Credit Bureau Services Canada

[Jackie B]

I just got a call from them in regards to my neighbour. They asked me if I knew if so-and-so who lived next door, because they tried her phone number and it was out of service. So they actually were able to reverse look up MY address and get MY name and phone number, to ask me questions about the person living next to me.

Does this seem alarmimg to anyone else, or am I just being paronoid? If I had outstanding bills (which I don't), I sure wouldn't appreciate bill collectors phoning my neighbours trying to track me down. Now basically I know that my neighbour is in collections. That strikes me as an invasion of privacy.

[Macs II]

http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/ConsProt/STEL02_045978.html

[SWRKR 01]

I cannot help but wonder if that is not a breech of confidentiality? Not to mention unethical.

[Jackie B]

Well, it looks like it was perfectly legal then. The lady wanted to know if I knew her, and if I had her current phone number. In the link provided, it said it was okay for them to contact a spouse, family member, acquaintance, or neighbour for a phone number or address. Creepy.

[$Spendbender$]

It does seem kinda weird, when I first read Jackie's post I thought "holy crap, that's messed".

But, according to that website MK posted, they ARE allowed to contact neighbours but ONLY to obtain the telephone number and address.

I still think it's wrong though.

edited to say Jackie and I think alike, only she's quicker..lol

[Jackie B]

I agree. It's definitely big brother-ish. Also the fact that they can even reverse look up my ADDRESS. Man, that could be all bad in the wrong hands.

[$Spendbender$]

Well how do you "reverse look up" someone's address? They would have to have your name, no?

[Jackie B]

You would think so....

Could you imagine just being able to reverse look up an address? So Suzie the psycho sees your hubby outside washing the car, thinks he's cute, and then reverse looks up the address, and starts stalking him, knowing his name, phone number, etc. Could totally happen. Yeuck!

[$Spendbender$]

Well, in your scenario, Suzi knows the address because she saw hubby outside. What I'm wondering is how do they know the name of the people who live in that particular house?

That's just strange.

For example, if I want to know who lives across the street from me, I would have to go through the entire phone book and find the address 123 Such'n'Such Street.

..or I could just bring a pie over and introduce myself...lol

[Sophie's_Mommy]

what hey did is NOT allowed, they can not even call your family or parents if you owe money and ask about you act...

[breeder]

Anyone can do a reverse address lookup for names and numbers. here is the link

http://www.canada411.ca/search/address.html

[Jackie B]

If you look at the link MK II provided, they can call all those people, as long as all they ask for is your phone number or address.

[Sophie's_Mommy]

contacting your spouse, a member of your family or household, or a relative, neighbour or acquaintance except to obtain your address and telephone number unless the person contacted has guaranteed the debt or you have given permission for the person to be contacted.

[Sophie's_Mommy]

http://www.gov.on.ca/mgs/en/ConsProt/STEL02_045978.html


If I feel I'm being treated unfairly by a collection agency, what can I do?

The Collection Agencies Act prohibits collection agencies from doing certain things.

The Ontario Ministry of Government Services consulted the collection industry to develop a standard to be followed by all collectors. Having a standard also allows the public to have a better understanding of what collection agencies can and can't do. The regulations forbid collection agencies from:

* contacting you until six days have passed from sending you written notice of the following:

• the name of the creditor

• the balance owing

• the name of the agency and its authority to demand payment

* continuing to contact you if you did not receive the notice unless a second copy of the written notice is sent to an address provided by you, and then contact may only be made six days after sending notice;

* contacting you if you send a registered letter to the agency saying that you dispute the debt and suggest the matter be taken to court;

* contacting you if you or your lawyer notify the agency by registered mail to communicate only with your lawyer, and you provide the lawyer's name, address and telephone number;

* contacting you on Sunday, except between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., and on a holiday;

* contacting you other than by ordinary mail more than three times in a seven-day period without your consent, once the agency has actually spoken with you;

* using threatening, profane, intimidating or coercive language, or using undue, excessive or unreasonable pressure;

* continuing to contact you if you have told them that you are not the person they are looking for unless they take reasonable precautions to ensure you are that person;

* giving false or misleading information to any person;

* recommending to a creditor that a legal action be commenced against you without first sending you notice;

* contacting your employer except on one occasion to obtain your employment information, unless your employer has guaranteed the debt, the call is in respect of a court order or wage assignment or if you have provided written authorization to contact your employer;

* contacting your spouse, a member of your family or household, or a relative, neighbour or acquaintance except to obtain your address and telephone number unless the person contacted has guaranteed the debt or you have given permission for the person to be contacted.

[Carolyn]

if you have an address you can look up and see the name of the person living there and the phone number. May not get you a first name but will get you a last name.

[Andre]

Well how do you "reverse look up" someone's address? They would have to have your name, no?

No
http://www.canada411.ca/search/address.html
Lots of sites and I think you can still use the books at the library and reverse search address or phone number

[Peety]

Well, in your scenario, Suzi knows the address because she saw hubby outside. What I'm wondering is how do they know the name of the people who live in that particular house?

That's just strange.

For example, if I want to know who lives across the street from me, I would have to go through the entire phone book and find the address 123 Such'n'Such Street.

..or I could just bring a pie over and introduce myself...lol

It would take less time with the pie.lol

[Sophie's_Mommy]

maybe i misunderstood the last sentence but i though they can not do that unless the person they are calling has guaranteed the debt or you have given permission for that person to be contacted.

[Jst4u]

Anyone can do a reverse address lookup for names and numbers. here is the link

http://www.canada411.ca/search/address.html

OMG that's cool lol

Creepy...but cool.

[B.David]

I cannot help but wonder if that is not a breech of confidentiality? Not to mention unethical.

And now you've breached it further by telling it here on a public site that your neighbor is in collections.