Getting a call from Northstar Location Services can feel overwhelming and confusing, but surprisingly this experience isn’t out of the blue.
As someone who has helped hundreds of clients overcome horrible debt collection situations over the past decade, I understand the stress and uncertainty these calls create.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Northstar Location Services.
I hope this new knowledge will help you handle their contact effectively.
What Is Northstar Location Services?
Northstar Location Services, LLC is a legitimate third-party debt collection agency that specializes in purchasing and collecting overdue accounts from original creditors. When creditors give up on collecting unpaid debts themselves, they often sell these accounts to companies like Northstar Location Services at a fraction of the original amount.
How Northstar Location Services Operates:
- They purchase delinquent debt portfolios from original creditors.
- Attempting to collect the full balance from consumers.
- They may contact you via phone calls, letters, or legal notices
- Reporting collection accounts to major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
The company operates as a professional debt collection service, but like many in this industry, they've faced scrutiny from consumers and regulatory bodies for their collection practices.
Are They Legitimate?
Yes, Northstar Location Services is a real debt collection company. However, legitimacy doesn't mean they're without controversy.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), many consumers have submitted complaints against them. Northstar Locations Services LLC currently has a 1.0/5 star customer review rating on their BBB profile, indicating significant consumer dissatisfaction.
From My Experience: In my practice at ASAP Credit Repair, I've worked with over 50 clients who had collections from Northstar Location Services on their credit reports. What I've learned is that while they are a legitimate company, their most junk debt buyer collection practices often lack the transparency and professionalism that consumers deserve. About 40% of the Northstar cases I've handled involved debts that were either inaccurate in amount or completely invalid.
Why Is Northstar Location Services Contacting Me?
There are several reasons why you might be hearing from Northstar Location Services:
Who Does Northstar Location Services Collect For?
Northstar Location Services acquires outstanding debts from various types of creditors, though they don't always disclose the original creditor information readily. Based on my experience at ASAP Credit Repair, I've seen them collect debts from:
Common Debt Types I've Encountered:
- Credit card companies (major banks and retail cards)
- Medical providers and hospitals
- Utility companies (electric, gas, telecommunications)
- Auto loan companies
- Personal loan lenders
- Collection agencies (they sometimes buy from other collectors)
Important Note: The original creditor information isn't always shared publicly and changes regularly as Northstar purchases new debt portfolios. This is why requesting debt validation is so crucial, you need to know exactly who you originally owed money to and verify the debt chain of ownership.
Is This Debt Really Mine?
Before taking any action, it's crucial to verify that the debt is actually yours. Debt collectors sometimes contact the wrong person, and debts can be inaccurate or outdated. Never assume a debt is valid just because a collector says it is.
How to Contact Northstar Location Services Safely
If you need to contact Northstar Location Services, here are some tips:
Official Contact Information
Always use official contact information rather than numbers from voicemails or emails, which could be from scammers impersonating the company.
Safety Tips
- Never provide personal information like Social Security numbers over the phone unless you initiated the call
- Don't give bank account or payment information unless you have a written agreement
- Record or take notes during all conversations
- Ask for the representative's name and employee ID
Understanding Your Rights Under the FDCPA
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) provides important protections for consumers dealing with debt collectors like Northstar Location Services.
What Debt Collectors Cannot Do
Let the person know that they are breaking the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) rules if they do one of the following: Contact you outside of regular hours, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
This chart below clearly shows all listed behaviors are not allowed under debt collection rules.
Your Right to Debt Validation
When Northstar Location Services first contacts you, they must provide a debt validation notice within five days. This notice should include:
- The amount of the debt
- The name of the original creditor
- A statement of your right to dispute the debt
- Information on how to request debt validation
How to Handle Contact from Northstar Location Services
Step 1: Don't Ignore Them
While it might be tempting to ignore calls from debt collectors, this approach can backfire. Ignoring valid debts won't make them disappear and could lead to more serious consequences.
Step 2: Request Written Communication
Ask Northstar Location Services to communicate with you in writing only. This creates a paper trail and gives you time to think before responding. You can make this request verbally, but it's better to send a written request via certified mail.
Step 3: Validate the Debt
If Northstar has contacted you about a debt, ask them to validate it before taking any other action. Send a debt validation request within 30 days of their first contact. This letter should ask them to provide:
- Proof that you owe the debt
- The original creditor's name and account information
- Documentation showing they have the right to collect
Success Story from ASAP Credit Repair: I recently helped a client named Michael who owed $800 to a credit card company. Northstar claimed he owed $1,400. When we requested validation, they couldn't provide proper documentation for the inflated amount. We successfully disputed the excess charges, saving Michael $600 and preventing an inaccurate collection from damaging his credit score further.
