At a glance Common Collection Agency Inc. (CCA) is a Canadian debt collection agency founded in 1962 as Commonwealth Collection Agency. CCA has a call centre in Scarborough, Ontario and an office in Gatineau, Quebec.
They collect unpaid debts on behalf of Canadian creditors across all provinces and territories.
If Common Collection Agency contacts you, ask for written verification of the debt before confirming any personal details or making a payment.
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.
Contact Common Collection Agency
1-888-851-8699
Contact this debt collection agency to verify details, dispute the debt or resolve your account.
Visit agency websiteWhy 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.
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 the companies below.
Creditor | Industry |
|---|---|
Walmart Rewards Mastercard | Credit cards |
BMO (Bank of Montreal) | Banking |
Virgin Mobile | Telecommunications |
RBC Royal Bank | Banking |
CIBC | Banking |
Common Collection Agency also collects for telecommunications providers, utilities (hydro, gas, water), government agencies, healthcare providers, education and student loan companies, retail stores and commercial businesses.
Companies that use Common Collection Agency for debt collection
Submitted by consumers. We try to verify these reports but cannot always confirm them.
Know another company Common Collection Agency collects for?
Common Collection Agency phone numbers
These numbers are commonly associated with Common Collection Agency:
| 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.
Got a call from a number not shown here?
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.
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. Paying it won't remove the mark from your credit file but updates the status to paid, which looks better to future lenders.
Check your own report to see whether Common Collection Agency has reported the account and whether the information is correct.
What to do if Common Collection Agency calls you (step by step)
Step 1: Ask for written verification. Get the original creditor's name, amount, account number and the date of last activity. Don't confirm anything until you've reviewed it 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 credit report to see what the agency has reported about you. Get your free credit score and report with Borrowell.
Step 4: Dispute the debt in writing if it's wrong. Keep copies of everything you send.
Step 5: Check the statute of limitations in your province before you pay or acknowledge the debt in writing.
Step 6: Settle if the debt is correct. The agency might accept a one-time lump sum for less than the full balance. Get any agreement in writing before you pay.
Step 7: Pay by a traceable method like online banking, e-Transfer, or card. Get a receipt.
Step 8: Talk to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or non-profit credit counselling service if you can't pay.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
Not in Ontario, Alberta, BC, Nunavut or the NWT? Find a trustee in your province
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.
| Province / Territory | Limitation period |
|---|---|
| Ontario, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia | 2 years |
| Quebec | 3 years |
| Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon | 6 years |
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
Send Common Collection Agency a cease and desist letter. Once they receive it, they have to stop phoning. The debt doesn't go away, and they can still take legal action.
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.
However, if the debt's on a loan, line of credit, or credit card, send the letter by registered mail under federal law. If Common Collection Agency is physically based in Ontario, use Ontario's law instead.
Read more: How to stop collection calls in Canada.
How to file a complaint about Common Collection Agency
If you think that Common Collection Agency is breaking any debt collection rules, 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.
Accreditations
Common Collection Agency locations
Locations that Common Collection Agency 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
Legal Name
Common Collection Agency Inc.
Common variations
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
Frequently asked questions
Common Collection Agency can garnish your wages, but only after taking you to court and obtaining a judgment. CCA has to file a lawsuit, win, and then apply for a separate garnishment order.
Common Collection Agency accepts payments via online banking, Interac e-Transfer, and credit or debit card on their website. You can also pay at a bank branch using the account number CCA provides.
Always get a receipt or written confirmation that the payment has been applied. If you're settling for less than the full amount, get the settlement terms in writing before you send any money.
Yes. Common Collection Agency can accept a lump-sum payment for less than the full amount or set up a monthly payment plan. Get any agreement in writing before you pay.
A settlement shows as "settled" rather than "paid in full" on your credit report, but it clears the account. If CCA rejects your first offer, try a different amount. They have flexibility.
The debt doesn't go away. Common Collection Agency can continue calling, send the account to a lawyer, or take you to court.
If CCA gets a court judgment, they can garnish your wages in Ontario or freeze money in your bank account. Ignoring calls also gives CCA time to act while the statute of limitations is still running.
If you can't pay, talk to a Licensed Insolvency Trustee or a non-profit credit counsellor before the situation gets worse.
Other collection agencies in Canada
Joe launched CollectionAgencies.ca in 2025. He has worked in Canadian personal finance since 2023. 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.