Take responsibility for your debts

If you can't pay your bills, talk to your creditors or ask a budget counsellor for help.

Debt can pile up quickly. It is important to watch out for warning signs and to know what to do when it starts to add up.

The links below will point you to tools and information to help you get a handle on your credit and debt.

Help with Money Management and Debt

• Learn about your options such as contacting your creditors or consolidating your debts.
• Budget / credit counselling services can help you rework your budget and make a plan to pay back creditors.
• Paying your bills on time is the only way to repair your credit. These habits are recorded on your credit report and it is important to understand what your credit report means. For more information, visit the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's Credit, Loans and Debt: Credit Reports and Scores

Collection Agencies

If you have not paid a debt, you could receive a call from a collection agency. The agency will contact you on behalf of the company to whom you owe money.

There are rules that collection agencies need to follow. For tips and advice on how you should deal with collection agencies, visit the collection agency section of the Canadian Consumer Handbook.