In 1998, the government emphasized that cases like Suddick's went to collection agencies only after other enforcement mechanisms had failed, such as suspending licences. But neither the government nor the collection agencies it hired would say what that means. Typically, collection agencies send letters to debtors indicating they've taken on a case. Once that's done, the agencies can phone friends, relatives or employers to get the debtor's phone number and address. They then contact that person, demanding the money owed.
Wages can be garnisheed, but only with a court order.
In the Suddick case, the collection agency returned the file to the attorney general's ministry, saying it couldn't find assets or income for Suddick. Crawley said the ministry in such cases has no choice but to wait for more information about Levesque's ex. Mark Edward Suddick moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1995 to live with his parents at their posh, pastel-coloured home backing on to the manicured greens of The Meadows Golf and Country Club. Florida records show he ran at least two businesses out of the home at 5548 Chanteclaire, where a golf cart and a Volvo compete for room in the garage. His mother Mary, father and brother Paul Suddick, a real estate agent in the area, recommended him to residents in the exclusive Meadows community, some of his customers said.