What is UPLevel?
UPLevel is a Canadian collection agency based in Stratford, Ontario. The legal entity is Credit Risk Management Canada Ltd. The business has been operating since 1970.
When a creditor hires UPLevel, the company contacts you by phone, letter or email to collect the debt.
The same group also runs a commercial credit reporting business as Uplevel Credit Bureau Solutions, which trades as Credit Bureau of Stratford (1970) Ltd. That side serves businesses, not consumers.
Why is UPLevel calling me?
If UPLevel is calling, a creditor has referred your unpaid account to them for collection.
Don't confirm any personal details or agree to pay until you have written proof that you owe the debt. There's always a chance it's an account sent to UPLevel by mistake.
If you owe the debt, pay it off as soon as possible to avoid it being reported as a collection on your credit report.
UPLevel phone numbers
These numbers are commonly associated with UPLevel:
| Phone number | Type |
|---|---|
| Main | |
| 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 UPLevel, verify the debt in writing and confirm the details before paying.
Who does UPLevel collect for?
UPLevel collects for businesses, financial institutions and credit unions across Canada. The company handles both consumer and commercial accounts.
Consumer reports link UPLevel to three creditors, most often in automotive and education.
| Industry | Consumer-reported creditors |
|---|---|
| Automotive | NissanCharlevoix Toyota |
| Education & Student Loans | Centennial College |
Know another company UPLevel collects for?
If you don't recognize the creditor name on a UPLevel letter or call, pull your credit report from Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada. It shows which creditor placed the account in collections.
Is UPLevel legitimate?
UPLevel is a legitimate collection agency. The business has operated under the Credit Risk Management and Credit Bureau of Stratford names since 1970.
Keep in mind that some scammers pose as collection agencies. Always ask for written proof before you pay anything.
Will UPLevel affect my credit score?
A collection account from UPLevel 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 UPLevel calls you (step by step)
What if the debt is old?
Every province has a time limit on how long a collection agency like UPLevel 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, UPLevel 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.
Does a debt with UPLevel affect my credit score?
A collection account from UPLevel lowers your credit score if it's reported to Equifax or TransUnion.
Collections typically stay on your credit report for six years from the date of last activity. Paying the debt changes the status to paid, but doesn't remove it early.
How to stop calls from UPLevel
Sometimes, you can stop collection calls from a collection agency by sending a cease and desist letter. Once UPLevel 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 UPLevel 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 UPLevel
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 UPLevel 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.
Legal Name
Credit Risk Management Canada Ltd.
UPLevel & CRM Group of Companies
UPLevel PPSA Solutions
People sometimes search for this agency under slightly different names or misspellings. These are the most common variations we see.
Credit Risk Management
Credit Risk Management Canada
Credit Bureau of Stratford
