Bell Canada, Collections and Credit Rating

[Rosico]

I'm looking for some assistance here. I've tried google and have a call into the CRTC but would appreciate if anyone knows the answer to this.

I received a call last week from a collection's agency saying I owe them $195 for a Bell Canada bill I never paid. I contest the claim that I owe Bell any more money (long story) but the person is threatening to put this on my credit rating. Can they do this? I was under the impression that non-payment of telephone bills cannot be applied to one's credit rating.

If it can be, then I'll suck up my pride and pay it since I do need to protect my credit rating.

[Chrispy]

I'm not sure if its like Rogers at all, but if you've been sent to collections by Bell, then it's already on your credit rating as unpaid....

Telecommunications do communicate with the credit bureaus, that's why there are credit checks upon ordering the services.

[Nyte]

I think they can, though I'm not really sure.

In any case, you need to get this sorted out with Bell, not the collection guy.

[hightechfan]

I'm looking for some assistance here. I've tried google and have a call into the CRTC but would appreciate if anyone knows the answer to this.

I received a call last week from a collection's agency saying I owe them $195 for a Bell Canada bill I never paid. I contest the claim that I owe Bell any more money (long story) but the person is threatening to put this on my credit rating. Can they do this? I was under the impression that non-payment of telephone bills cannot be applied to one's credit rating.

If it can be, then I'll suck up my pride and pay it since I do need to protect my credit rating.

It does not matter what it is.If you don't pay they can put it on your rating.

[tienm23]

I was in the same situation before. Here are the letters I sent to them.

C. Nourian
C/O: Inter Canada Credit
875 Main Street West #11
Hamilton, On
L8S 4P9

RE: Claim #286XXX, Account #851XXXX
Dear C. Nourian ,
I have received your collection letter regarding the $ 215.44 that you claim I owe. This is my response to that claim.

I am formally disputing the validity of this debt in its entirety. Please forward me complete copies of all documentation that you and Bell Canada have to verify this debt. You have 30 days from the date of this letter to send me complete copies of all documentation, otherwise I will consider this debt to be completely invalid and all further collection efforts must cease immediately.

Letter #2

C. Nourian
C/O: Inter Canada Credit Inc.
875 Main Street West #11
Hamilton, On
L8S 4P9

RE: Claim #286XXX, Account #851XXXX
Dear C. Nourian ,
Pursuant to the phone call I received from you this morning regarding my previous correspondence requesting further evidence of your claim of $215.44 on behalf of Bell Canada, during which you indicated that you could not provide with this information. By proceeding to end the phone call unilaterally by hanging up on me, I can only assume it is not your intent to settle this matter amicably.

Please be advised that since you have indicated that Inter Canada Credit Inc. is unable to provide the proper documentation as requested in my previous declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist. During this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and Provincial Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you.

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.

[BeeBee]

Nicely done!!!

[lochlan651]

Funny, but that does not mean it will stand up in court.

Just because YOU decide they have 30 does not mean there is anything holding them to that.

There are certain exemptions under Canadian Privacy Laws regarding collections, (cant call before a certain time and after a certain time, etc), but that is decided by the law, not by you

Good luck with your case thought.

[Rosico]

I was in the same situation before. Here are the letters I sent to them.

C. Nourian
C/O: Inter Canada Credit
875 Main Street West #11
Hamilton, On
L8S 4P9

RE: Claim #286XXX, Account #851XXXX
Dear C. Nourian ,
I have received your collection letter regarding the $ 215.44 that you claim I owe. This is my response to that claim.

I am formally disputing the validity of this debt in its entirety. Please forward me complete copies of all documentation that you and Bell Canada have to verify this debt. You have 30 days from the date of this letter to send me complete copies of all documentation, otherwise I will consider this debt to be completely invalid and all further collection efforts must cease immediately.

Letter #2

C. Nourian
C/O: Inter Canada Credit Inc.
875 Main Street West #11
Hamilton, On
L8S 4P9

RE: Claim #286XXX, Account #851XXXX
Dear C. Nourian ,
Pursuant to the phone call I received from you this morning regarding my previous correspondence requesting further evidence of your claim of $215.44 on behalf of Bell Canada, during which you indicated that you could not provide with this information. By proceeding to end the phone call unilaterally by hanging up on me, I can only assume it is not your intent to settle this matter amicably.

Please be advised that since you have indicated that Inter Canada Credit Inc. is unable to provide the proper documentation as requested in my previous declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist. During this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and Provincial Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you.

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.

Ha, was it a lady by the name of Christine that called you? What was the end result of your two letters if you don't mind me asking? The odd thing is that I never received any mail from this company.

Thanks.