I just got served small claims court papers from Joel Miskin re a Canadian Tire credit card. I also got served someone else's papers (stapled to the back) with their personal info. Not only do I feel bad for the other person whose personal information I now have, but it makes me wonder where else my info has gone. Thoughts? Advice?

Every debt I had been in a collection agency. When I wasn't happy with the settlement offer or if they were treating me unfairly I would call the creditor. The creditor was always there for me. If your not happy with the result or you’re being harassed call the creditor or call the ombudsman dept if they have one. The creditors believe it or not they do not want some collector out there tarnishing their reputation.

Sometimes the creditor will refer the debtor back to the agency, sometimes they will talk to them directly. Really depends on the creditor and the person working for them.

well...latest update here is...

Back in Dec, I'd made an agreement with TD to pay a monthly amount, so todays letter from the solicitor had me going wtf? Earlier in this thread, there was a ph number given for Joel Miskin...and I'd also called that. Just had a return call here and it turns out he is the solicitor for them (or so it seems), and apparently my letter had been 'sent in error'. They cant countermand TD's agreement with me. However, he also told me it was unusual that TD had dealt with me, according to him, when you call the credit card dept after its sent to collections, they just refer you to deal with the collections agency. In short, he told me to ignore todays letter and any future one, as apparently the IT system they use spews them out automatically. I do have a direct number for him there if it's ever needed by anyone else here.

I agree; I know they have paralegal departments because I settled a debt with one in a collection agency. They probably outsource too so they can file judgments against people. I had lawyers, collectors, paralegals and all the methods of intimidation thrown at me, it's to the point now they don't even bother to call anymore..

According to the law society there is a lawyer named Joel Sydney Miskin "in private practice"

http://www1.lsuc.on.ca/LawyerParalegalDirectory/loadSingleResultPage.do?startPoint=0&currentPoint=0&iD=lI0QMTQJhK4%3D&iD=1231787279950

Many collection agencies have lawyers who work "in house" for them that is why the phone number just leads back to the agency.

I dealt with MJR on a td matter before and they can be aggressive and I also heard of this guy named Joel Miskin, I don't think that this is his real name.

thanks Joe... already had done so, I filed a complaint against MJR last december and have a direct number to the rep in TD...so left a message there for her. Havent heard anything back as yet....

I would call TD and see what they say.

I've read through this thread and I'm confused. MJR have been chasing me for money owed to TD visa and I made a repayment agreement with TD which theyre happy with. This morning I got a letter from this Joel Miskin...is this guy a real solictor or not? The only contact number the letter had was for a collections agent at MJR. I'm not sure what to do here.