What is CGI Credit Guard?
CGI Credit Guard is a debt collection agency that helps businesses recover unpaid debts. They have been operating for over 30 years and have offices in Vancouver, Mississauga, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, serving clients across Canada.
They collect debts across various industries like construction, small businesses, manufacturing, wholesale, leasing, finance, property, professional services, and media.
They work with Canadian banks and credit unions, telecommunications companies, utilities, government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, credit card companies, and retail stores.
Why is CGI Credit Guard calling me?
If you've received a call from CGI Credit Guard, it usually means they're trying to recover an unpaid debt on behalf of a creditor.
If you're unsure why they're calling, ask for written verification of the debt before sharing any personal information or making a payment.
CGI Credit Guard phone numbers
We called each of these numbers to confirm it reaches CGI Credit Guard. Select a number to see call reports and what to do if they contact you.
| Phone number | Type |
|---|---|
| Main | |
| Local Office | |
| 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 CGI Credit Guard, verify the debt in writing and confirm the details before paying.
CGI Credit Guard collects for:
- Canadian banks and credit unions
- Telecommunications companies (phone, internet, cable)
- Government agencies
- Healthcare providers and hospitals
- Utilities (hydro, gas, water)
- Education and student loans
- Commercial businesses
- Credit card companies
- Retail stores
- Building and construction trades (plumbing, electrical, painting, roofing, carpentry)
- Small businesses (privately owned corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships)
- Manufacturers (made to stock, made to order, made to assemble)
- Wholesalers and distributors (food, fuel, lumber)
- Equipment leasing (machinery, vehicles, computers)
- Commercial and residential property leasing
- Professional services (lawyers, architects, accountants, engineers)
- Publishing and media (newspaper, telecommunications, subscriptions)
Companies that use CGI Credit Guard for debt collection
Submitted by consumers. We try to verify these reports but cannot always confirm them.
Know another company CGI Credit Guard collects for?
Is CGI Credit Guard a legitimate collection agency?
Yes, CGI Credit Guard is a legitimate debt collection agency established over 30 years ago. The collection agency must maintain a licence in each province where it operates.
CGI Credit Guard is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating.
Will CGI Credit Guard affect my credit score?
A collection account from CGI Credit Guard 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 CGI Credit Guard calls you (step by step)
What if the debt is old?
Every province has a time limit on how long a collection agency like CGI Credit Guard 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, CGI Credit Guard 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 CGI Credit Guard
Sometimes, you can stop collection calls from a collection agency by sending a cease and desist letter. Once CGI Credit Guard 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 CGI Credit Guard 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 CGI Credit Guard
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 CGI Credit Guard 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.