Blair DeMarco-Wettlaufer, the Chief of Operations Officer of Kingston Data & Credit joins Doug to discuss the consequences of unpaid debts and their impact on your credit score. They look at real-life scenarios and provide practical advice to manage your credit report.  They also discuss what collection agents can and cannot do when it comes to reporting your debts to the credit bureau and how to dispute old debts, so they don’t affect your credit. 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-tickets-and-fines-can-destroy-your-credit-score/ 'Insanely old' city ticket wreaks havoc on Ottawa man's credit score: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/insanely-old-city-ticket-wreaks-havoc-on-ottawa-man-s-credit-score-1.7141166 Long-forgotten fines won't linger on credit records, city assures residents: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-of-ottawa-parking-ticket-debt-owed-collection-credit-score-1.7152329 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/90c14   The Provincial Offenses Act, section 76: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90p33#BK105 The Limitations Act of Ontario sets a basic limitation period of two years: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02l24#BK16 The Consumer Reporting Act of Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c33#BK11   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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tsrKacdx4U Episode 57 – October 3, 2025 Collection Agents: How Did They Find Me?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SMU1R5N0ms Episode 70 – January 2, 2016 – Top 10 Tips for Dealing with a Collection Agent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=736J-IefWrI Episode 264 – September 21, 2019 - How to Negotiate With a Collection Agent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgNWpKfBUwU  Episode 296 – May 2, 2020 - Dealing with Collection Calls in COVID-19: Debt Negotiations, Deferrals, and Credit Report Impact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86gnBEkeUY  Episode 373 – October 23, 2021 - Your Top Collections Questions Answered by a Debt Collector!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue8gFE2Z48w Episode 477 – October 21,2023 The Messy World of Debt Collection and Statute-Barred Claims: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uN82x3ts1k&t=115s