My son had a phone in my name while in college and I never knew he owned any bills.Now 11 years later a collection agency has contacted me about this bill...
2007-02-08 10:30:53 · 8 answers · asked by suzyq 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
If this new company bought the loan from your original company then they can, and from the point they bought the loan, it will show on your CBR where it can remain for up to 7 years.
My suggestion is this. Dispute the debt in writing to them. They are required to prove the debt is yours within 30 days. If they fail to respond it must be removed from your CBR.
One more thing, they cannot sue on a debt this old even though they bought it... If it is a legit debt, you should see if they will offer a settlement. These companies buy old debts for pennies on the dollar and hope for the best. Of course wait until after they validate the debt. Since you did not live at same address as the bill originated from, they may have a hard time.
2007-02-08 10:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by amyl2285 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A collection agency is trying to collect on a debt that's 11 years old??? They must be REALLY desperate for money!
I wouldn't lose any sleep over this. Collection agencies can only report adverse accounts to credit bureaus up to 7 years from the date of the last activity (e.g. the last missed payment). Also, if the statute of limitations have passed in your state they cannot sue you or garnish your wages. For the cost of a cell phone or cell phone bill they wouldn't take you to court anyway.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Don't pay them anything or agree to pay them anything.
2. Write the collection agency and tell them to get lost!
2007-02-09 10:33:37 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can try to collect until the debt is paid. However if you tell them not to contact you again, they are not allowed to contact you except to serve you with a lawsuit. After 11 years, the statue of limitations for filing a suit has probably expired. In that case, the have no legal method of collecting. You won't be able to get a phone though that company without paying, but I doubt you want to.
2007-02-08 11:50:17 · answer #3 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you live in the US they can't do anything after 11 years. It's already off of your credit history, so paying any part of the debt will only hurt your credit AND be a waste of money. These people don't have the law on your side. If they continue to harass you over an 11 year old debt (doesn't matter whether or not you paid it) you can threaten to sue them.
2016-05-23 22:50:09 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the statute of limitations in your jurisdiction. Typically, it is 6 years on an outstanding amount of this nature. Also, check with the collection agency regulations in your jursidiction. Trying to collect a debt which is beyond the statue of limitations is illegal in some jurisdictions. Pointing this out to the agency mights scare them and get them off your back quickly.
2007-02-08 10:37:23 · answer #5 · answered by grandbendbeachboy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't say what state you are in but in California the statute of limitations for "business" collections is 4 years.
2007-02-08 10:38:25 · answer #6 · answered by Cher 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html#5
2007-02-09 00:15:23 · answer #7 · answered by DaMan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How can they if you don't pay it..
Let them eat cake.
2007-02-08 10:33:33 · answer #8 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