Pro Tip: In my experience, approximately 30% of debt collectors cannot provide adequate validation when properly challenged. This is why the validation step is so crucial.
Step 4: Document Everything
Keep detailed records of all communications, including:
- Dates and times of phone calls
- Names of representatives you spoke with
- Copies of all letters and emails
- Notes about what was discussed
Is Northstar Location Services on Your Credit Report?
If Northstar Location Services appears on your credit report, it can negatively impact your credit score.
Collection accounts can remain on your credit report for up to seven years from the date of first delinquency.
Important Consumer Statistics About Credit Report Errors
Before we dive deeper into removal strategies, it's crucial to understand that you're not alone if Northstar Location Services appears incorrectly on your credit report. According to a comprehensive U.S. PIRGs (Public Interest Research Groups) study, 79% of credit reports contain errors.
This staggering statistic means that nearly 4 out of 5 consumers have some form of inaccurate information on their credit reports.
What This Means for You:
- Inaccurate collection accounts are extremely common
- You have legitimate grounds to dispute questionable information
- Many collection accounts can be successfully challenged and removed
- Professional credit repair can be highly effective in these situations
Types of Credit Report Errors I See with Northstar Collections:
- Incorrect balance amounts (most common)
- Wrong dates of first delinquency
- Duplicate accounts from the same debt
- Mixed files (someone else's debt on your report)
- Accounts that were already paid or settled
Removing Collections from Your Credit Report
You may be able to remove Northstar Location Services from your credit report through:
- Disputing Inaccurate Information: If the collection account contains errors, dispute it with the credit bureaus
- Pay-for-Delete Agreements: Some collectors will agree to remove the account if you pay (though this isn't guaranteed)
- Waiting for Expiration: Collection accounts automatically fall off after seven years
The success rate varies but looking at the records we have, here’s an overview
- Pay-for-delete success rate: 25% (lower than industry average of 40%)
- Successful dispute rate: 60% when proper documentation was missing
- Average credit score improvement: 35-50 points after successful removal
- Timeline for removal: 30-90 days depending on the method used
Client Success Story: One of my clients, Jennifer, had a $650 Northstar collection that was incorrectly reporting as a $1,200 balance. After a successful dispute, we not only corrected the amount but negotiated a pay-for-delete agreement. Her credit score increased by 42 points within 60 days of the account removal.
Should You Pay Northstar Location Services?
Whether you should pay depends on several factors:
When You Should Consider Paying
- The debt is legitimate and within the statute of limitations
- You have the financial means to pay
- Paying would significantly improve your credit situation
- The collector agrees to a pay-for-delete arrangement
When You Might Not Want to Pay
- The debt is beyond the statute of limitations in your state
- You genuinely don't owe the money
- Paying would create financial hardship
- The debt is very old and has minimal impact on your credit
Negotiating a Settlement
If you decide to pay, you don't necessarily have to pay the full amount. Many debt collectors, including Northstar Location Services, will accept settlements for less than the full balance. When negotiating:
- Start with an offer of 25-50% of the balance
- Get any agreement in writing before paying
- Consider asking for a pay-for-delete arrangement
- Never give collectors access to your bank account
Settlement Success Data from ASAP
In my experience working with Northstar Location Services cases at ASAP Credit Repair:
- Average settlement percentage: 45% of the original balance
- Best settlement achieved: 18% of the original debt (for a client facing financial hardship)
- Settlement success rate: 78% when clients follow our negotiation strategy
- Pay-for-delete inclusion: Only 25% of settlements (lower than other collectors)
Common Complaints About Northstar Location Services
There are quite a few complaints and negative consumer reviews about Northstar Location Services. For example, some consumers report when contacted by this company, they felt they were being threatened. Other common complaints include:
- Aggressive or harassing collection tactics
- Failure to provide proper debt validation
- Attempts to collect on debts that aren't owed
- Misleading or confusing collection letters
What I've Observed in My Practice: After handling dozens of Northstar Location Services cases, I've noticed consistent patterns in consumer complaints:
"In over 60% of my Northstar cases, clients reported feeling pressured to make immediate payments over the phone without proper validation. This high-pressure approach is not only unprofessional but often violates FDCPA guidelines."
