At a glance Total Credit Recovery Limited is a Canadian debt collection agency that's been in business since 1980. Total Credit Recovery collects debts on behalf of creditors you owe money to, including banks, telecom companies, government agencies and commercial businesses.
If Total Credit Recovery contacts you, request written verification of the debt before sharing any personal information or making any payments.
Debt collection rules vary by province, but every province has rules against harassment, misleading statements and contact outside permitted hours.
What is Total Credit Recovery?
Total Credit Recovery Limited (TCR) is a national debt collection agency that collects debts on behalf of creditors you owe money to.
Total Credit Recovery was founded in 1980 in Toronto and claims to be the largest 100% Canadian-owned collection agency.
Total Credit Recovery has offices in Toronto (head office), Laval, Mission (BC) and Edmonton.
Source: Total Credit Recovery – About
Contact Total Credit Recovery
Contact this debt collection agency to verify details, dispute the debt, or resolve your account.
Visit agency websiteWhy is Total Credit Recovery calling me?
If you've received a call, voicemail, text, email or letter from Total Credit Recovery, the agency believes you have an outstanding account with a creditor it represents.
Sometimes the debt is legitimate. Sometimes it's an old account, a mistake, a debt you don't recognize or a scam attempt using a real company name.
Always request written verification before confirming any debt or making a payment.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
Who does Total Credit Recovery collect for?
Total Credit Recovery collects debts across multiple sectors, including banks, telecommunications companies, government agencies and commercial businesses.
Industry | Consumer-reported examples |
|---|---|
Financial services | Canadian Tire Bank (Mastercard), Canadian Tire Triangle Mastercard, PC Financial |
Telecommunications | Bell Mobility, Bell Smart Home (a.p.i. Alarm Inc.), FIDO |
Government | Ontario Ministry of Finance |
Utilities | Hydro, gas and water providers |
Healthcare | Hospitals and medical providers |
Education | Student loan accounts |
Commercial | Business-to-business debts |
Note: Unless otherwise stated, the companies listed above are gathered from user-submitted entries, consumer reports, online discussions and public records. They don't represent confirmed contractual relationships with Total Credit Recovery Limited. Canadian Tire's collection relationship with Total Credit Recovery was confirmed through a 2007 BC Supreme Court case.
Treat all creditor claims as unconfirmed until you receive written verification tied to your specific account.
Companies that use Total Credit Recovery for debt collection
Reported by consumers
Know another company Total Credit Recovery collects for?
Total Credit Recovery phone numbers
These numbers are commonly associated with Total Credit Recovery:
| 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 Total Credit Recovery, verify the debt in writing and confirm the details before paying.
Is Total Credit Recovery a legitimate collection agency?
Yes. Total Credit Recovery Limited is a legitimate debt collection agency that's been in business since 1980. Total Credit Recovery publicly lists its corporate address and contact details.
Total Credit Recovery is a member of ACA International and the Receivables Management Association of Canada. It is not a BBB Accredited Business.
Source: BBB – Total Credit Recovery Limited
Total Credit Recovery holds ISO 27001:2013 certification for information security management, PCI-DSS 4.0 compliance for payment card security and is a federally registered protected B-level facility.
Is Total Credit Recovery a licensed collection agency?
Total Credit Recovery Limited is registered as a collection agency across multiple provinces. The tables below show confirmed licence records as of March 2026.
Is Total Credit Recovery a licensed collection agency in Ontario?
Total Credit Recovery Limited 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Recovery Limited | Toronto, ON | 1169258 | Issued | Mar 8, 2027 |
Source: Government of Ontario – Search for a business licence (March 2026)
Is Total Credit Recovery a licensed collection agency in Alberta?
Total Credit Recovery (alb) Limited, operating as Total Credit Recovery, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Recovery (alb) Limited | TCR | — | Yes | Dec 31, 2026 |
Source: Service Alberta – Find out if a Business is Licenced (March 2026)
Is Total Credit Recovery a licensed collection agency in British Columbia?
Total Credit Recovery (B.C.) Limited holds four active debt collection licences issued by Consumer Protection BC. The table below shows the confirmed licence records as of March 2026.
Licence number | Business name | Address | Issue date | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
17073 | Total Credit Recovery (B.C.) Limited | 33103 1st Ave, Unit 207, Mission, BC | 1993-01-01 | 2026-12-31 |
17165 | Total Credit Recovery (B.C.) Limited | 225 Yorkland Blvd, North York, ON | 1997-10-01 | 2026-12-31 |
88109 | Total Credit Recovery (B.C.) Limited | 10235 101 St, Suite 1100, Edmonton, AB | 1990-06-15 | 2026-12-31 |
56592 | Total Credit Recovery (BC) Limited | 420 Armand-Frappier Blvd, Suite 300, Laval, QC | 2011-06-22 | 2026-12-31 |
BC requires a licence for any office that contacts BC residents, even if the office is outside the province. Total Credit Recovery has held its earliest BC licence since June 1990.
Source: Consumer Protection BC – Check a licence
Your rights when Total Credit Recovery contacts you
Total Credit Recovery must comply with provincial debt collection regulations in every province where it operates. Every province has rules against harassment, false or misleading statements and contact outside permitted hours. The specific rules vary.
