Can a collection agency legally collect on a debt

Can a collection agency legally collect on a debt that is over 10 years old?

Collections don't stop until you pay the debt. They will have to follow the laws while doing their collections. You must get confirmed about their authorization before sending money.

If the debt is past the statutes of your state, you get the legal protection. They can't sue you in the court. But if the debt is within the statutes, they will try for a judgment against you.

Actually there are limits on how long a debt can be collected. From what I can come up with its generally six years from the time the debt was charged off (also known as the DOLA - date of last activity on your credit report), however states do vary from 2 - 15 years depending on what type of debt. As long as you don't live in Kentucky or Rhode Island, it can't be more than 10 years from DOLA. Of course you should contact someone local to confirm this.
Good luck!

Welcome to the Forums Here is some info on SOL for you at http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/...mitations.html it should tell you all you need to know for your state. The date of last activity is the last time you paid on your account. If you made a payment in 1999, then made another payment to them in 2005, then the DOLA would be 2005. Hope I didn't confuse you !...KAren Alot of people get scared and make a payment on something past the SOl, and it starts up the clock again.

I found this on credit.about.com:

What is considered "Date of Last Activity" I am showing several collections that are well over 10 years but are still showing. HELP!

Lady, did you make any payments on these debts within the last 10 years? Making one payment resets the DOLA. Certain slimy CA's have been known to reage debts so they can keep reporting them longer.

The first thing I would do is dispute the old accounts as "not mine" with the CRA's.

Technically, if it is out of SOL, you can tell them to go away.. but usually they will just resell the debt to another JDB.

I've seen folks send a debt validation letter to them asking them to validate the debt, and they magically stop calling. They don't like to play with smart people that know their rights I guess

Thank you for your responses they have been very helpful.

Is this normal? Why would a collection agency buy a 10 year old debt? The probabiluty they'll be able to collect can't be very high...

There are statues of limitations...if you pull your credit report it can tell you how long it will sit out there on you....BUT if collections agencies keep reselling your debt it gets a little confusing....and makes a mess of your credit report....to be honest..if you call the new hounds you might be able to settle for next to nothing and get rid of the headache all together.....

Yes but there is a high chance that if you settle and pay a collection agency, they won't keep record of the payment and will in turn sell the debt to yet another agency that will say there is no record of you ever paying.

I have a question regarding the Statute of limitations in collecting an unpaid open ended account (credit cards, store cards). I lived in AZ when I opened my accounts but moved to NJ when I was no longer able to pay. Does the law require the debt collector to honor AZ or NJ statute of limitations? If it is AZ, would a NJ court or Judge still allow them to proceed with obtaining a judgment?

I thought if a debt has not been paid and is past SOL, creditors are able to renew the debt through a small claims procedure?

they can't do it that way.only a payment on the account restarts the SOL.in fact if a CA does try to sue on a debt past the SOL.all the consumer does is present proof of such and the suit is thrown out.never heard of what you spoke of.

can someone sue you for a debt after they turn you over to collections?