What is ARM Collection Agency?
ARM Collection Agency is a debt collection agency founded in 1952, making it one of the longest-running collection agencies in Canada. It operates nationally across all provinces and territories.
ARM Collection Agency Ltd. is the primary legal entity. In Ontario, the agency also operates through a related entity, AllianceOne Ltd. Both are registered under Ontario's Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act.
The head office is in Shawinigan, Québec, with an additional office in Ajax, Ontario.
ARM specializes in debt collection and accounts receivable management. It operates a bailiff network for judgment enforcement and debt recovery, and works on a no-collection, no-fee basis for certain services.
Source: ARM Collection Agency – About
Why is ARM Collection Agency calling me?
A creditor has passed your account to ARM Collection Agency for collection. That's the most common reason.
It could be a debt you recognize, but it could also be an old debt, one that's already been settled, or not your debt at all.
Don't confirm anything over the phone. Request written verification first, then check it against your own records.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
ARM Collection Agency phone numbers
These numbers are commonly associated with ARM Collection Agency:
| Phone number | Type |
|---|---|
| Main | |
| Local Office | |
| User Reported | |
| User Reported | |
| User Reported |
Some numbers are submitted by users. We call to verify each one and recheck periodically, but numbers can change.
If you receive a call from a different number claiming to be ARM Collection Agency, verify the debt in writing and confirm the details before paying.
Who does ARM Collection Agency collect for?
ARM Collection Agency collects for clients across multiple sectors, including telecommunications, banking, government, healthcare and utilities.
Consumer reports link ARM Collection Agency to 14 creditors, most often in telecom, parking and insurance.
| Industry | Consumer-reported creditors |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications | |
| Banking & Financial Services | |
| Utilities | |
| Government & Municipal | |
| Insurance | |
| Parking |
Know another company ARM Collection Agency collects for?
Is ARM Collection Agency legitimate?
Yes. ARM Collection Agency is a legitimate, long established debt collection agency. It has been operating since 1952 and is a member of the Receivables Management Association of Canada.
Always request written verification before making any payment. Scammers occasionally impersonate collection agencies.
Checking a provincial licence is one way to verify an agency is legitimate.
Will ARM Collection Agency affect my credit score?
A collection account from ARM Collection Agency will severely damage your credit score once it's reported to Equifax or TransUnion.
It stays on your credit report for 6 years from the date of your first missed payment, known as the date of first delinquency. Paying it won't remove the mark from your credit file but updates the status to paid, which looks better to future lenders.
Source: Equifax Canada – How long does information stay on my credit report
What to do if ARM Collection Agency calls you (step by step)
All provinces and territories
ARM Collection Agency displays the following collection agency licences on its website:
Province / Territory | Permit number |
|---|---|
Prince Edward Island | 22664 |
Nova Scotia | 2025-1990892 |
New Brunswick | 22696 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 14-15-AR097-1 |
Québec | 400299 |
Ontario | 4724562 |
Saskatchewan | 332631 |
Manitoba | 54764 |
Alberta | 339394 |
British Columbia | 66467 |
Yukon | 3630-06200 |
Northwest Territories | 26-014 |
Nunavut | 25-011 |
Source: ARM Collection Agency – Our Company
What if the debt is old?
Every province has a time limit on how long a collection agency like ARM Collection Agency can sue you for an unpaid debt.
Ontario, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
Quebec
Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Once the limitation period expires, ARM Collection Agency can still sue you, but you can raise the expired limitation period as a complete defence. The defence isn't automatic. You have to file a defence in court and plead the expired limitation period. If you don't, the court will grant default judgment as if the limitation didn't apply.
Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing restarts the limitation period, but only if it hasn't already expired.
These limitation periods apply to most consumer debts like credit cards, lines of credit, and personal loans. Different rules may apply to government debts, court judgments, or secured debts like mortgages.
For more information, read our guide about debt statute of limitations.
How to stop calls from ARM Collection Agency
Sometimes, you can stop collection calls from a collection agency by sending a cease and desist letter. Once ARM Collection Agency receive it, they have to stop calling. The debt doesn't go away, and they can still take legal action. You can use our cease and desist letter templates.
Provincial law doesn't give you this right in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island or the Yukon.
Regardless of province, if the debt's on a loan, line of credit, or credit card, send the letter by registered mail under federal law. Federal law is the only law in Canada that also stops an original creditor's in-house collectors, not just a collection agency. You can send it to your original creditor and its collection agent, a collection agency or a law firm.
If ARM Collection Agency is making collection calls to you from its Ontario location, then you can send a cease and desist letter available under Ontario's law.
Restrictions on calls to your workplace
Many provinces and territories place restrictions on collection agencies when they attempt to call you at your workplace.
How to file a complaint about ARM Collection Agency
In Canada, debt collection is regulated province by province, not federally. The rules ban harassment, calling outside set hours, discussing your debt with your family or employer, and threatening legal action they have no intention of taking.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Debt collection: know your rights
If you think ARM Collection Agency is breaking any debt collection or privacy laws, contact the consumer protection authority in your province.
Before making a written complaint, document the dates and times of contact, the phone number used, what was said, and copies of any emails, letters or texts.
Some consumer protection agencies regulating the conduct of collection agencies will not process your complaint unless you first send a written complaint to the collection agency summarizing the conduct in question and making a request for remedial action.
For contact details and links to your provincial office, visit the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Consumer Affairs Offices directory.
Accreditations
Legal Name
ARM Collection Agency Ltd.
ARM Agence De Recouvrement
ARM Investigation
Corporation ARM
Kolleco agence de recouvrement
Kolleco service de recouvrement
Lussier Agence de recouvrement
Lussier Collection Information
People sometimes search for this agency under slightly different names or misspellings. These are the most common variations we see.
A.R.M. Solutions
ARM Solutions
ARM Company
