Owing money doesn't waive your rights. Every province limits how and when a collector can contact you — here's what's actually against the rules, and where to report it.
What's Usually Against the Rules
- Calling before roughly 7am or after 9–10pm (exact hours vary by province)
- Contacting your workplace after you've asked them not to
- Threatening arrest or legal action they have no real intention of taking
- Using abusive, threatening, or profane language
- Telling family, friends, or your employer about your debt
- Contacting you after you've requested in writing that they deal only with your lawyer
Provincial Collection Agency Regulators
Is it actually your bank's own collections department?
If a bank or federally regulated lender is collecting its own debt directly (not through a third-party agency), raise it with the bank first, then the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — 1-866-461-3222 — though FCAC supervises compliance rather than resolving individual complaints itself.
Where ComplaintCA Fits
ComplaintCA can draft a written "contact my lawyer only" or "cease contact at my workplace" letter, and the formal complaint to your provincial regulator, with the dates and details investigators typically ask for.
Not sure if what happened is a violation? Ask Asya first.
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What are debt collectors not allowed to do?
Generally: call very early or late, contact your workplace after being told not to, threaten action they won't take, use abusive language, or tell others about your debt.
Who regulates collection agencies in Ontario?
Consumer Protection Ontario, under the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act.
Can I tell a collector to stop contacting me?
Yes, in writing — most provinces require them to only contact you by mail or through a lawyer after that, though the debt itself doesn't disappear.
What if it's my bank's own collections department?
Raise it with the bank directly, then the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada if unresolved — FCAC supervises compliance rather than resolving individual cases.
How do I know if a collector is licensed?
Ask for their agency name and licence number and check your province's collection agency registry before giving any information.
What is ComplaintCA?
A Canadian civic platform that identifies the correct authority for a complaint, drafts it with AI in 7 languages, and helps track it through to resolution.
Sources & Verification
This guide is maintained by ComplaintCA and checked against the official sources linked throughout, including:
Learn more about how ComplaintCA verifies information on our About page.