Can a debt collector contact my family members or friends to collect a debt in Ontario?

Ontario's Collection and Debt Settlement Services Act places strict limits on when a collector may contact third parties. In general, a collector can only contact someone other than the debtor to locate the debtor — for example, to find a current address — and even then only once, unless the third party consents to further contact or the collector reasonably believes the information provided was inaccurate.

Collectors cannot reveal to third parties that you owe a debt or discuss the nature of the collection. Doing so would violate the Act and could expose the collector to a complaint with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA), which licenses and oversees collection agencies.

Collectors also cannot contact your employer more than once, except to confirm employment or to carry out a court-ordered garnishment. Contact at unreasonable hours (before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or any time on Sundays and holidays) is also prohibited.

If a collector is harassing your family or disclosing your debt without authorization, you have the right to file a complaint with FSRA. Documenting every contact — dates, times, what was said — strengthens any complaint. A lawyer can advise whether the collector's conduct also supports a civil claim for damages.