Collections Notice! Can I ignore it?

Question

I just got a collections notice in the mail for a telephone bill I may or may not have had in 1993! At the very least, I shared that number with a roommate. WTF?!!! Could not have come at a worse time. Can I ignore this or dispute this, or will it adversely affect my credit?

It most certainly is out of the statute of limitations! What exactly does that mean?

Answer 1

I agree with those that said to inform the collection agency it has passed the collecting SOL.
Telephone bills generally fall under the UCC for a 4 year SOL

Being past the collecting SOL means that you have a legal right to NOT pay. It also means that you have a legal right to inform the collection agency it is past the collecting SOL and no longer legally collectible.

Being past the collecting SOL does not mean they might not try to sue. Even though filing on a time barred debt is illegal, it is up to the debtor to utilize the SOL defense.

That is why it is better to send a SOL letter than to ignore it.
If they are planning on suing, a SOL letter would legally stop them in their tracks.

You might click on my profile and do some reading in the last link I have listed.

Answer 2

I would ask for proof of the debt and not just assume it is out of statute. I don't know where you got the 1993 date, but that could be an opening date and not the date of last activity (which is the date the statue runs from). Once proof is given, then you can make a determination if it is out of statute and assert that defense.
Do everything in writing, certified mail, etc.

Answer 3

the phone company sends all their very over due bills to a collections agency. The fact that its from 1993 is interesting, call the collections agency and ask for proof of debt and b i tch about how its so old, i bet they just give it up

Answer 4

I would call and investigate it. And then after you find out the details to see if it is valid or not, dispute it. It will adversely affect your credit if it is a valid debt and it is in your name.

Answer 5

You can dispute it, but I don't recommend ignoring it. You might want to check with an attorney, the statute of limitations might be up, which means the timeframe for them to pursue you might be over.

Answer 6

NO, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IGNORE THIS! Your credit is your life, without it you cannot do anything. You should run a credit report to verify that you, in fact had that telephone bill under your name. If you find something shady dispute it immediately.

Answer 7

You can ignore it, however it will adversely affect your credit.
Trying to dispute it will be a long and arduous process.

Answer 8

Way outside the statute of limitations

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

I'd check with my old roomie just in case.

Answer 9

dispute it but if it doesn;t work pay it cause it will seriously f#$k up your credit