Is there a statute of limitations in Washington State for a Credit card?

Question

I got a letter in the mail from a coll agency - first time ever- Credit report is clean, and apparently, it is for my husband, out of state, from over 12 years ago- what should I do? should I ignore it? I was going to dispute it, but he said maybe we shouldnt do anything.

its from 1992- my husband barely remembers the debt. He doesnt live in that state anymore

Answer 1

Washington State has a 6 year statute for written contracts and promissory notes. 3 years for oral contracts.

If the account in question is over 7 years from the 'date of last activity', then it should not reflect on your credit record.

However, if you are planning to apply for a credit line in excess of $150,000 or apply for a job that pays over $75,000 per year, it may be included in future credit reports or background checks.

Request a copy of your credit report from all 3 major credit bureaus. Equifax, Experian and Trans-Union. If the credit card is not on any report, then there should be no need to address it.

If it is recorded on your credit record, submit a 'Certified Letter-Return Receipt Requested' to the 'CREDIT BUREAU' disputing the validity of the debt.

Inform them that if they cannot verify the debt and provide you documentation of the debt, then you are requesting that they delete the file from your record and that they send you an updated copy of your credit report reflecting the correction.

Answer 2

This webapage may have some of the answers. It's for business to business credit and collections, but most of the material is relevant for individual debtors and creditors. See the section marked "statute of limitations by state".

http://www.creditmanagementworld.com/legal.html

Answer 3

ignore it. they're fishing for possible information.

Legally, they can't touch you.