You have to get this all in writing. A collection agency will work you every which way from Sunday to get you to pony up, whether you owe the debt or not. You have a right to challenge the so-called debt, and can launch a dispute with the credit bureau if it shows up on your account and you believe the information to be false. As for the collection agency, they have to be able to provide proof. Do yourself two favours: One, communicate only in writing. Collection agents are trained to get you riled up. When you're emotionally involved in a telephone conversation, you can't make good judgements, and they count on this. Some people cave under the pressure and starts making payments, whether they need to or not (referring to the Statute of Limitations and debt that may/may not actually exist). I don't know about your province of residence, but in BC, if you send a written request to communicate only in writing, the collection agency has to oblige. Each province has an Act by which collection agents and agencies are bound. This includes code of conduct. Look for it online and read up.

Two, read up. Knowledge is power.

Hello,

I was wondering what I can do in this situation, if you guys could offer any advice that would be wonderful.

I was with a cell phone provider with whom i signed a contract in 2007, it was for 3 years and i didn't sign anything new. I was still with them till 2011 after which point I wanted to switch to a new provider. Now things get a little bit confusing because it wasn't directly with Bell. I was with a company who had some sort of plan with Bell and they put me under that plan. So when I went to cancel my account with Bell, they said we do not have a record of this being your account, the account holder has to contact us. So I called the company and told them I'm cancelling and switched.

Now, almost 8 months later I am receiving a serving notice from a collections agency telling me i have to pay the balance owing. From the original company I did not receive any invoices in a very long time, money was just withdrawn every month from my bank account depending on my usage. The amount is ridiculous for transferring my phone plan.

I contacted the collections people...hundreds of dollars in administrative charges (which were not included in my contract) and then something about hundreds of dollars in porting the number over. I have no idea what these charges are for. As far as I know, I've paid all my charges and there is NO early cancellation since my contract expired over a year ago.

Now, this collection agency is saying I must pay this full amount or else they will submit it to the credit bureau and it will show up on my credit report. I don't care about them taking me to court because I feel like these charges won't hold up in court , but I don't want to waste time repairing my credit history. So far, I've sent a registered mail asking the collections agency to tell me what these charges are for, in writing this time. The guy I spoke to on the phone basically said , if you don't pay by end of this week, we will submit you to the credit bureau. I feel like the original company scammed me and now these collection people are trying to scam me too. Any advice would be appreciated.