At a glance C3 Canada (formerly A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services) is a Canadian debt collection agency founded in 2006 and acquired by C3 Canada Corporation in February 2023.
If C3 Canada 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 C3 Canada?
C3 Canada is a debt collection agency that helps businesses recover unpaid debts. You may also see them referred to as C3 Canada Collections.
The company was founded in 2006 by Anna Day and Brian Cherry, initially starting as A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc.
In February 2023, C3 Canada Corporation acquired the business.
C3 Canada operates across Canada with offices in Edmonton (head office), Toronto and Laval.
Consumers report that C3 Canada can be persistent with phone calls.
Source: C3 Canada
Contact C3 Canada
Contact this debt collection agency to verify details, dispute the debt, or resolve your account.
Visit C3 Canada websiteWhy is C3 Canada calling me?
If you've received a call, email or letter from C3 Canada, it typically means they are trying to recover an unpaid debt on behalf of a creditor they represent.
Often, you will owe money. Other times, it might be an old account, a mistake, a debt you don't recognize, or even a scam attempt using a real company name.
The first thing you should do is request written verification of the debt before you confirm anything or make any payments.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Dealing with a debt collector
What to ask C3 Canada for before you pay
Ask for written documentation confirming:
- The original creditor
- The amount owed
- The account reference
- The date the debt relates to (if available)
Doing so lets you check whether the debt is legitimate.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Debt collection: know your rights
Who does C3 Canada collect for?
Collection agencies like C3 Canada work with many different businesses.
Industry | Consumer-reported examples |
|---|---|
Telecommunications | Phone/internet/cable providers |
Financial services | Banks, credit card companies |
Utilities | Hydro/gas/water providers |
Government | Provincial and municipal agencies |
Healthcare | Hospitals and medical providers |
Education | Student loan accounts |
Retail | Stores with unpaid customer accounts |
Commercial | Business-to-business debts |
Note: The industries listed above are based on consumer reports and online discussions. They don't represent confirmed business relationships with C3 Canada.
If someone claims C3 Canada is collecting for a specific company, don't rely on phone information.
Always verify creditor claims in writing and request the creditor's name, account reference and current balance.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Debt collection: know your rights
Companies that use C3 Canada for debt collection
Reported by consumers
Know another company C3 Canada collects for?
C3 Canada phone numbers
These numbers are commonly associated with C3 Canada:
| Phone number | Type |
|---|---|
| Main | |
| General | |
| General | |
| General | |
| General |
Got a call from a number not shown here?
If you receive a call from a different number claiming to be C3 Canada, verify the debt in writing and confirm the details before paying.
Is C3 Canada a legitimate debt collection agency?
Yes, C3 Canada is a legitimate debt collection agency, not a scam.
The company has been operating in Canada since 2006 and publicly lists its corporate address and contact details.
C3 Canada's branches and employees are licensed through provincial regulatory bodies.
Is C3 Canada a licensed collection agency in Ontario?
A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc., operating as C3 Canada, is registered in Ontario as a collection agency under the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act. The table below shows confirmed licence records as of March 2026.
| Legal Name | Location | Licence number | Status | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc. | Toronto, ON | 4708420 | Issued | Feb 6, 2027 |
Source: Government of Ontario – Search for a business licence (March 2026)
Is C3 Canada a licensed collection agency in Alberta?
A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc., operating as C3 Canada, 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 March 2026.
| Business Name | Trading As | Location | Bonded | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc. | C3 Canada | Calgary, AB | Yes | Mar 31, 2027 |
Source: Service Alberta – Find out if a Business is Licenced (March 2026)
Is C3 Canada a licensed collection agency in Quebec?
A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc., operating as C3 Canada, is registered in Québec as a collection agency and operates under the Consumer Protection Act, with oversight from the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). The table below shows the confirmed licence record as of March 2026.
| Legal Name | Location | Permit number |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc. | Laval, QC | 400538 |
Source: Office de la protection du consommateur (March 2026)
Industry memberships
C3 Canada holds membership in the Canadian Society of Collection Agencies (CSCA) and the Receivables Management Association of Canada (RMA).
Source: CSCA Member Directory and RMA
Your rights when C3 Canada contacts you
Debt collection rules vary by province, but debt collectors 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
How to spot a debt collection agency scam
While C3 Canada itself is not a scam, scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate debt collectors.
If you receive a call from a debt collector, ask for details about the debt and verify the information.
