Complaint Review: Northland Group - Edina Minnesota

When first contacting consumers, debt collectors must inform debtors of their rights to dispute the debt. This is referred to as the "mini-Miranda" disclosure information, a reference to the Miranda rights statement law enforcement officers must give prior to arresting criminal suspects. The debt collector must tell the debtor: 1) the amount of the debt, 2) the name of the creditor, 3) the fact that unless the consumer disputes the validity of the debt within 30 days, the debt will be considered valid, and 4) that the consumer can ask for verification (Validation) of the debt. According to the law, this information can be given over the phone or must be sent to consumers in writing within five days of the first telephone contact. Consumers contacted by debt collection agencies can request written verification or proof of their debts -- but they must do so in writing with a verification letter ( "Validation" of debt ) that must be sent within 30 days of the initial contact from the collector. Collection calls and letters must stop until the debt is verified. They must provide verification ( "Validation" ) of the debt with information to help the consumer understand the identity of the original creditor. The debt collector can either provide that verification and can resume collection or if the debt collector cannot provide that verification, the debt collector must cease collection on that account." This request for validation should include a request for the original credit application with the customer's signature, billing statements, receipts for products purchased, copies of previous payment instruments (cancelled checks), etc. Since no collection agency has these documents, they must cease all collection efforts. Your validation letter should specifically ask for the kind of documents and state that failing to provide these, the debt is NOT valid and all collection efforts must stop. Additionally, you should include a paragraph stating that because the debt is not valid, any attempt to transmit a negative entry to any credit reporting company will result in formal complaints being filed with all appropriate government agencies (Federal Trade Commission and state's Attorney General.) If the collection agency fails to follow the law, you should in fact learn your rights and pursue proper complaints.

When first contacting consumers, debt collectors must inform debtors of their rights to dispute the debt. This is referred to as the "mini-Miranda" disclosure information, a reference to the Miranda rights statement law enforcement officers must give prior to arresting criminal suspects. The debt collector must tell the debtor: 1) the amount of the debt, 2) the name of the creditor, 3) the fact that unless the consumer disputes the validity of the debt within 30 days, the debt will be considered valid, and 4) that the consumer can ask for verification (Validation) of the debt. According to the law, this information can be given over the phone or must be sent to consumers in writing within five days of the first telephone contact. Consumers contacted by debt collection agencies can request written verification or proof of their debts -- but they must do so in writing with a verification letter ( "Validation" of debt ) that must be sent within 30 days of the initial contact from the collector. Collection calls and letters must stop until the debt is verified. They must provide verification ( "Validation" ) of the debt with information to help the consumer understand the identity of the original creditor. The debt collector can either provide that verification and can resume collection or if the debt collector cannot provide that verification, the debt collector must cease collection on that account." This request for validation should include a request for the original credit application with the customer's signature, billing statements, receipts for products purchased, copies of previous payment instruments (cancelled checks), etc. Since no collection agency has these documents, they must cease all collection efforts. Your validation letter should specifically ask for the kind of documents and state that failing to provide these, the debt is NOT valid and all collection efforts must stop. Additionally, you should include a paragraph stating that because the debt is not valid, any attempt to transmit a negative entry to any credit reporting company will result in formal complaints being filed with all appropriate government agencies (Federal Trade Commission and state's Attorney General.) If the collection agency fails to follow the law, you should in fact learn your rights and pursue proper complaints.

