consumer rights
Loopholes Tagged "consumer rights"
Plain-English guides to Canadian legal rights and workarounds related to consumer rights.
Collection Agency Rules — What Debt Collectors Can and Can't Do in Canada
Canadian collection agencies must follow strict provincial rules on contact hours, communication methods, and conduct — and you can legally stop most calls with a written cease contact letter.
Debt Collection Restrictions — Know What Collectors Can and Cannot Do in Canada
Provincial collection agency acts set strict limits on when and how collectors can contact you — and you can legally stop most calls with a written letter.
NSF Fee Refund — New $10 Cap and How to Get Fees Waived
Federal law caps NSF fees at $10 as of March 2026 and gives you the right to request a refund for overcharges.
OBSI Complaint Escalation — Push a Bank Complaint Outside the Bank's Own Process
If a federally regulated bank stalls or rejects your complaint, you can often escalate to an external complaints body such as OBSI at no cost.
Competition Act Consumer Remedies — Fight Deceptive Business Practices
Canada's Competition Act prohibits false advertising and deceptive marketing, and starting in 2025 gives consumers a direct private right of action to sue for damages.
National Do Not Call List Complaint — Turn Unwanted Telemarketing Into an Enforceable Complaint
Canadians can file complaints about illegal telemarketing and National Do Not Call List violations instead of just blocking calls and moving on.
Prepaid Card Fee Rights — No Expiry, No Hidden Dormancy Fees
Federal rules prohibit expiry dates on most Canadian prepaid cards and bar dormancy fees in the first 12 months — and Quebec adds even stronger protections.
Unsolicited Goods — You Don't Have to Pay for What You Didn't Order
Under provincial consumer protection laws and the federal Competition Act, unsolicited goods sent to you may be treated as a gift — you owe nothing and have no obligation to return them.
SIN Request Refusal — Say No When a Private Business Asks for Your SIN Without a Legal Need
Many private businesses ask for your SIN even when they do not legally need it.