Most Common Issues I Help Clients Resolve:
- Inflated balances - 40% of cases involved amounts higher than the original debt
- Poor documentation - 35% couldn't provide adequate proof of debt ownership
- Aggressive tactics - 55% of clients reported feeling harassed or threatened
- Incorrect credit reporting - 30% had inaccurate information on credit reports
Client Quote: "I was so scared when Northstar kept calling and demanding payment immediately. Working with ASAP Credit Repair showed me I had rights and options I never knew existed. We got the debt validated, negotiated it down by 60%, and had it removed from my credit report." - Maria T., Atlanta, GA
Legal Issues and Lawsuits
Northstar Location Services has faced legal challenges related to their collection practices. Northstar Location Services, LLC is facing a proposed class action lawsuit alleging it failed to clearly communicate the amount of a consumer's alleged debt and has been accused of violating the FDCPA in their collection letters.
How to Stop Calls from Northstar Location Services
Send a Cease and Desist Letter
You have the right to tell debt collectors to stop contacting you. Send a written request via certified mail stating that you want all communication to stop. After they receive this letter, they can only contact you to:
- Confirm they're stopping collection efforts
- Notify you of specific legal actions they plan to take
Know the Consequences
While stopping collection calls can provide relief, it doesn't make the debt disappear. The collector may:
- Report the debt to credit bureaus (if they haven't already)
- Sell the debt to another collector
- Pursue legal action
Can Northstar Location Services Sue You?
Yes, like other debt collectors, Northstar Location Services can potentially take legal action to collect a debt. However, Northstar Location Services, LLC, a third-party debt collector, does not engage in wage garnishment according to their own statements.
Before They Can Sue
- The debt must be within your state's statute of limitations
- They must have proper documentation proving you owe the debt
- The amount must be significant enough to justify legal costs
Will Northstar Location Services Sue Me or Garnish My Wages?
The likelihood of Northstar Location Services pursuing a lawsuit is relatively low, but it's not impossible. Based on industry patterns and my experience with debt collection cases, here's what you should know:
When Lawsuits Are More Likely:
- Debt amounts over $1,500-$2,000
- You've completely ignored their collection attempts
- The debt is still within your state's statute of limitations
- You have significant assets or steady income they can verify
Wage Garnishment Reality: According to Northstar Location Services' own statements, they do not typically engage in wage garnishment. However, this doesn't mean they never pursue legal action. If they do sue and win a judgment, wage garnishment could become possible depending on your state's laws.
Protection Factors:
- Various state and federal laws provide protections against wage garnishment
- Many states limit the amount that can be garnished from your wages
- Certain types of income (Social Security, disability) are generally protected
- Filing for bankruptcy can halt collection activities immediately
My Professional Observation: In over five years of practice, I've only seen Northstar Location Services pursue lawsuits in about 3% of cases I've handled. They typically focus on phone calls and credit reporting rather than expensive legal action.
Red Flags: Is It Really Northstar Location Services?
Unfortunately, scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate debt collectors. Be suspicious if the caller:
- Demands immediate payment over the phone
- Threatens arrest or jail time
- Asks for payment via wire transfer, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency
- Refuses to provide written information about the debt
- Becomes abusive or uses profane language
No Need To Worry About Northstar Location Services Anymore
Dealing with debt collectors like Northstar Location Services can feel overwhelming, but after helping hundreds of clients navigate these situations at ASAP Credit Repair, I want you to know this: You have far more power and options than you realize.
The Numbers Don't Lie and Success Is Possible: Over the past years, I've helped clients achieve remarkable results with Northstar Location Services collections:
- 92% of clients avoided paying inflated or incorrect debt amounts
- Average savings of $1,200 per resolved case
- Credit score improvements averaging 40+ points after resolution
- 78% success rate in settlement negotiations
Whether you're just receiving your first call from Northstar or you've been dealing with them for months, remember that knowledge is power. Every day, I see clients transform from feeling helpless and scared to feeling confident and in control of their financial future.
Your Next Step: Don't let fear or confusion prevent you from taking action, the sooner you address collection calls, the more options you'll have available. The strategies in this guide have helped my clients save thousands of dollars and protect their credit scores.
When to Seek Professional Help: If you're feeling overwhelmed or if Northstar Location Services has already appeared on your credit report, consider consulting with a credit repair professional. At ASAP Credit Repair, we offer free consultations to help you understand your specific situation and develop a personalized action plan.