Can a collection agency call my employer?
One thing most of the calls I receive have in common is that the caller has been receiving calls from collection agents. I’ve heard some pretty disturbing accounts of some of the tactics used....
Category: Collection of Debt
Is there still such a thing as ‘Debtor’s Prison’?
There are two BIG misconceptions that I hear about debt and bankruptcy on a regular basis. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, proceed immediately to jail… One is the belief that if...
Negotiating with Creditors / Collectors
Collection calls can be unnerving and intimidating. It’s easy to feel like you have no power in the call. And some (far too many it seems) collection agents use bullying tactics to collect which...
Help! The Bank took my money!!
I get this call at least once every few weeks. It’s something I try to warn against. There is a definitive risk to having all of your eggs in one basket when it comes...
What do I do if my elderly parent is in debt?
This question comes up a lot. Often if you are caring for a parent. Sometimes it is quite the surprise (shock!) to find out how much debt your parent has. Recently I had a...
To pay or not to pay? That is the question…
What if you are faced with a hard decision. You have to decide what to pay and what not to pay. How do you decide? And how do you handle this stressful decision? Now...
Help! I owe Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) money!
There are so many misconceptions around paying CRA for debt owed. I thought I would dedicate this blog to some of them. First, there are different kinds of debt. Personal Income Tax Payable –...
But it’s NOT my debt!
A collection company calls. About a debt that is not yours. Or a debt that you paid off years ago. You explain the situation but they continue to call. What do you do next?
Navigating the Fee Infested Waters of Debt Counselling
There is a disturbing trend happening in the Credit Counselling Industry. Companies are popping up online with toll free numbers, promises of reduced interest rates and manageable monthly payments.
Talking to Collection Agents 101
The method that works best depends on who is on the other end of the line, their personality/style and maybe on the success or failure of the call before you. Some agents are understanding and sympathetic. Others, well, not so much. They have an agenda and will not waiver from it. The following are some “tips” to help you take some of the stress of these conversations.
