my questions are as follows: can i speak with so and so? do you know this person? are you related? if so, would you happen to have a phone number where this person can be reached? these questions are not unlawful. if someone asks me my name, i disclose my first name only. when they ask what this is about. i simply say, i can't discuss this with you. simple. no information is given out. you're making a big deal out of nothing here. it's no different then me trying to find an old friend i lost touch with. most people are cooperative then there are the few, like yourself, who look like you're hiding the person that's sought out. you might not know this person so why make yourself look like you do? you're now provoking confrontation that wasn't required in the first place. people are in debt. debts are sent to collection agencies. don't want the calls, then don't let it get that far. don't know the person that someone is calling you about, then be nice and polite and you won't get anymore calls. simple really.
On Feb 2, 2008, Monty Loree Said:
Collector /star_1964, I disagree... As a collection agency, you're a business, and you're collecting information about a person in Canada. P.I.P.E.D.A. says that a Canadian business must receive consent from the person you're skip tracing to collect and/or disclose their personal information. I have a call into The Privacy Commissions office to discuss this further. I haven't heard back from them.. As well, the few times a collector has called me to do skip tracing, they won't identify themselves. Why on earth would I give out a friend or family's information to a stranger who won't identify themself!?!!
On Feb 2, 2008, Collector Said:
SKIP TRACING IS COMPLETELY LEGAL. THERE IS NO PERSONAL INFORMATION DISCLOSED WHEN LOOKING FOR SOMEONE. DID YOU EVER TRY AND FIND AN OLD FRIEND? YOU LOOK IN THE PHONE BOOK AND CALL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME LAST NAMES IN HOPES TO FINDING A RELATIVE WHO MIGHT KNOW HOW TO REACH THIS PERSON. THIS IS ALL THE TOOLS THAT SKIP TRACERS USE. PUBLICK ONLINE PHONE BOOKS (CANADA 411). COMPLETELY LEGAL. try not being so aggressive if someone calls again looking for someone. you might get a different result. you do get more bees with honey then you do vinegar. there's no reason to be rude just because someone calls your public available phone number looking for a person with the same last name. that's just ignorant IMO.
On Jan 17, 2008, Mrs. R Said:
I've received numerous calls from this company taking the same line with me - thinking I'm this person they want to find and not believing me when I tell them I'm not. I've been called a liar, shouted at and harassed with phone calls. I don't know where the person they are looking for is and I don't even know the person! It's getting so bad that I've put a trace on the number, screened it and reported them to the police!
On Jan 10, 2008, Vitzbitz Said:
I'm definately curious as to how this turns out. Keep us posted!

Are skip traces legal in Canada? Collectcorp Collection Agency

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