Northstar Location Services: How To Deal With Them

Northstar Location Services LLC is a legitimate debt collection agency. They’re part of The Northstar Companies. They collect consumer debts like credit cards, medical bills, and utility balances.

If Northstar contacts you, don’t panic. You have rights. You need to validate the debt first. After validation, you can dispute it, negotiate a settlement, or explore other options.

Can't Afford to Pay Northstar Location Services?

Cambridge Credit Counseling can help you negotiate a payment plan that fits your budget. They work with collectors like Northstar to reduce your monthly payments and lower interest rates.

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What Is Northstar Location Services?

Northstar Location Services LLC is a third-party debt collector. They have offices in both the U.S. and Canada. They collect various types of consumer debt on behalf of creditors.

Here’s their contact information:

Website: https://www.thenorthstarcompanies.com/
Phone: (716) 817-6770 / (877) 630-6700
U.S. Office: 4285 Genesee Street, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Canada Office: 350 Bertie Street, Fort Erie, Ontario L2A 1Z5

Why Is Northstar Contacting You?

Northstar is contacting you because a creditor hired them. The original company couldn’t collect your debt. Now Northstar has taken over the collection process.

Your debt could be from several sources:

Credit cards
Medical bills
Utility accounts
Personal loans
Other unpaid balances

Once Northstar takes over, they become your main contact. All payment plans, settlements, and questions go through them now.

Is Northstar Location Services Legitimate?

Yes, Northstar is a legitimate debt collection company. They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. But they’re not BBB accredited.

However, many consumers have filed complaints. Northstar has a 1.0 out of 5-star customer review rating on BBB. They’ve received 54 complaints in the past three years. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shows 113 complaints in the past year alone.

Common complaints include:

Attempting to collect debts consumers don’t owe
Repeated phone calls after being asked to stop
Not providing enough information to verify debts

These actions may violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This federal law protects you from harassment and unfair collection practices.

You can file a complaint with the CFPB if Northstar violates your rights. In some cases, you can take legal action and recover money.

How Do You Know If You’re Being Scammed?

Scammers sometimes impersonate legitimate debt collectors like Northstar. They want your personal or financial information.

Watch for these red flags:

Pressure to share your bank account number
Requests for your Social Security number
Aggressive or threatening behavior
Refusal to provide verification in writing

A legitimate debt collector already has your basic information. They shouldn’t need to ask for sensitive details upfront.

Trust your gut. If something feels off, ask questions. Don’t rush into anything. You can report suspected scammers to the Federal Trade Commission.

Do You Have To Pay Northstar Location Services?

You might have to pay, but validate the debt first. Debt collectors make mistakes. They get amounts wrong. Sometimes they contact the wrong person entirely.

Debt validation confirms three important things:

The debt is actually yours
Northstar has the right to collect it
The amount they claim is correct

Don’t pay anything until you verify these details.

Step 1: Request Debt Verification

Northstar should send you a debt validation letter. This happens either with their first contact or within five days. The letter must include the amount owed, the original creditor’s name, and dispute instructions.

If you don’t receive this letter, send them a debt verification letter. You can also use this letter to dispute the debt or request more information.

Important timing: If you send a written dispute within 30 days, Northstar must pause collection efforts. They can’t continue until they verify the debt.

If they can’t verify the debt, they must stop contacting you. If they can verify it, you’ll need to decide your next steps.

Step 2: Choose Your Next Move

After Northstar validates your debt, you have several options. Each comes with different consequences. Choose the one that fits your situation best.

Option 1: Dispute the Debt

Dispute the debt if something looks inaccurate. The validation letter should explain how to dispute. Follow those instructions carefully.

Check your credit reports too. If Northstar has incorrect information, the credit bureaus might too. Dispute inaccurate entries directly with them.

You can get free credit reports weekly from all three major bureaus. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to access yours. Review them carefully for errors.

A 609 letter can help dispute credit report entries. Send one to request more information about questionable items. It doesn’t guarantee removal, but it can uncover reporting errors.

