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Answer

Is Gatestone & Co legit -- and how do you deal with them?

Yes -- Gatestone & Co is a legitimate, licensed debt collection agency, not a scam. It's a large multinational business-process outsourcing (BPO) company with U.S. operations, and it provides customer-service and accounts-receivable work as well as first- and third-party collections. In practice that means Gatestone usually collects on behalf of the ORIGINAL creditor on a contingency basis -- common clients include telecom companies, banks, utilities, and government agencies -- rather than buying charged-off debt as a debt buyer. That distinction matters, so the first step when a name you don't recognize appears is to demand written validation and ask two questions: what type of account is this, and who owns it? If the answer is an ordinary unsecured consumer account -- a credit-card balance or a telecom bill -- you keep your full rights under the FDCPA (don't admit the debt on a call, dispute anything that isn't yours, get the amount and original creditor in writing), and a genuinely-owed balance can often be settled in writing once it's validated. But if the account is a GOVERNMENT debt or a utility balance, be careful: those often can NOT be resolved through a consumer debt-settlement program the way a credit card can. Government-backed and utility debts have their own rules, hardship programs, and payment plans, and the right move is usually to deal directly with the agency or creditor rather than route it into a settlement program. Whatever the account, check the statute of limitations, because a payment or written promise can restart it. And because Gatestone operates internationally, be extra disciplined about payments: only ever pay by a traceable method, get every agreement in writing first, and never wire money, send gift cards, or pay a "collector" off a phone call or a link -- those are hallmarks of an impostor even when the real agency is legitimate. A forgiven unsecured balance over $600 can trigger a 1099-C.

RC
By Renee Calderon — Consumer debt & rights writer

Gatestone & Co is a real, licensed agency -- a big multinational outsourcing company that collects for other businesses. Because it usually collects FOR the original creditor rather than buying the debt, your first job is to find out what the account is and who owns it.

Short answer

Yes, Gatestone & Co is legit -- a licensed multinational outsourcing and collections company. It usually collects for the original creditor. Demand written validation, ask what the account is and who owns it, and always pay by a traceable method.

Agency vs. buyer -- who owns the account?

If it's a government or utility account

Your rights

Is it a scam?

No -- Gatestone & Co is a real, licensed agency, not a fake front. But impostors imitate international collectors, so verify the account in writing, use a traceable payment method, and never wire money or pay by gift card.

If the debt is genuinely yours

Once it's validated and within the statute of limitations, a genuinely-owed unsecured consumer balance can often be settled in writing. Get any agreement in writing before you pay. If a forgiven balance exceeds $600, you may receive a 1099-C; consider asking a tax professional.

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your rights and timelines vary by state; consider consulting a qualified attorney, a nonprofit credit counselor, or legal aid.

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