Confirm you're dealing with the actual company using contact details from C3 Canada's official website.
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
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Dealing with a debt collector
Contact hour restrictions (example: Ontario)
Ontario debt collection laws prohibit collection agencies from contacting 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
Calling hours vary by province, so check the debt collection laws in your province.
What to do if C3 Canada calls you (step by step)
Step 1: Ask for written verification. Get the original creditor's name, the amount claimed, the date of last activity, and the account number. Don't confirm anything until you've reviewed everything in writing.
Step 2: Don't share personal details. No address, date of birth or banking information until you've confirmed the debt is yours.
Step 3: Check your own records. Pull your credit report from Equifax or TransUnion and compare it to what C3 Canada sent you.
Step 4: Dispute the debt in writing if it's wrong. Keep copies of everything you send.
Step 5: Negotiate if the debt is correct. You can offer a lump sum for less than the full amount or arrange a payment plan. Get any agreement in writing before you pay.
Step 6: Pay by a traceable method. Collection agencies like C3 Canada typically accept online banking, Interac e-Transfer, credit or debit card through their website, or in person at a bank branch. Always get a receipt.
Step 7: Talk to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or non-profit credit counselling service if you owe the debt and can't pay.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
Only consider a loan or a line of credit if you can comfortably afford the repayments. If you're unsure what to do, speak to a non-profit credit counsellor or a Licensed Insolvency Trustee first.
How C3 Canada affects your credit report
If a debt is sent to collections, it may appear on your credit report and lower your credit score.
Collection accounts can affect your credit rating and may remain on your credit report for several years, even after they are paid.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - How long information stays on your credit report
What if the debt is old?
There are time limits on how long a creditor can sue you to collect. After the limitation period expires, they can still ask you to pay, but generally cannot take you to court.
For most unsecured debts, the limitation period is 2 years in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Warning: Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing can restart the clock.
Accreditations
C3 Canada locations
Locations that C3 Canada operate in:
Provinces served
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Also known as
A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services
Common variations
People sometimes search for this agency under slightly different names or misspellings. These are the most common variations we see.
C3 Canada Collections
Canada C3
Template: request C3 Canada stop calling you (in writing)
If you want phone calls to stop, you can send a written request to C3 Canada. It won't erase the debt or prevent any legal action, but it can stop repeated calls.
Copy and paste this template:
Subject: Request to stop phone contact - communicate in writing only
Hello,
I request that you stop contacting me by phone regarding this account and communicate with me only in writing.
Please send written verification of the debt, including:
- The original creditor name
- The amount claimed
- The account reference number
Do not contact me at my workplace.
Thank you,
[Your full name]
[Your mailing address or email]
[Your phone number (optional)]
[Date]
Check your province's rules for any requirements to stop contact.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Dealing with a debt collector
How to file a complaint about C3 Canada
If you believe C3 Canada has breached debt collection rules, you can contact the consumer protection authority in your province.
Before filing, document the dates and times of contact, the phone number used, what was said, and copies of any emails, letters or texts.
For contact details and links to your provincial office, visit the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Consumer Affairs Offices directory.
FAQs
Yes. C3 Canada Corporation acquired A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services Inc. in February 2023.
You may see either name on letters, emails or your credit report. Both refer to the same company.
Possible reasons are that you forgot about it, another company sold the debt, it's an old debt resurfacing, it's a mistake, or it's a scam.
Request written verification showing the creditor's name and the amount owed. Don't pay until you've confirmed it's legitimate. If you believe there's an error, dispute the debt in writing.
Not automatically. To garnish wages or freeze accounts, a creditor generally needs a court judgment first. A phone call from C3 Canada does not mean they have one.
Collection agencies can call third parties to locate you, but they generally cannot discuss your debt with anyone else. If you ask them to stop calling your workplace, they must stop.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) - Debt collection: know your rights
No. C3 Canada is not BBB accredited.
They hold memberships with the Canadian Society of Collection Agencies (CSCA) and the Receivables Management Association of Canada (RMA).
No. Ignoring a collection agency does not make the debt disappear. C3 Canada can continue reporting to credit bureaus, and the creditor could pursue legal action. If you don't believe you owe the money, dispute the debt in writing.
Other collection agencies in Canada
Joe launched CollectionAgencies.ca in 2025. He maintains the directory, researches collection agencies across Canada, and manages the site's editorial content. Agency listings are sourced from provincial licensing records and legislation.