What is Common Collection Agency?
Common Collection Agency Inc. (CCA) is a debt collection agency that recovers unpaid debts on behalf of Canadian creditors.
CCA describes itself as an accounts receivable management company. It was founded in 1962 as Commonwealth Collection Agency and is privately held.
Common Collection Agency has a call centre in Scarborough, Ontario and an office in Gatineau, Quebec.
CCA works with banks, telecom companies, credit card issuers, utilities and government agencies across all 13 provinces and territories. They don't buy debt and don't work with the U.S. market.
Source: Common Collection Agency Inc.
Why is Common Collection Agency calling me?
A creditor has sent your unpaid account to Common Collection Agency for collection. That's the most common reason for their call.
It's also possible that the debt is old and you've forgotten about it, the account was mistakenly sent to CCA, or someone might be using CCA's name in a scam.
Ask Common Collection Agency to send you written proof of the debt before you confirm any personal details or agree to pay.
Common Collection Agency phone numbers
We called each of these numbers to confirm it reaches Common Collection Agency. Select a number to see call reports and what to do if they contact you.
| Phone number | Type |
|---|---|
| Main | |
| Local Office | |
| Local Office | |
| 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 Common Collection Agency, verify the debt in writing and confirm the details before paying.
Who does Common Collection Agency collect for?
Common Collection Agency collects debts for creditors across various industries in Canada. Consumers have reported receiving calls from CCA about debts owed to companies such as telecommunications providers and banks.
Consumer reports link Common Collection Agency to six creditors, most often in banking and telecom.
| Industry | Consumer-reported creditors |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications | |
| Banking & Financial Services |
Know another company Common Collection Agency collects for?
Is Common Collection Agency a legitimate collection agency?
Yes, Common Collection Agency is a real company that's been in business since 1962. They're licensed to collect debts all across Canada.
They hold a BBB A+ rating and have been BBB-accredited since December 2019.
Keep in mind that some scammers pose as collection agencies. Always ask for written proof before you pay anything.
Source: BBB
Will Common Collection Agency affect my credit score?
A collection account from Common 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 Common Collection Agency calls you (step by step)
What if the debt is old?
Every province has a time limit on how long a collection agency like Common 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, Common 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 Common Collection Agency
Sometimes, you can stop collection calls from a collection agency by sending a cease and desist letter. Once Common 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 Common 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 Common 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 Common 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
Common Collection Agency Inc.
People sometimes search for this agency under slightly different names or misspellings. These are the most common variations we see.
Common Collections Agency
CCA Collection Agency