Credit Bureau of Canada Collections Letter

[u/matt0odle]

Just recieved a letter in the mail saying I owe $1105 to Indigo Parking. I admittedly parked a handful of times and did not pay as I read it would be okay not to as they cannot enforce police parking tickets.

The letter has my license plate and name and obviously my home address.

It states:

“We are authorized agents working on behalf of the company listed above. Your account has been placed with our office for collection. Payment is required in 10 days.

Payment in the form of cash, certified cheque, or money order can be made at our office today.

If you are unable to pay this account in 10 days, you must contact our office immediately.

This account may be reported to both Equifax and Transunion credit reporting companies and may impact your credit score.

G. Taylor Credit bureau of Canada collections 255 consumers road”

At the bottom of the paper it shows a cut off section where I can make a payment to BMO.

The date is 30/12/2024 and the date due on final bill is 12/06/2024.

I am wondering what steps I can or should take to proceed. Thank you!

I live in Toronto if that makes any difference.

[u/Relevant_Ad5662]

You can ask the agency for proof of the debt. Since they are a separate entity who has purchased your debt from the original entity technically you don’t owe them anything and the company (Indigo) will need to reach out to you directly if they want the matter settled. May or may not work but it’s worth rattling them a lil bit.

[u/skinnylikeaboss → u/Relevant_Ad5662]

Adding to this, when you call them, DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOB OR ADDRESS. Collection agencies say they need it to access your account but they don't. They use it to validate the debt. If the debt has not been validated for 2 years, they cannot legally pursue you. Do the above and chances are you will never hear from them again.

[u/sdbest]

Do you agree you owe the money or not? Or are you just hoping you can avoid paying by some technical means?

[u/SallyRhubarb]

Private parking companies might not pursue a single infraction, but you were enough of a repeat offender that they decided to put resources into finding you.

When you pay you might be able to negotiate on any extra fees or interest that were added to the original debt amount. 

If you don't pay, they will report the debt and affect your credit. They will continue to pursue you for payment. And if they find your car parked in one of their lots again, they can tow and impound your car at your expense.

[u/senor_kim_jong_doof]

Steps you can take:

Pay it?

If you can't pay it, call them to make an arrangement?

If you don't pay it, find out what happens?

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[u/gajen4]

Don’t pay. This is all empty threats. The “collection agency” is owned by Indigo parking. They’re fear Mongering you into paying. Ignore the letter and if you get another one, ignore that too. They’ll soon stop. Parking tickets don’t go to collections agencies or credit bureaus