Provincial collection rules
The table below covers the four provinces where Total Credit Recovery has offices.
The rules that apply to you are based on the province where you live, not where the collection agency is headquartered.
Rules differ by province, so check the regulations for your specific jurisdiction.
Rule | Ontario | Quebec | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Written notice before calling | Yes. 6-day wait after sending notice. | Yes. | No specific requirement in regulation. | Yes. 5-day wait after sending notice. |
Contact hours (Mon to Sat) | 7:00 am to 9:00 pm | 7:00 am to 9:00 pm | 7:00 am to 10:00 pm (any day) | 7:00 am to 9:00 pm |
Contact hours (Sunday) | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Not permitted | 7:00 am to 10:00 pm | 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm |
Statutory holidays | No contact | No contact | No contact | No contact |
Call frequency limit | 3 times per 7 days (same debt) | No fixed limit. Must not amount to harassment. | 3 times per 7 days (same creditor) | No fixed limit. Must not amount to harassment. |
Contact at work | Must stop if you ask | Must stop if you ask | Must stop if you make other arrangements | Must stop if you ask |
Correct as of March 2026. Rules for other provinces vary. Check with your provincial consumer protection office for the specific rules in your jurisdiction.
Sources: Government of Ontario – Stop collection agency calls, Government of Canada (FCAC) – Debt collection: know your rights, Consumer Protection BC – Debt collection, Government of Alberta – Collection and Debt Repayment Practices Regulation
What Total Credit Recovery cannot do
Total Credit Recovery cannot harass, threaten or intimidate you. They also can't give false or misleading information, use profane or coercive language, or apply unreasonable pressure.
If you ask Total Credit Recovery to stop calling your workplace, they must stop. A collection agency also can't discuss your debt with family or employers, except to confirm contact information.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Debt collection: know your rights
How to spot a scam using Total Credit Recovery's name
Scammers sometimes impersonate debt collectors, including real companies like Total Credit Recovery.
A scammer typically refuses to name the original creditor. They'll threaten arrest, jail or deportation. They might demand payment by e-transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency or refuse to send anything in writing.
Verify the debt using the contact details on the official Total Credit Recovery website before acknowledging the debt or making a payment.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
What to do if Total Credit Recovery 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 Total Credit Recovery 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 Total Credit Recovery 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 does Total Credit Recovery affect your credit score?
If a debt is sent to collections, it appears on your credit report and lowers your credit score.
Collection accounts stay on your credit report for six years from the date of your last payment, regardless of whether the balance has been paid or not.
Source: Equifax and TransUnion
What if the debt is old?
Every province has a time limit on how long a collection agency like Total Credit Recovery 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, Total Credit Recovery can still sue you, but you can raise the expired limitation period as a defence. If you do, the court will dismiss the case.
Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing restarts the limitation period, but only if it hasn't already expired. If you're unsure whether a debt is still within the limitation period, get legal advice before making any payment.
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 Total Credit Recovery from calling
If you want phone calls to stop, send Total Credit Recovery a written request. It won't erase the debt or prevent legal action, but it stops repeated calls, depending on your province.
Copy and paste this template:
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
- A breakdown of principal, interest and fees
- The account reference number
- The date of last activity on the account
Do not contact me at my workplace.
Thank you,
[Your full name]
[Your mailing address or email]
[Your phone number (optional)]
[Date]
Note: 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 Total Credit Recovery
If Total Credit Recovery doesn't follow the 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.
You can also file a complaint through the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Has Total Credit Recovery had regulatory actions?
Service Alberta issued a $500 administrative penalty to Total Credit Recovery (ALB) Limited in July 2024 for contravening the Collection and Debt Repayment Practices Regulation.
Source: Open Alberta – Notice of Administrative Penalty: Total Credit Recovery (ALB) Limited
Accreditations
Total Credit Recovery locations
Locations that Total Credit Recovery 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
Total Credit Recovery Limited
Common variations
People sometimes search for this agency under slightly different names or misspellings. These are the most common variations we see.
TCR Collection Agency
Total Credit Recovery Company
FAQs
Yes. Total Credit Recovery Limited is commonly referred to as TCR. If you've received a call or letter from TCR, it's the same company.
Verify the details using official contact information on their website.
Request written verification that shows the original creditor's name and the amount owed. Don't make a payment until you have confirmed it's legitimate.
If you think there's a mistake, dispute the debt in writing by registered mail and keep copies of everything you send.
Total Credit Recovery cannot garnish your wages or freeze your bank account without a court judgment. To garnish wages or freeze accounts, a collection agency needs to take you to court and win.
A phone call from Total Credit Recovery does not mean they have a judgment against you.
Collection agencies can contact third parties to locate you, but they can't discuss your debt with anyone else. If you ask Total Credit Recovery to stop calling your workplace, they must stop.
Yes. You can negotiate a settlement at any stage of the collections process. Get the settlement terms in writing before you pay, and confirm that the remaining balance will be forgiven.
Ask Total Credit Recovery how the settled account will be reported to Equifax and TransUnion.
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.