When first contacting consumers, debt collectors must inform debtors of their rights to dispute the debt. This is referred to as the "mini-Miranda" disclosure information, a reference to the Miranda rights statement law enforcement officers must give prior to arresting criminal suspects. The debt collector must tell the debtor: 1) the amount of the debt, 2) the name of the creditor, 3) the fact that unless the consumer disputes the validity of the debt within 30 days, the debt will be considered valid, and 4) that the consumer can ask for verification (Validation) of the debt. According to the law, this information can be given over the phone or must be sent to consumers in writing within five days of the first telephone contact. Consumers contacted by debt collection agencies can request written verification or proof of their debts -- but they must do so in writing with a verification letter ( "Validation" of debt ) that must be sent within 30 days of the initial contact from the collector. Collection calls and letters must stop until the debt is verified. They must provide verification ( "Validation" ) of the debt with information to help the consumer understand the identity of the original creditor. The debt collector can either provide that verification and can resume collection or if the debt collector cannot provide that verification, the debt collector must cease collection on that account." This request for validation should include a request for the original credit application with the customer's signature, billing statements, receipts for products purchased, copies of previous payment instruments (cancelled checks), etc. Since no collection agency has these documents, they must cease all collection efforts. Your validation letter should specifically ask for the kind of documents and state that failing to provide these, the debt is NOT valid and all collection efforts must stop. Additionally, you should include a paragraph stating that because the debt is not valid, any attempt to transmit a negative entry to any credit reporting company will result in formal complaints being filed with all appropriate government agencies (Federal Trade Commission and state's Attorney General.) If the collection agency fails to follow the law, you should in fact learn your rights and pursue proper complaints.

When first contacting consumers, debt collectors must inform debtors of their rights to dispute the debt. This is referred to as the "mini-Miranda" disclosure information, a reference to the Miranda rights statement law enforcement officers must give prior to arresting criminal suspects. The debt collector must tell the debtor: 1) the amount of the debt, 2) the name of the creditor, 3) the fact that unless the consumer disputes the validity of the debt within 30 days, the debt will be considered valid, and 4) that the consumer can ask for verification (Validation) of the debt. According to the law, this information can be given over the phone or must be sent to consumers in writing within five days of the first telephone contact. Consumers contacted by debt collection agencies can request written verification or proof of their debts -- but they must do so in writing with a verification letter ( "Validation" of debt ) that must be sent within 30 days of the initial contact from the collector. Collection calls and letters must stop until the debt is verified. They must provide verification ( "Validation" ) of the debt with information to help the consumer understand the identity of the original creditor. The debt collector can either provide that verification and can resume collection or if the debt collector cannot provide that verification, the debt collector must cease collection on that account." This request for validation should include a request for the original credit application with the customer's signature, billing statements, receipts for products purchased, copies of previous payment instruments (cancelled checks), etc. Since no collection agency has these documents, they must cease all collection efforts. Your validation letter should specifically ask for the kind of documents and state that failing to provide these, the debt is NOT valid and all collection efforts must stop. Additionally, you should include a paragraph stating that because the debt is not valid, any attempt to transmit a negative entry to any credit reporting company will result in formal complaints being filed with all appropriate government agencies (Federal Trade Commission and state's Attorney General.) If the collection agency fails to follow the law, you should in fact learn your rights and pursue proper complaints.

The letters I received from them were about a legitimate debit, and I have them fax me the settlement offer I worked out with them (which was lower than my letter), and once paid I was faxed a receipt (and mailed). It was then fixed on my credit report saying Paid. So I have never had a problem with this company and the people I spoke to where wonderful, and very accommodating. I don't know if it was because we are military or not but that was my experience.

The letters I received from them were about a legitimate debit, and I have them fax me the settlement offer I worked out with them (which was lower than my letter), and once paid I was faxed a receipt (and mailed). It was then fixed on my credit report saying Paid. So I have never had a problem with this company and the people I spoke to where wonderful, and very accommodating. I don't know if it was because we are military or not but that was my experience.

The letters I received from them were about a legitimate debit, and I have them fax me the settlement offer I worked out with them (which was lower than my letter), and once paid I was faxed a receipt (and mailed). It was then fixed on my credit report saying Paid. So I have never had a problem with this company and the people I spoke to where wonderful, and very accommodating. I don't know if it was because we are military or not but that was my experience.

The letters I received from them were about a legitimate debit, and I have them fax me the settlement offer I worked out with them (which was lower than my letter), and once paid I was faxed a receipt (and mailed). It was then fixed on my credit report saying Paid. So I have never had a problem with this company and the people I spoke to where wonderful, and very accommodating. I don't know if it was because we are military or not but that was my experience.