In this guide
Key takeaways
Your credit report is the fastest way to find out which collection agency holds your debt. Get your free reports from both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada online.
Any active collection account shows the collection agency's name, the original creditor and the amount claimed. If no collection account appears yet, call your original creditor and ask who they assigned or sold the debt to.
Before you pay anything, request written validation from the collection agency confirming the creditor's name, the balance, and the account reference number.
Every province gives you the right to dispute a debt you don't believe is yours.
How do you find out which collection agency has your debt?
Your credit report lists every collection account tied to your name. Pull it from both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. The two bureaus don't always carry the same information, so check both.
You can access your credit report online for free from both bureaus, with monthly updates.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Getting your credit report and credit score
If there's no collection account on your report yet, the debt is new. Contact your original creditor and ask whether they hired a collection agency or sold the account.
If the creditor sold the debt, they might not be willing to say who bought it, but there's no harm in asking anyway.
Waiting for the collection agency's written notice
In most provinces, a collection agency must send you a written notice before it starts calling to demand payment. The rules differ by province.
In Ontario, the collection agency must send a written notice and wait six days before contacting you to demand payment.
Source: Government of Ontario – Guide to collection agencies
In British Columbia, the collection agency must send written notice and wait five days before calling. However, if the collection agency bought the debt from the creditor, it becomes the new creditor and is not required to send a written notice first.
Source: Consumer Protection BC – Debt collection
In Quebec, the collection agency must send a notice of payment and wait five days before calling. Alberta and Nova Scotia also require written notice before collection calls begin.
That written notice names the collection agency, the creditor, and the amount owed. If you haven't received one, ask the collection agency to send it.
What does a collection account look like on your credit report?
A collection account on your Equifax or TransUnion report appears as a separate entry from the original debt. It shows the collection agency's name, the original creditor, the outstanding balance, and the date the account was placed in collections.
Make sure you review both reports, as Equifax and TransUnion operate independently. A collection agency may report to one, the other or both.
A collection account stays on your credit report for six years from the date of first delinquency, regardless of whether you pay it. Paying it updates the status but doesn't remove the entry early.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – How long information stays on your credit report
What information must a collection agency give you?
A collection agency in Canada must identify itself every time it contacts you. It must tell you the name of the creditor it represents and the amount of the debt.
Before a collection agency begins calling, it must send you a written notice in provinces that require one (see above). That notice includes the collection agency's name, the creditor's name, and the total amount claimed.
If you haven't received one, ask the collection agency to send it.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Dealing with a debt collector
You have the right to request written proof of the debt at any point. Ask for the original creditor's name, the account reference number, the balance, and the date the debt relates to.
Don't confirm personal information or make a payment until you've reviewed everything in writing.
How do you verify whether a collection agency is legitimate?
Every collection agency operating in Canada must be registered in the province where it does business. You can check the provincial registry to confirm or check these lists:
- Licensed Collection Agencies in Ontario
- Licensed Collection Agencies in Alberta
- Licensed Collection Agencies in Quebec
In Ontario, collection agencies register with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement under the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act.
Source: Government of Ontario – Guide to collection agencies
In Alberta, search Service Alberta's licence database. In British Columbia, use Consumer Protection BC's licence check. In Quebec, the Office de la protection du consommateur maintains the registry.
If the collection agency contacting you isn't registered, don't share personal details or make a payment. Scammers impersonate legitimate collection agencies by spoofing phone numbers or using similar names.
If you received a call from an unknown number and want to identify the collection agency, search the number in our agency directory. Many collection agency profiles list known phone numbers.
What should you do if you don't recognize the debt?
If you don't recognize the debt, request written validation from the collection agency before you do anything else. A collection agency must provide proof of the debt when you ask.
Once you have the written notice, compare it to your Equifax and TransUnion credit reports. If the debt appears on your report but doesn't match any account you recognize, contact the original creditor named in the notice and verify it.
If the debt isn't yours, dispute it in writing with the collection agency. Keep a copy of everything you send. File a dispute with the credit bureau showing the incorrect entry, so they can investigate and remove it.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – Debt collection: know your rights
If you have zero known debts and a collection agency is still contacting you, it's likely a wrong-person error or identity theft.
Ask for the full name and account details they have on file. If none of it matches, tell the collection agency in writing that you aren't the debtor.
If the calls continue, file a complaint with your provincial consumer affairs office.
What happens if you ignore a collection agency?
Ignoring a collection agency doesn't make the debt go away.
The collection agency keeps reporting the account to Equifax and TransUnion, which can drag down your credit score for up to six years.
Court action and garnishment
Within the statute of limitations, a collection agency can take you to court. If it gets a judgment, it can garnish your wages, freeze your bank account, or place a lien on your property.
Debt statute of limitation periods by province
After the limitation period expires, the collection agency loses the ability to sue. But the debt still exists, and the credit bureau entry remains until the six-year reporting period ends.
| Province or territory | Limitation period |
|---|---|
| Ontario, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia | 2 years |
| Quebec | 3 years |
| Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, territories | 6 years |
Making a payment or acknowledging the debt in writing restarts the limitation clock.
For a full breakdown by province, read our guide to the statute of limitations on debt in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who I owe in collections without checking my credit report?
Yes. Call your original creditor and ask which collection agency has your account. You can also wait for the collection agency to send its required written notice, which names the collection agency and the amount owed.
Your credit report is still the most complete source because it shows all active collection accounts in one place.
How long does a collection account stay on your credit report in Canada?
A collection account stays on your credit report for six years from the date of first delinquency. This applies whether you pay the balance or not.
The six-year credit report period and the statute of limitations for lawsuits are separate timelines. One can expire while the other keeps running.
Source: Government of Canada (FCAC) – How long information stays on your credit report
Can two different collection agencies contact you about the same debt?
Yes. A creditor can reassign a debt from one collection agency to another, or sell it to a different buyer. If this happens, the original collection account on your credit report should show as closed, and a new entry appears under the new collection agency.
Contact the original creditor to confirm which collection agency currently holds the account.
Does paying a collection agency remove the entry from your credit report?
No. Paying a collection agency updates the account status to "paid" or "settled," but the entry stays on your credit report for the full six-year period.
A paid collection account looks better to lenders than an unpaid one, but unfortunately, it doesn't disappear until the time is up.
Can a collection agency add interest or fees to the amount you owe?
In Ontario, the Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act prohibits collection agencies from collecting any amount beyond what the creditor is owed.
Source: Government of Ontario – Guide to collection agencies
In most other provinces, a collection agency cannot add extra fees or charges to the original debt. If a collection agency claims you owe more than the original balance, ask for a written breakdown and verify it with your creditor.
How do you dispute a debt with a collection agency in Canada?
Send the collection agency a written letter stating you dispute the debt. Include your name, address, and account reference number.
Ask for written proof, including the original creditor's name, the amount, and the date the debt was incurred. Keep a copy of everything.
If the disputed debt appears on your credit report, file a dispute with both Equifax and TransUnion to have the entry investigated.
If the collection agency continues to pursue a debt you've disputed, file a complaint with the consumer affairs office in your province.