For residents of Ontario, Canada, here is another link I've found useful:
2) Consumer Protection Survival Guide
w w w .sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/Documents/275071.pdf
NOTE 1: A colorful collection of helpful pieces of information, published by the Government. It's useful, if you have identity theft or collection agency issues. Published by the Government of Ontario, they make it sound like consumers have many-many rights in Ontario, even when know we don't. They keep referring to the "Consumer Protection Act", originally written 2002, however that Act is pretty much useless for credit granting, credit bureaus, credit cards and banks. Unless, in the unlikely event, you hire a company to repair your credit. And, in that unlikely scenario, you have the right to cancel your contract within ten (10) days. Which is something, but not very much, from a consumer's point of view!
NOTE 2: As to identity theft, it's NOT an extraordinary source of information for Ontario consumers, because it's nothing more than a long list of common sense advice. For example, on page 7 the Government says, "Always store all your cards and documents, such as birth certificates, social insurance numbers and passports, containing personal information in a secure place."
NOTE 3: As to credit repair, the Government makes it sound like we, consumers, had many-many rights, even when we don't. For example, on page 7 they say, "Once a year, get a copy of your credit report from the two national credit reporting agencies, Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada and ensure it is accurate." Please notice, by saying this, the Government implies that Equifax and TransUnion are ready and waiting for your approval/disapproval of their reports on you. However, nothing could be farther from the truth! In real life, it's not that simple and not that easy! In real life, credit bureaus prefer to put everything into their reports, including all kinds of inaccuracies. And, as to corrections, in real life they prefer to do nothing. In real life, they exploit the Consumer Reporting Act" to their advantage, and use reverse onus, i.e. put the burden of proof on you. Which shows how powerless the Act is! And how powerless we, the consumers of Ontario, are!
NOTE 4: I find it ironic that they chose the name, "Ministry of Consumer Services". Because this name implies they work for consumers, even when we often know they don't and won't. Because for example, as to credit repair, the "Ministry of Consumer Services" has to abide by the (weak) "Consumer Reporting Act" which chiefly protects the credit bureaus, not the consumers of Ontario!
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