Debt agency asking for money...Statue of limitions???

Question

A debt collection agency has sent me a bill from AT&T for about $200. This account was opened in 2000. I can't even remember it. Anyway, the statue of limitations is 5 years...what should I do now?

Answer 1

Since the SOL ran out, you are not obligating to pay the debt. If they continue to call send a cease and desist letter, 1 regular, 1 certified and keep a copy.

Answer 2

Once the SOL has expired, they've lost power over you. Send them a Cease Communications letter.

Send them a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt stating:

Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,  I am requesting that you cease communications with me about this alleged debt.

Answer 3

Honestly?  You should pay it.  It's bad enough that your credit report now shows selling this debt to someone else, but a complete write-off is probably something you'll want to avoid.

The statute of limitations doesn't mean you're no longer responsible for the debt...it just means you're protected from a lawsuit related to the debt.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

If you don't remember the debt, I suggest that you don't pay it until you do.  Know what you're paying and be confident that it is your account.  Request documents other than a bill for proof, maybe you have something on file like past invoices or canceled checks.  The best record is a complete statement that show what was previously paid and the months that were missed.  

Since you know the SOL, chances are AT&T has written off the debt and pass it to the debt collection agency.  The collection agency will take money from anybody and if paid by mistake, you won’t get your money back.   The debt agency will either pocket all the money or pass a percentage of it to AT&T.  It depends on what contract they worked out.

Bankrate.com has information on what to do regarding statute of limitation for  old debts.