Northland Group Inc. Demand for payment to individual on SSI. Options offered citing tax season. 3 payments or 6 payments for less than a third of the asserted total. Internet, Internet

TO THE 2ND RESPONDER--you stated that these companies purchase debt that has been written off by creditors so in fact it is not actually owed to anyone.  Please expand on the comment-does this mean if you are paying the 3rd party collector the money does not get to the origianl creditor? Who benefits from the payments if we do make them to the 3rd party collector? How does that affect your credit if you do not technically owe the 3rd party then why do they list their name as a creditor on a credit report as a negative collection? Thanks for the help.

Just a couple of suggestions:

1.  Write the company and DEMAND proof of the debt.  They will simply send you something showing that money was owed, but it will not be the agreement that led to the initial debt.  Therefore it will not be valid.

2.  In your demand letter, demand the date the debt was FIRST contracted.  It is likely that the date of the debt owed is past the Statute of Limitations, thereby rendering it uncollectible.

3.  If you do not owe, either because it was never owed or is past the Statute of Limitations, tell them to cease and desist any further collection efforts.

DO NOT make any payment, partial or otherwise.  This will only renew the debt and reset the Statute of Limitations.

DO NOT accept any phone calls from them.  Demand everything in writing.

DO NOT acknowledge the debt.

As an aside, these companies buy old debt that was written off by the issuer of the debt.  Since it was written off, there is no reason for anyone to pay these demands for payment. 

If, however, you do indeed owe the debt (it is valid), then pay it.