Despite the passage of a monumental consumer protection law in 1977, many debt collection agencies prefer to keep consumers in the dark when it comes to understanding the legal protections granted by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
Within 30 days of receiving a letter informing you about an outstanding credit card or personal loan account, you have the legal right to contest the validity of the debt by sending a third party debt collector such as Northstar Location Services a formal dispute letter.
After receiving your dispute letter, Northstar Location Services must cease all debt collection efforts until the agency can confirm the existence of the alleged debt.
Tips for Drafting Your Dispute Letter
Debt collection agencies count on consumers to make mistakes when it comes to handling debt collection actions. One of the biggest mistakes consumers make involves not working with a licensed FDCPA lawyer to fight back against aggressive bill collector tactics.
The FDCPA not only grants you the right to dispute an alleged debt, it also prevents unethical third party debt collectors from using abusive language or issuing clear threats to file a lawsuit.
Debt collection agencies must also follow strictly enforced lawsuit protocols, as well as contact consumers only between the hours of 8am and 9pm.
Any violations of the FDCPA require the swift legal action of a licensed consumer protection lawyer. Your lawyer will know exactly how to stop a debt collection agency from harassing you, from filing a lawsuit in civil court to sending a cease and desist letter requesting the end of all forms of communication.
By hiring a FDCPA lawyer, you also gain the legal expertise of an experienced lawyer to craft a compelling dispute letter. Although writing a FDCPA sanctioned dispute letter does not require a law degree, it does require the objective viewpoint of an accomplished consumer protection lawyer.
What to Include in Your Dispute Letter
Your dispute letter sent to Northstar Location Services should include an opening paragraph informing the debt collection agency that you received notification of the agency’s intent to collect an outstanding consumer debt.
The first paragraph should also mention the reason why you are contesting the alleged debt.
![Sample Dispute Letter to Northstar Location Services*]()
Actual Sample Letter Sent to Northstar Location Services
The rest of the dispute letter should read something like this:
I request you submit to me the amount of the alleged debt, as well as the entire contact information for the original creditor. Under the FDCPA, your debt collection agency must also demonstrate proof that I owe money for the debt in question.
Northstar Location Services has to provide documentation that your company is licensed to collect debts in the state where I live.
If you refuse any of the requests mentioned in this letter, my lawyer will file a lawsuit contending your company violated one or more provisions of the FDCPA.
Northstar Location Services is hereby notified that this dispute letter also prevents your company from adding fees and/or interest other than what the state allows or by the terms written into the contract with the original creditor.
Receiving a letter from a debt collection agency can turn the most composed consumer into an unraveling mess. Do not allow a third party debt collector get the best of you. Speak with a consumer protection lawyer today to learn more about how the FDCPA protects you against unscrupulous bill collectors.
Additional Resources
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be constructed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Northstar Location Services or any other third-party collection agency, you may not be entitled to any compensation.