RJM wants to settle a bill we don't think we owe

Hi,

We just received a letter from RJM, reminding us they purchased an old book club account back in Dec. 2009. My wife was in this book club several years ago, but canceled her membership. The letter provides the book club account # as well as our old address where the books were shipped. On the back of the letter (and you can tell it's the back of the letter because it is helpfully entitled "Back of Letter"), they list the three book shipments that apparently add up to the total amount owed -- about $110.

Really -- 3 books and it's $110? Unfortunately, it's hard to tell what the books are, because they are listed in some kind of catalog code. However, my wife thinks they are the ones that a book club might automatically ship to you if you don't say NO every friggin' month. She also recalls that she sent all those default books back to the club, but I doubt we could produce any evidence of that now, since we've moved since then. The shipments all occurred in 2005.

Yep -- over 5 years ago.

The letter itself offers to settle for 40% -- around $43.00. Actually, the whole letter is drafted like a sales pitch, which is rather funny: "60% off! Biggest savings!" "RJM is pleased to accept $10 per month!" LOL

We're in Oklahoma, and SOL is at most 5 years. We don't think we owe the debt, but couldn't prove it; however, the debt is also over 5 years old and out of statute -- unless RJM's purchase of it "reset" the SOL clock??

Oh yeah, one more thing: my wife's last name on the letter is misspelled.

Any suggestions? I'd hate to ignore it and have something blow up in my face; however, I'd hate to pay it if I don't have to, or if paying it wouldn't help anything. At this time, I do not know if it is showing up on a credit report. Thanks for any input.

-CB

Hi!
Welcome to the forums!
The Sol period in the state of Oklahoma is is 5 years for written contract, 3 years for oral agreements and open ended accounts, and 5 years for promissory notes. So, RJM can't legally sue your wife if she doesn't pay off the dues. Go through the credit report and find out whether the account is listed on it. If it is listed, then your wife can send a written request to RJM to validate the debt. If they can't validate the debt, then send a cease and desist letter to them. You should also dispute the account status and send a letter to the credit bureaus to delete the listing from the report.

If RJM can validate the debt, then your wife can settle the debt and request them to update the account status on the credit report.

do as nelly advises.btw it is up to RJM to prove you owe the debt.not vice versa.get the DV letter out certified mail return receipt.