If you receive a phone call from a bill collector such as Northstar Location Services, you should be aware that every consumer debt comes with a statute of limitations that varies among the 50 states.
By hiring a consumer protection lawyer, you learn about the length of the statute of limitations in your state and you discover all the legal protections granted by a landmark federal law.
Many states have set the statute of limitations at four years, with the law stating the statute of limitation applies only to the filing of a lawsuit against you. A debt collection agency like Northstar Location Services is allowed to contact you at home between certain hours.
However, you can get Northstar Location Services to stop contacting you by including cease and desist language within a statute of limitations letter.
Enlist the Help of a Legal Expert to Draft the Letter
Facing the prospects of a bill collector filing a lawsuit against you can produce considerable stress and anxiety. Under pressure, you might make one or more poor decisions when it comes to dealing with a third party debt collector.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) enacted by the United States Congress in 1977, you enjoy several legal protections that prevent Northstar Location Services from using unethical tactics in an attempt to motivate you to pay off a delinquent debt.
Debt collection agencies are prohibited from using deception when requesting consumers settle outstanding credit card and personal loan accounts. Deception can involve impersonating law enforcement or lying about one or more provisions written into the FDCPA.
Any debt collection agency that contacts you about a delinquent debt will have a potent legal team filing the paperwork required by consumer protection laws. You cannot expect to draft a compelling statute of limitations unless you hire a FDCPA lawyer that has helped numerous clients avoid costly lawsuits.
Your lawyer will also determine if you have case against a third party debt collector for violating one or more FDCPA provisions. Moreover, your lawyer should be skilled at the art of negotiation in case your delinquent debt can be settled via discourse between your lawyer and Northstar Location Services.
What to Include in a Statute of Limitations Letter
Your statute of limitations letter will contain legal language that clearly explains your lawyer has determined the clock has run out on Northstar Location Services. The letter should explain the legal ramifications of filing a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, as well as any other relevant legal points to make that are covered by the FDCPA.
Your lawyer will make sure all of the important information, such as your name and account number of the outstanding debt, is highlighted in a dark font. Do not confuse the statute of limitations on a personal debt with the statute of limitations on the reporting of a delinquent debt to one of the three primary credit reporting agencies.
The statute of limitations for the filing of a lawsuit on an outstanding debt is a state law, while the credit reporting time limit is a federal law.
Speak with a licensed consumer protection lawyer to ensure your statute of limitations letter sent to Northstar Location Services has the legal teeth to pass muster in the United States civil court system.
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.