Consequences of unpaid debts and their impact on your credit score, why you should get your credit report from the credit bureau, how to dispute old debts, what collection agents cannot do when reporting to the credit bureau, and practical advice from a collection agent. Special guest and fan favourite Blair DeMarco-Wettlaufer, the Chief of Operations Officer of Kingston Data & Credit joins Doug to answer all your burning questions about collections and the credit bureau!

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:45 If you don’t pay a collection agent can it affect your credit score?

04:33 The Statute of Limitations Act.

05:30 The Credit Bureau.

09:45 How and when do collection agents report to the credit bureau?

16:20 What collection agents cannot do when reporting to the credit bureau.

18:14 Can a collection agency remove a debt from your credit report?

23:24 What happens if a collection agency keeps calling the wrong number?

26:07 How owing a collection agent can affect your credit score.

27:43 Practical advice from a collection agent.

34:05 How to reach out to Blair DeMarco-Wettlaufer.


Related Links:

How Old Tickets and Fines Can Destroy your Credit Score: https://www.hoyes.com/blog/how-old-ti...

'Insanely old' city ticket wreaks havoc on Ottawa man's credit score: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...
Long-forgotten fines won't linger on credit records, city assures residents: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...
Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer’s Blog “Receivable/Accounts - Information for Credit and Collection Issues”: https://receivableaccounts.blogspot.com/



Legislation Links Cited in the Podcast:

Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/9...

The Provincial Offenses Act, section 76: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/9...

The Limitations Act of Ontario sets a basic limitation period of two years: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/0...

The Consumer Reporting Act of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/9...


Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer’s Previous Appearance Links on Debt Free in 30:

Episode 20 – January 17, 2015 - Stop The Collection Calls: Advice from Blair Demarco-Wettlaufer:    • Collection Agencies - Collection Call...  

Episode 57 – October 3, 2025 Collection Agents: How Did They Find Me?:    • Collection Agents: How Did They Find Me?  

Episode 70 – January 2, 2016 – Top 10 Tips for Dealing with a Collection Agent:    • Top 10 Tips For Dealing With A Collec...  

Episode 264 – September 21, 2019 - How to Negotiate With a Collection Agent:    • How To Negotiate with a Collection Agent  

Episode 296 – May 2, 2020 - Dealing with Collection Calls in COVID-19: Debt Negotiations, Deferrals, and Credit Report Impact:    • Dealing with Collection Calls in COVI...  

Episode 373 – October 23, 2021 - Your Top Collections Questions Answered by a Debt Collector!:    • Your Top Debt Collections Questions A...  

Episode 477 – October 21,2023 The Messy World of Debt Collection and Statute-Barred Claims:    • The Messy World of Debt Collection an...  

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