News release: Door-to-door seller agrees to refund $113,000 to consumers following Consumer Protection BC investigation

SAANICH BC, July 16, 2026 – Canadian Home Improvement Credit Corporation (CHICC) has agreed to refund approximately $113,000 to BC consumers after entering an undertaking or agreement, with Consumer Protection BC over its debt collection practices and contracts.

CHICC sells and offers financing for household goods and services. These sales are made door-to-door and consumers sign direct sales contracts with the company. Consumer Protection BC received complaints which allege a debt collection agent acting on CHICC’s behalf demanded payments significantly higher than the amounts owed under their contracts.

Consumer Protection BC identified 53 consumers whose contracts did not include a total contract price as required by law. It was alleged that nine of those consumers were contacted by the debt collector, and five paid more than they owed.

Under the agreement, CHICC must refund affected consumers, cancel certain contracts, remove any liens or charges created under those contracts, change its business practices, and pay $21,206.74 to cover Consumer Protection BC’s inspection costs.

“Consumers have a right to know the full cost of a contract before they sign and to be treated fairly when debts are collected,” says Louise Hartland, Director of Public Relations for Consumer Protection BC. “This undertaking delivers meaningful remedies for affected consumers and requires important changes to CHICC’s business practices.”

Consumers who have a contract with CHICC should review it to determine whether a total contract price was disclosed. Under the undertaking, consumers whose contracts do not include a total contract price may be entitled to cancellation of their contract.

“This case highlights risks that can arise when consumers enter financed direct sales contracts without clear information about the total cost,” says Hartland. “Upcoming changes to BC’s consumer protection laws will make at-the-door financing unlawful and if it happens in our province, we want to hear about it.”

Changes to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act come into force August 1, 2026.

Read the undertaking.

Find more information about upcoming changes to consumer protection legislation.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Louise Hartland
Director of Public Relations
media@consumerprotectionbc.ca

About Consumer Protection BC

Consumer Protection BC is a not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing specific industries and consumer transactions in British Columbia. The organization’s mandate includes licensing and inspecting regulated businesses, responding to consumer inquiries, investigating alleged violations of consumer protection laws, and classifying all general release motion pictures.

With a focus on fairness and accountability, Consumer Protection BC works to ensure consumers are informed and protected. For more information, including recent enforcement actions and details about inspection and complaint-handling processes, visit www.consumerprotectionbc.ca. The organization also shares valuable consumer tips and resources through its blog and social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.