Hi Jillian,

I sent another registered letter on Thursday giving them until a certain date at the end of this month to provide me with validation (and clarified that I was not looking for verification). I gave them until that date because it would be 31 days to the day that I have proof that they received my first registered letter demanding validation. If they do not provide me with validation in that time but still continue to harass me, then I am going to the ministry and to the registrar simultaneously. I will then go to Equifax and Transunion with my letters and will then begin working on removing that record. If it's a legitimate debt then I will not run away from it but will make a settlement, but they cannot expect someone to do so if they do not prove they are legally entitled to demand it. Also, I said in my letter that if they cannot prove the legitimacy of their claim and it is on my credit report then I will sue for defamation of character as well as sue under the collection agencies act.

I will let you know the moment I receive something.

Thank you both for the information..It is very much appreciated..

" If the Registrar's office is only there to "mediate" then who monitor's these collection agency's? ..What if mediation does not help..Is there any other resource? "

I think you misunderstood.

Registrar has the power.

Consumer Affairs = mediate only and has no real power.

Consumer Affairs though has some power in that they can escalate a situation to the Registrar.

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"Also, I have a young friend , actually an acquaintance who is worried about being taken to court over a debt incurred by her late husband and she is wondering how long it takes a collection agency to set a court date so she can prepare herself/case?."

Without knowing the circumstances it is hard to say if they will sue but the process basically takes some time.

First they have to file. After they file they have to serve your friend. Your friend then has twenty days to respond. Once she responds a date will be set for a sit down where a judge tries to resolve the issue and save the court the hassle of a trial. The amount of time for that depends on how busy the court is so is geography based but I am suing two companies and in one case the defense was file before Christmas and I still have not had a date set.

Jillian,

The registrar can shut down a collection agency or revoke a collectors license if they discover there is reason to do so. I've seen it happen.

But you better have your ducks lined up and evidence to prove your case to him.

I do have a question then..If the Registrar's office is only there to "mediate" then who monitor's these collection agency's? ..What if mediation does not help..Is there any other resource?
Is there any one or anything to prevent them from verbally abusing or trying to intimidate consumer's..Like for example the government can walk in and close an establishment down for a period of days or fine them if they are caught serving underage drinker's as they can with other establishments..That may be a poor example ..So if the Registrar's office is only there to mediate who do we complain to if we wanted action taken against a collection agency for harassment or for not following the government guidelines, like the number of times they call, or not forwarding established information to consumer's etc?..Just curious if there is another government branch they have to answer to?..It just seems to me they get away with a lot of stuff..After all it is a business like any other ..They are there to make money by buying a debt from another company so they must have to answer to someone....

Also, I have a young friend , actually an acquaintance who is worried about being taken to court over a debt incurred by her late husband and she is wondering how long it takes a collection agency to set a court date so she can prepare herself/case?..
Any help would be appreciated..

Also, I was wondering how you made out Marquisse?..Any progress?..Did they ever send you the requested information?..They never did send me mine..Still waiting..

Thank you

When I called Consumer Protection two questions led me to think they are not very effective.

First, I asked how long and was told it would be about six weeks. I still haven't heard from them and it has been eight weeks.

Second, I asked about the procedure and was told that all they can do is mediate and that they don't have the ability to order any action or fine anyone.

Called Mr. Pitkin directly. He had me e-mail him the details. It took a little over two weeks for him to get to it and this was over Christmas and after he started it was 1-2 days to have everything fixed.

The problem is that if everyone contacts Pitkin directly then the system doesn't work as he doesn't have the staff for that and Consumer Affairs is suppose to weed out the people who are not legitimate complaints (the majority). On the other hand for legitimate complaints having to jump though hoops and waste two months before even getting anywhere seems ridiculous.

hey jillian... as I always maintain.. it's important to go to the registrar, as that is who administers the laws regarding the collection agencies. You'll learn your rights, and what you can legally expect from the collection agency... better educated than not.

The consumer protection system is mediation based, which means that the collection agencies usually get away with murder...

I am tempted to get Brian Pitkin back on the phone and do a podcast with him regarding this... it would answer alot of questions for our members.

Thank you Richard for the info regarding the Registar..The reason I was asking about who to send it to was of what the other member said (Millie) when she mentioned they weren't much help?

by Millie P » Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:57:17 AM

Consumer Affairs takes six weeks and in the end they are toothless. You are better off going straight to the Registrar. Millie P

Member

Posts: 195

Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2009 08:47:45 AM

Province: ON

Private message

Jillian,

Pitkin doesn't deal with complaints initially unless they are quite serious in nature. His staff (I've met them) are very competent and will address the issue.

I'm curious about something..I received the contact information for both the Registrar as well as the Consumer Complaints and the both have the same address and the same suite number?..What is the difference if our complaints are going to the same office..How do we know it will reach the Registrar if it is addressed to the same address?