My mother (Quebec resident) received a letter from a collection agency in Toronto regarding a debt from a company based in Alberta. The debt dates back to March 2005. She has never heard of the company and has never received any invoices from the alberta-based company. The collection agency keeps demanding she deposit money in a bank account and he will hold it for 30 days until she sorts out the problem. He would not provide any information regarding the debt or the company and asked her to write a letter to the CEO of the Alberta company and he would send it for her if she paid the money.

I researched the Alberta company online and found a website, I have called the company (who never answers their phone and has a full voice mail box), and have left a message with their CEO). This company seems pretty sketchy to say the least.

If you can't reach the original company from which the debt originated, and the collection agency won't provide any information, what are we supposed to do. She is not going to pay a debt that is not hers.

I am confused under which provincial legislation this falls under, alberta, ontario, quebec?

Hoping for some advice.. . Thanks!

The legislation would be in the originating Province, Alberta. But my advise is to have no further contact with this collection agency. This is a definitely shady operation if they are demanding that she put money in a back account. Sure they will hold it for 30 days, she will never see it again and very likely never hear from them again either.

Save the letters, don't speak to them if they call. Contact your or her lawyer and pass everything over to him to reply.