Old Debt Collector, I don't dispute anything you say. But I think we all see what a crock our current "system" is! It's always on the consumer to jump through hoops. We have to send letters, make phone calls, request written statements from companies -- how often do you think that works?! -- and of course hire attornies. We have to spend our own time & money while the crooks just do what they want with impunity. Sure, you might sat, "But these may be legitimate debt collectors, they have to do their jobs!" Yet you also say, "Debts can be bought out over and over again by institutions keeping that bill active, while drawing interest at the same time." So even if a debt was paid years before, it may go on & on. And the innocent consumer has all the responsibility to prove innocence. Clearly the system is broken! Or maybe it's designed to enrich the crooks!
Keep receiving messages for our son ( who is bedridden and cannot speak) attempting to collect a debt but when you call them back no one is there ,how important can it be if nobody answers? He has a lot of medical bills but everything is paid .And we have never received any letters from anyone saying we owe money .They seem to call randomly, like one month we will get multiple calls weekly and then no calls at all for months ,who are these people ?
Probably trying to scam you for money you don't owe! There's a lot of extortion/scams going on now.
You need to file reports on them regardless! FTC,FCC,State Attorney General for your state! Also know your rights, it sounds like they are in violation of of the FDCPA..