What are my options when it comes to being told I have a 10 year old debt that I have no recollection of?

Question

I recently received a phone call from a collection agency saying that I owed a phone bill from almost 10 years ago along with penalties. I have no documentation from 10 years ago to either confirm or dispute this charge and told them that I wanted confirmation in the form of a billing invoice from the phone company. They didn't want to produce this and I told them that I would not pay based on their word alone. What can they do legally and what recourse will I have if they make a detrimental posting to my credit report. I don't think my request was unreasonable considering the age of the supposed debt.

Answer 1

If you have a bill that you have never paid anything on for seven years, it is usually legally canceled by the statute of limitations  and they cannot make you pay it.  They cannot hurt your credit after 7 years.  If you do make a payment on it, it restarts the clock and they have seven more years to try to get you to pay it.  This is a general rule, and can vary by state.

If they don't produce any documentation, I would not pay them.   If they do produce documentation, you may feel you have a moral obligation to pay, but you have no legal obligation to.  If they harass you, hang up on them and report them.

Answer 2

The statute of limitations forbids creditors or collectors from calling you. Do not make any payments and do not have the discussions with them. Be firm "I do not owe this debt" and hang up. If need be, change your phone number.

Answer 3

Hi,

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Answer 4

logically speaking if you do not have any recollection of the occurence and they do not provide sufficient evidence then they have no right to collect simple enough said next time they call ask them for their company or group name and if they fail to answer well you got your answer and if it persist say you will contact local authorties if the issue persist