Option 2: Negotiate a Settlement

Can’t afford to pay the full amount? You can negotiate a settlement. Many debt collectors accept partial payment rather than nothing at all.

Settlements typically range from 40% to 60% of the original balance. Start lower, around 25%. Show willingness to negotiate. You might meet in the middle around 50%.

Northstar often agrees to settlements because:

Collecting the full amount is difficult
Older debts are harder to collect
Partial payment now beats nothing later

Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling can help you create a payment plan that works for your budget.

Option 3: Ignore the Debt (Not Recommended)

Ignoring debt feels easier in the moment. But it makes things worse. The debt won’t disappear. Collection efforts will intensify over time.

Ignoring Northstar can lead to:

Damaged credit scores
Increased debt through interest and fees
Legal action and lawsuits
Wage garnishment
Bank account levies

If Northstar sues you and you don’t respond, they can win by default. This is called a default judgment. It allows them to garnish your wages or take other collection actions.

The statute of limitations varies by state. But ignoring debt doesn’t stop collectors. They can still pursue you within the legal time limits.

Can Northstar Location Services Sue You?

Yes, Northstar can sue you if you don’t respond. If they’ve tried contacting you multiple times without success, they may file a debt collection lawsuit.

Whether they sue depends on several factors:

Your state’s wage garnishment laws
How long the debt has been outstanding
The total amount you owe
Whether litigation is cost-effective for them

What Happens If You Get Sued?

You’ll receive two official court documents: a summons and a complaint. The summons notifies you of the lawsuit. The complaint outlines the case details.

These papers are usually hand-delivered. Someone will give them to you directly or leave them with an adult at your home.

Don’t ignore a lawsuit. Responding is critical to protecting your rights. If you need help drafting an answer, our partner Solo can help you respond to debt lawsuits quickly and affordably.

Know Your Rights Under the FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive collection practices. Debt collectors like Northstar must follow specific rules.

Northstar cannot:

Call you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
Contact you at work if you’ve told them not to
Harass, threaten, or abuse you
Use false or misleading statements
Continue calling after you’ve requested they stop

If Northstar violates the FDCPA, you have legal options. File a complaint with the CFPB. Consider consulting a consumer rights attorney. You may be entitled to compensation.

How Northstar Affects Your Credit Score

Debt collections damage your credit score significantly. When Northstar reports your debt to credit bureaus, it appears as a negative mark.

Collections can lower your score by 50 to 100 points or more. The impact depends on your previous credit history. Better credit suffers larger drops.

Collection accounts stay on your credit report for seven years. This happens from the date of your first missed payment. The debt doesn’t need to be paid for this timeline to start.

Paying off or settling a collection helps. But it doesn’t remove the entry immediately. The account will show as “paid” or “settled.” Your score may improve slightly over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northstar Location Services?

Northstar Location Services LLC is a third-party debt collection agency that collects consumer debts including credit cards, medical bills, and utility balances. They're part of The Northstar Companies with offices in the U.S. and Canada.

How do I verify a debt from Northstar Location Services?

Request a debt validation letter from Northstar within 30 days of their first contact. The letter should include the amount owed, the original creditor's name, and instructions for disputing the debt. You can also send them a debt verification letter requesting proof.

Can Northstar Location Services sue me for unpaid debt?

Yes, Northstar can sue you if collection attempts go unanswered. If they sue and you don't respond, they can win a default judgment allowing them to garnish your wages or levy your bank account. Always respond to lawsuits within the deadline specified in your summons.

How much will Northstar settle for?

Northstar typically settles for 40-60% of the original debt amount. You can start by offering 25% and negotiating up to around 50%. They often prefer partial payment now rather than continuing to pursue the full amount.

What happens if I ignore Northstar Location Services?

Ignoring Northstar can damage your credit score, increase your debt through added fees and interest, and lead to a lawsuit. If they sue and you don't respond, they can obtain a default judgment and garnish your wages or bank accounts.

How To Deal With Northstar Location Services (2025 Guide)