Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

iQor Canada, Collection Agency, Fined After Automated Phone Calls

One of the largest collection agencies in the country has been hit with a $500,000 fine from the CRTC, CBC News has learned.

The federal regulator took the action after receiving complaints about automated phone calls made by iQor Canada between October 2011 and February 2013.

“They called consumers repeatedly who owed no debt at all or they called vulnerable consumers in dire financial difficulty at all hours and they didn’t identify on whose behalf they were calling,” said Andrea Rosen of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

IQor has up to 60 days to appeal the fine.

In an email to CBC News this week, the company said: "While it remains iQor's policy not to comment on pending regulatory matters, the company looks forward to a full review of this matter before the Commission."

IQor was the subject of an investigation by CBC News last year that discovered hundreds of complaints from across the country had been lodged against the company for phone calls they had received.

A Canadian consumer advocacy group said calls from collection agencies have increased in the past decade as telecom companies have outsourced their bill collection practices. John Lawford of the Public Integrity Advocacy Centre thinks the CRTC needs to put the onus back on the phone companies.

“The phone companies originally had something of a duty to keep you on the network and try to work out a payment deal with you,” Lawson said. “Collection agencies are not known for wanting to work out a payment schedule with you. They are known for harassing you.”

Industry Minister James Moore told CBC News he’s aware of the problem involving collection agencies, and that it may be time to consider what Ottawa can do to address consumers’ complaints.

“I know there are stories out there, horror stories,” he said.

Moore added that “it might be useful” to have a parliamentary committee look into the matter.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.ca
Author: cbc

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