Translink Fine by Collection Agency

[mercyshooter]

A collection agency on behalf of ICBC mailed me a letter saying that my 6-year-6-month-24-day old Translink $173 ticket needs to be paid to either the agency or ICBC.

What should I do? Is the ticket still valid legally?

 

[Pantherdash]

The statute of limitations for unpaid debts in BC is 6 years, so tell them to shove it up their collective asses. They probably purchased the debt for 1 penny on the dollar, so whatever they get is cream.

Panther

 

[SFMIKE]

More interestingly, Mercyshooter can afford to poon, but is too cheap to pay for his own transportation.

 

[uncleg]

What you gonna do when they come for you ?


http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j...hlPH3tBp1rWExY8-Q&sig2=i4e4TMy2HaXWUfRpJddenw

 

[storm rider]

Tell them to pound salt.

SR

 

[mercyshooter]

uncleg, the link that you give, is it constitutional?

So, constitutionally and legally, do I have to pay or just ignore?

 

[Robert Upndown]

I would pay if i were you and the staute of limitations, not anymore!!
"In addition, drivers with unpaid fines won’t be able to renew their licence and registration until they pay. It’s estimated 25-30% of ticketed fare evaders have a drivers licence. While the province has suggested retroactivity for fines, it was unclear how far back TransLink could go."
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2012/05/07/19728026.html

 

[mercyshooter]

Will it be expunged even after i pay? I heard that it will be in your credit history for the next 7 years or so and can ruin your credit.

 

[Pantherdash]

I would pay if i were you and the staute of limitations, not anymore!!
"In addition, drivers with unpaid fines won’t be able to renew their licence and registration until they pay. It’s estimated 25-30% of ticketed fare evaders have a drivers licence. While the province has suggested retroactivity for fines, it was unclear how far back TransLink could go."
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2012/05/07/19728026.html

If a collection agency is attempting to collect a statute-barred debt it means the original debtor has sold the debt and doesn't care what the collection agency does with the debt. At about the 5 1/2 year mark, the debt has probably gone to a first, second and third collector. At this point, once it's statute-barred they will try to collect anything they can get on it. If he's really worried about it affecting his credit and them being able to successfully sue him for the debt (they cannot and will not, NEVER because it's too much of an effort) then he should ask them to prove that they have a claim against it. I guarantee you they will possess no such thing and will not be able to get a receipt of the original fine. Whatever happens though, he cannot make any statement or acknowledge verbally or in writing that he owed that debt or the clock will be reset and the statute-barred date will not be for another 6 years. This is essentially what collection agancies try to do, get you to acknowledge the debt. Tell them to go fuck their mother!

It amazes me how many people have no clue how collection agencies work and what their powers are. They have NO powers and they very rarely take people to court. I wouldn't be surprised if more people have succesfully sued collection agencies for harrassment than the other way around. They will try to screw up your credit, but you can always negotiate with them at a lower rate than the original amount. And if it's statute-barred it will NOT be on your credit report, unless of course you acknowledge it.

Will it be expunged even after i pay? I heard that it will be in your credit history for the next 7 years or so and can ruin your credit.

If it's statute-barred it will NOT be on your credit report, unless of course you acknowledge it or make a payment on it. Don't be an idiot by paying for it because then it will show up on your credit. Tell them to fuck off and if you're really worried about it ask them to prove that you owe the debt.

Panther

 

[mercyshooter]

ok, pantherdash, you seem to know more about this kind of stuff. so, i just ignore and tear the mail and the more-than-6-year-old ticket?

ferris bueller, what i'm trying to do is to "enjoy" the loopholes that the governments of this country will never eliminate. This is technically not illegal as i have a one-zone monthly pass going to another zone. Thanks to the stupid system that never specifies rules, laws, etc. Also thanks to Canada's stupid politicians for "increasing" the loopholes! Too bad that you all don't wanna amend the Constitution Act. So Translink is not trying to do what you people quoted my saying. Remember all laws are derived from the Constitution Act!

By the way, there are people that never pay for skytrain fares! This is why we need gates, so that people can't evade; and that if your ticket is not "valid", you can go to an attendant to resolve. Take a look at the Hong Kong subway fare system! With these kinds of stupid politicians in greater vancouver and stupid board of directors of translink, translink will always lose money!

 

[PlayfulAlex]

...And if it's statute-barred it will NOT be on your credit report, unless of course you acknowledge it. Panther

Would you suggest checking this first? http://www.equifax.com/ecm/canada/EFXCreditReportRequestForm.pdf

 

[Robert Upndown]

However you spin it, it may still show up on your record when you apply to renew your insurance and\or Drivers License. Legally Pantherdash is correct, however ethically, pay the damn ticket. One who complains about all those fair evaders and the need for gates, might should take the higher road.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Send me the $173.00 and I'll take care of it for you.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

oh, let's watch mercyshooter squirm
like a worm
when its his turn
to pay

read his semantics
watch his antics
when he gets frantic
that the bounty-hunter's on the way

he quotes the constitution
and raves that it's the solution
but doesn't understand the institution
in any way

how sad...

 

[wilde]

ferris bueller, what i'm trying to do is to "enjoy" the loopholes that the governments of this country will never eliminate. This is technically not illegal as i have a one-zone monthly pass going to another zone. Thanks to the stupid system that never specifies rules, laws, etc. Also thanks to Canada's stupid politicians for "increasing" the loopholes! Too bad that you all don't wanna amend the Constitution Act. So Translink is not trying to do what you people quoted my saying. Remember all laws are derived from the Constitution Act!

Riding more than 1 zone with a 1 zone ticket has always been an offense. You of all people (who advocates a police state) should just pay the fine and STFU...

 

[Papa Chongo]

Just pay the damn fine, I cannot understand some people, you were screwing the system and got caught!

and is there a Statute of limtations on paying a fine? I don't think so, or at least there shouldn't be!

RIDICULOUS!

 

[Papa Chongo]

Riding more than 1 zone with a 1 zone ticket has always been an offense. You of all people (who advocates a police state) should just pay the fine and STFU...

I wish we could still give credits, cause this comment deserves a few!

 

[blazejowski]

I worked in collections for many years - whenever I told people what I did, they would get mad at me, and tell the inevitable story of a bill they didn't pay, and how so & so would call them, etc etc etc...

I now give you the same piece of advice I gave them....






Pay your fucking bills.

 

[mercyshooter]

Riding more than 1 zone with a 1 zone ticket has always been an offense. You of all people (who advocates a police state) should just pay the fine and STFU...

what if i'm just passing by another zone. ie i don't get off that zone. if i ride skytrain from 29th ave station to renfrew station, logically i have to take millenium line which passes another zone. is it fair for the passenger to pay two zones instead of one zone? no, because you created this fucking loophole! this is why checking tickets in the train is stupid and unfair. You are enjoying unfair system! Go to hong kong and see if they regulate fare like this. if they are, legco members will fuck the government big and the public will fuck the government big and they have to amend the system! learn to be fair and competitive!

 

[Syncmaster]

Technically, you could ride the Milleniom from 29th station to Commercial Station then switch to the east-bound direction to Renfrew station. Your logic does not hold shit as the mayor of vancouver found out in public. The moment you cross Joyce station to Patterson station, you have violated the zone rule.

Think of it this way, would you argue with a taxi driver if you told him to drive you from 29th station to renfrew station, and wanting to only pay for the shorter distance?

I hope the new Compass card will be able to calculate the correct fare for folks like you ---- pay your fair share!