Can't reach anyone at FRO

[Coop]

Hey everyone,

We seem to be having a problem getting a hold of our case worker at FRO. We have called 4 times the last 2 weeks and there has been no call back.

Their voicemail now says that they will get back to us "as soon as possible" whereas it used to say "within 48 hrs".

It is so frustrating. Anyone know how to get around the automated system?

[Pursuinghappiness]

Coop:

I wish I had any advice to offer. I am still waiting for my first package from FRO. I'm going to send my info in pre-emptively at the end of the week if I don't receive it.

I do have an interesting story to relate. My friend who lives in the USA and is a payor got his wages garnished from their Friend of the Court system (US version of FRO) within one week of his divorce. 1 week....and they have far, far, far more people to deal with in his state.

Literally as soon as the court order for divorce was processed the garnishment started. Go figure.

[walshch]

You're at thier mercy trying to talk to a live person at FRO. I left a message on the caseworker's voice mail (late Tuesday afternoon) that I was going to contact my local MPP. I got a call back first thing Wednesday morning.

[hadenough]

I've heard that they really don't mess about at all on this issue in the States. PH; Fro is still not able to tell me anything and I sent Registration paperwork in Feb 2nd. I did find out that that the Courts have still not registered it as well. (That, I found out (again) just earlier this week.) PH: Give it a week before you call (after docs all in). They said "3 wks to scan in docs" and I also found out that the Courts don't email the orders. They send them in the mail (hard copy). My court hasn't done *F-all.* They make me sick. THEY are supposed to register all Court Orders w/FRO and it says that anywhere you read ie: Min of A.G. Site etc.

Coop: you can call Fro's # and don't enter your 7 digit case #. It will prompt you 3x, and then it will say "please hold for next available agent" and within 3 or 4 minutes, someone picks up. If you still can't get any answers, call the Ministry of the Attorney General's office and tell them you are getting the runaround at FRO. I keep hearing how "notoriously slow" they are. Ugggh. I am still waiting to see what actually dealing w/them will be like. Good Luck.

[HammerDad]

In the US, each state maintains their own enforcement agency. And why are they so effective/efficient? Because the agencies are funded based on how much money they can collect. The more people they can get after, the more funding they receive.

[Tayken]

Hey everyone,

We seem to be having a problem getting a hold of our case worker at FRO. We have called 4 times the last 2 weeks and there has been no call back.

Their voicemail now says that they will get back to us "as soon as possible" whereas it used to say "within 48 hrs".

It is so frustrating. Anyone know how to get around the automated system?

You can expect this to get worse after the Drummened report if it gets implemented. The government cuts will impact FRO too.

You are in queue for service sorry to say. It is a volume issue.

Good Luck!
Tayken

[singlemom]

Hi All:

I have been calling them from Dec 2011, no reply came. I have faxing them too. So to have the hard copy and letting them know that I left message. I have left message on Fen 13, waited 48 hours with crazy working situation.,Sits 3 meter away form supervisor. However, I call only my lunch hour as I do not want other people to know that I am calling FRO. I will fax them next week again. I were unable to talk to live person about the case after Nov. 21, 2011 (new rule).

It is very frustrating. KEEP calling and documenting. This is what I am doing.

[Kenny]

I am having the same problem. I left several polite, brief and professional messages for my case worker she only returned my call once by leaving a message.

Since that time, I have tried several more times with no results. I am giving up on it for now!

[Tayken]

I am having the same problem. I left several polite, brief and professional messages for my case worker she only returned my call once by leaving a message.

Since that time, I have tried several more times with no results. I am giving up on it for now!

FRO is understaffed probably. With divorce pleaguing our families at near 50% the volume of cases going to FRO must be overwhelming.

It has become a social problem impacting too many families. The system just isn't setup for this kind of failure in marriage. There is a fine line for the government to walk when getting involved with families. Is this the breaking point for the government services that people are experiencing?

Who knows... FRO is named incorrectly. Family "Responsibility" Office is miss leading. They are a collections organization and should be labeled as such. If they wanted to be a "responsibility" centre they would also be responsible for family therapy, providing the non-paying parent with financial education, etc... Working to solve the problem not just collect money.

They need to take the "R" out of FRO. Family Collections Agency may be a better name.

Good Luck!
Tayken

[WorkingDAD]

Well,
As you may know from my posts I was trying to avoid them from very beginning but so far I had no issues with them. Always got someone to talk from first call. Get answer I need and follow recommendations.

Will see for long it will last.

[hadenough]

That's encouraging to know seeing as all I seem to hear is how inadequate/non responsive and slow, they are. I've always reached someone as well but I'm still awaiting my fabulous 7-digit file #. I sent my info to them (court order) etc @ the beginning of Feb so it's early days.

[zenna70]

I'm having the same issues as well...I faxed in my application, statement of arrears and so on (35 pgs) and showed received on their end....this was 30 days ago. Today I called, I don't have a file # but I held on the line for a rep. I stated my question and she said files take 3 months to process! She searched for any infor on my name and my ex's.NOTHING!@!! Now I've been asked to refax everything again to yet another #. I have @ friends who work at fro and they tell me they are bogged...ok fine I get it but come on....my ex is in arrears...he makes 75K a year and doesn't want to pay. Tell me to go find a job........ I have one actually I have 2 now cuz I ain't got no mo money....

[hadenough]

Just mail it to them w/a note attached saying you are re-sending and that you faxed it a month ago. I was told *3 weeks* (turnaround time) to "scan" the docs, by 3 different agents @Fro. Once scanned, THEN it takes several weeks for them to address the file, assign someone to it, make contact etc. I'm pissed too. I call, and Nooooo they don't have my info. The Court should have registered it Months ago. I sent an email to the MAG (Ministry of The Attorney General) on Feb 14th and actually got a response (via email) today. I don't want to get my hopes up, but the email was worded in such a way that it actually appeared that they give a **** - I don't know.

I have no faith in any of these Government run agencies. Good Luck. You should email the MAG too. They should get bombarded actually by ALL the people who are forced to deal with this mess that they call a "system."

[Coop]

Hadenough....can you post the email address to the MAG. I saw we all get on this!

My husband called today and was told that our case worker was off for a bit and is now backlogged. Seriously....so is my bank account! Things are not great for us but I'm sure there are others other there that have it much worse, yet they don't give a crap. Okay, I need to change the energy here. Instead of complaining I would like to send an email to get something done.

Thanks for everyones input!

[hadenough]

Coop: If you google Ministry of the Attorney General, you will find the links. They provide a link to FRO as well. You only need go to MAG's "contact us" tab and the option to email them your comments is there. Apparently, they do respond. The email I rec'd today had the name and direct line for an *actual person* that I may contact. The email I rec'd was cc'd to that contact person as well. Good Luck