I recieved a bill from a collection company for a hospital visit 13 years ago is there a limit to pay this?

Question

I recieved a bill from a collection company for a hospital visit 13 years ago is there a limit to pay this?

Answer 1

http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/de...

There IS a statute of limitations on debt collection. The debt is still valid, but they can no longer bring a law suit for it.

Answer 2

If the original debt is from 13 years ago then the hospital can no longer collect on it. Since you didn't pay, they sold your debt to a collection agency, this re-sets the 7 year statute of limitation all over again.

If the current agency sells the debt to yet another agency, the clock is once again re-set. I suggest you contact the collection agency, negotiate a "pay for delete" and pay in full or at least go on a payment plan so that when you've paid the debt they'll erase it from your credit report.

Answer 3

The longer you don't pay it the more it will hurt your credit.

Answer 4

They can't collect on debts that old. I think 7 years is the limit.

Answer 5

This debt is WAY outside the statute of limitations for all 50 states...it is also past the allowable 7-year reporting cycle on credit reports....so they can't place this on your credit file . This is ancient, time barred debt....because of this, the collection agency is powerless over you....other than trying to scare/annoy you into paying.

Send the collection agency a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt stating:

Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting:

- written validation of this alleged debt and that said alleged debt is within the statute of limitations - Cease all verbal communications with me about this alleged debt.

Read up on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and understand your rights:

Answer 6

oh my goodness.. how rediculous is this. a collection company trying to get u to pay a 13 year old debt?? i really thought that stuff dropped off aftr 7 years. totally dont pay it cause im sure it cant do any more damage..

Answer 7

Your talking about the statute of limitations and it varies by State and type of debt.

This is the legal time that your creditors have to take you to court and sue after this time passes they can still sue but all you have to do is show up and show the court that the S.O.L. has expired and the case will be dismissed.

The only things that can reset this time line is either a payment or in some States simply admitting that the debt is yours can reset it the selling of your account to another debt collection company WILL NOT reset the S.O.L.

I have posted a link in the source box so you can look up your State if the S.O.L. has passed mail the collection company letter certified return receipt requested stating the per the Fair Credit Reporting Act you are requesting that they show that this debt is within the statute of limitations that should put a stop to it.

Do not admit that this is your debt and don't even sign the letter.