Junk Debt Buyers

A junk debt buyer is a company that buys defaulted credit accounts. They buy this debt for pennies on the dollar and then try to collect on the "junk" debt.

"Junk" debt gets in name in the following manner. Joe Individual defaults on a credit card account. The original creditor attempts to collect what is owed from Joe Individual. If the original creditor fails, they charge-off the debt (charge off is an accounting term that means "uncollectible debt", it does not mean that you no longer owe the debt). After charge off, the defaulted account is placed with other defaulted accounts into a portfolio, and the portfolio is sold to the highest bidder, a junk debt buyer.

People often say "I didn't agree to that" or "They can't sue me because I did not agree to the sale", but your agreement is not necessary when it comes to the purchase or sale of a defaulted credit account.

Once you default on an account, the original creditor obtains the right to sue you for the balance owed. This is called a "legal interest". Any legal interest can be sold to anyone for any price, and the individual has nothing to say about the transaction.

The junk debt buyer then attempts to collect on the debt. This usually starts with a phone call or letter, but it could quickly escalate into the filing of a lawsuit.

Believe it or not, a lawsuit from a junk debt buyer is to your benefit. In my experience, I have found that junk debt buyers often do not acquire all of the necessary documentation that is needed to prevail in a court of law against debtors (individuals who owe money or who have defaulted on credit accounts). The typical package that a junk debt buyer acquires consists of the debtor's name, address, telephone number, account number, charge-off date and amount allegedly owed. Many other documents and pieces of evidence are needed to prevail in a court of law.

Some of the larger junk debt buyers that we have experience with are listed on the links to the right side of this page. Be sure to browse the list to find out more information about junk debt buyers. 

If you have a credit card company or a collection agency attempting to collect a debt from you, or if you have more questions about junk debt buyers, please contact my office at 412-823-8003 or send an email to Attorney Greg Artim or visit our Pennsylvania Credit Card Legal Center here.