beatlemyn02,
I'd be interested in knowing your story, because I'm about to take a couple of junk debt buyers to court. LVNV for one.
I believe that if a person honestly owes a debt to a company, and is contacted by a 3rd party collector, one should try to settle. --But-- as to "junk debt" buyers (ie., debt purchasers) no one morally, nor legally owes them anything. You will not help your credit rating by paying them, in fact it could be made worse.
You are very right. In Texas we have various laws which idiot
debt collectors in other parts of the country are probably unaware of.
In Texas, even if they somehow get a judgment against you:
You have a $30,000 personal asset exemption ($60,000 family). This especially effective if you are unemployed or self employed. You could be considered "judgment proof".
They cannot take your house or car (except if this is what the money was owed on).
They have 30 days to answer a request for validation.
And many others, which also applies to original creditors (not just 3rd party collectors). In short, if Texas residents demand their rights, collectors stand to get next to nothing to satisfy judgments.