What is Debt Control Agency (DCA)?
DCA stands for Debt Control Agency Inc, a third-party debt collection agency based in Toronto, Ontario. They have collection centres in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.
DCA is hired by the original creditor (like a bank or credit card company) to collect a debt, and they earn a commission for doing so.
Their clients are businesses across Canada, including telecom providers, lenders, toll operators and retailers.
Why is Debt Control Agency calling me?
Debt Control Agency is likely calling because a creditor hired them to collect an unpaid debt. They may also leave voicemails or send letters, emails and texts.
The debt is often real. But it might also be old, already settled, or belong to someone else. Sometimes a collector is trying to reach the previous owner of your phone number, or has the wrong person entirely.
Don't confirm or pay anything by phone until you've seen written proof of the creditor, the amount, the account number, and the date of last activity.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
Who does Debt Control Agency collect for?
Consumers report being contacted by DCA about debts from the companies below. Telecom and lending accounts come up often.
Consumer reports link Debt Control Agency (DCA) to 12 creditors, most often in banking, telecom and government.
| Industry | Consumer-reported creditors |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications | |
| Banking & Financial Services | |
| Government & Municipal | Canada Revenue Agency |
| Tolls | |
| Retail |
Know another company Debt Control Agency (DCA) collects for?
Is Debt Control Agency a legitimate collection agency?
Yes. Debt Control Agency is a real collection agency, incorporated as Debt Control Agency Inc. and still operates under that name.
They belong to the Credit Association of Greater Toronto and the Receivables Management Association of Canada.
Scammers do impersonate real agencies, so check the sender before you pay. Visit the official website to get accurate information, and contact them directly if you're not sure.
Will Debt Control Agency (DCA) affect my credit score?
A collection account from Debt Control Agency (DCA) 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 Debt Control Agency (DCA) calls you (step by step)
What if the debt is old?
Every province has a time limit on how long a collection agency like Debt Control Agency (DCA) 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, Debt Control Agency (DCA) 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 Debt Control Agency (DCA)
Sometimes, you can stop collection calls from a collection agency by sending a cease and desist letter. Once Debt Control Agency (DCA) 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 Debt Control Agency (DCA) 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 Debt Control Agency (DCA)
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 Debt Control Agency (DCA) 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.
