ARO Inc

At a glance

ARO Inc (also known as "ARO Collections") is a Canadian debt collection agency founded in 1994.

If ARO contacts you, request written verification of the debt before sharing personal information or making payments.

Debt collection rules vary by province, but there are rules on harassment, misleading statements, and when collectors can contact you.

What is ARO Inc?

ARO Inc is a debt collection agency that helps businesses recover unpaid debts.

The company was founded in 1994 and operates across Canada, with offices in Montreal (head office), Markham, Kelowna, and Burlington.

If a business assigns your debt to a collection agency, you receive calls, emails, letters or voicemails asking you to repay what's owed.

Some consumers report that ARO can be persistent with phone calls, but may be willing to negotiate in some cases.

Why is ARO Inc calling me?

If you've received a call, voicemail, text message, email or letter from ARO, it means they believe you have an unpaid debt with a creditor they represent.

Sometimes the debt is valid. Sometimes it's an old account, a mistake, a debt you don't recognize, or a scam attempt using a real company name.

The first thing you should do is ask for written verification of the debt before you confirm anything or make a payment.

Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Dealing with a debt collector

What to ask ARO for before you pay

Ask for written documentation before confirming any personal details or making a payment. You need:

• The original creditor's name
• The amount owed
• The account reference number
• The date the debt relates to (if available)

Getting this in writing lets you verify whether the debt is legitimate. It also creates a record of what you were told.

Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Debt collection: know your rights

Who does ARO Inc collect for?

Collection agencies work with all kinds of businesses. Consumers have reported that ARO contacts them about debts from a wide range of sectors.

You should always treat creditor claims as unconfirmed until you receive written verification tied to your specific account.

Note: The companies listed above are based on consumer reports and online discussions. They don't represent confirmed business relationships with ARO Inc.

The Province of British Columbia lists ARO Inc as an authorized collection agency for MSP premium debt. The City of Toronto lists ARO Inc as a collection agency for unpaid Provincial Offences Act fines.

Sources: Province of British Columbia and City of Toronto

If someone claims ARO is collecting on behalf of a specific company, don't rely on what they tell you over the phone.

Request written verification that includes the creditor's name, account reference, and current balance.

Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Debt collection: know your rights

Is ARO a legitimate collection agency?

Yes. ARO Inc is a legitimate debt collection agency that has been operating in Canada since 1994. The company publicly lists its corporate address and contact details.

ARO's branches and employees are licensed through provincial regulatory bodies.

Is ARO Inc a licensed collection agency in Alberta?

ARO Inc. is registered in Alberta as a collection agency under the Collection and Debt Repayment Practices Regulation. The table below shows the confirmed licence record as of February 2026.

Source: Service Alberta – Find out if a Business is Licenced (February 2026)

ARO Inc holds permit 400488 and also operates as Agence de recouvrement Ogilvie and GO.

Scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate debt collectors. Always verify any debt in writing before making payments, and confirm contact details on ARO's official website rather than relying on a voicemail or text messages.

Your rights when ARO contacts you

Debt collection rules vary by province, but there are debt collection laws across Canada. Debt collectors generally are not allowed to:

• Harass, threaten, or intimidate you
• Make false or misleading statements
• Use profane, threatening, or coercive language
• Apply unreasonable or excessive pressure
• Continue contacting you at work after you've told them not to

Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Debt collection: know your rights

Red flags: how to spot a scam

Scammers sometimes impersonate debt collectors, including real companies like ARO. Watch for these signs:

• They refuse to name the original creditor
• They threaten arrest, jail or deportation
• They demand payment by e-transfer, gift card or crypto
• They won't send anything in writing

Verify the debt using contact details from ARO's official website before paying.

Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Dealing with a debt collector

Contact hour restrictions (example: Ontario)

As of 2026, collection agencies in Ontario cannot contact you about a debt:

• Before 7:00 AM or after 9:00 PM (Monday to Saturday)
• On Sundays, except between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM
• On public holidays

Source: Government of Ontario - A guide for collection agencies

Note: Calling hours vary by province, so check your local debt collection laws.

What to do if ARO calls you (step-by-step)

Step 1: Request written verification before confirming anything. Ask for the original creditor's name, the amount owed, the date of last activity, and the account number. Say exactly this if you need to: "Before I confirm any personal details, please send verification in writing."

Step 2: Don't confirm the debt is yours until you've reviewed the details. If they push for your date of birth or address first, say: "I'm not comfortable confirming personal information on an inbound call. Send it in writing."

Step 3: Keep your sensitive personal information private until you are certain the contact is legitimate and the debt is yours.

Step 4: Dispute the debt in writing if it is incorrect. Request proof. Keep a copy of everything you send and receive.

Step 5: Send a written request to stop calls if you want phone contact to stop. Rules vary by province. A written request does not erase the debt or prevent legal action.

Step 6: Speak with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. If you're overwhelmed by debt, speak to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee.

Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Dealing with a debt collector