How long does a business have to collect on "alleged" unpaid bills from a consumer?

Question

Can a utility send you to a collection agency for a bill that was supposedly unpaid 13 years ago? Are there any statues of limitations on alleged unpaid bills in New York City, NY or California?

Answer 1

If the debt was in your name, then you will have to show documentation that you paid it.

Answer 2

Statute of limitations:

Once a debt passes beyond the statute of limitation in your state, a debt collector no longer has the right to sue you for payment. You may still have a moral obligation to pay back an old, forgotten debt, but you can't be sued over it.

Any debt collector who threatens to sue you over a debt that is beyond the statute of limitation in your state is in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

The chart below offers a state-by-state roundup of statutes of limitations for delinquent debt. Credit cards are considered open accounts. If you're being hassled about an old debt, the chart below is a great starting point and was accurate as of the date it was published here.

4/6 years max
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20040116b2.asp#il

Answer 3

No. There are only statutes on how long one can bring legal action to collect past due charges. They are probably past the statute of limitations for filing any judgment, but they can still attempt to collect what is due them.

Needless to say, failure to pay the charges, if they are genuine, will reflect in your credit file.

Answer 4

I think everyone else nailed this one already! But please note, if you make ANY payment on this debt after the statute of limitations expires... that restarts the clock all over! Statute of limitations is from the date of last payment, not the date the account was opened.

Answer 5

Check here for your state:

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20040116b2.asp#mt.asp

Also keep in ind that if you incurred the debt in one state and then moved to another and then moved back to the state you incurred the debt in, in some cases the Statute of Limitations can "stay", which means that the time can stop since you moved back. I would check whit an attorney in your state.

Answer 6

They can still try to collect and leave it on your credit report forever, they just can't sue you anymore. They can try and collect (calls, mail) for as long as they want, as you are still liable.