There is a debt collection agency called NCO Financial Services that has been trying to collect a 10 year old debt from me. The account was opened in Illinois. It was originally owned by Express. Express reported it to the credit bureau, and it stayed on my credit for 7 years. Can NCO Financial put this ten year debt back on my credit? The Statue of limitations to collect on the debt in Illinois for credit cards is five years. That thing is 10 years old. What are my rights?

Send the debt collector a letter demanding verification of the alleged debt, demand they produce the original. Tell them if the original is not produced then they have no claim. If they do produce it, it will show that it's beyond the SOL they are out of luck to collect.

The next step is to complain to the FTC and Illinios Attorney General's Office for their attempt to collect an alleged debt that's beyond the SOL. You many need to show that the debt collector will not validicate the alleged debt and received no reply, or that if they do, that it's beyond the SOL.

It will take time, so be patient, but stay on top of it. It is a frustrating process, but with patience and perserverance you will succeed in getting them to stop.

There is a debt collection agency called NCO Financial Services that has been trying to collect a 10 year old debt from me. The account was opened in Illinois. It was originally owned by Express. Express reported it to the credit bureau, and it stayed on my credit for 7 years. Can NCO Financial put this ten year debt back on my credit? The Statue of limitations to collect on the debt in Illinois for credit cards is five years. That thing is 10 years old. What are my rights?
Thanks for your reply it was really helpful. My main concern is my credit report. Can they put this back on my credit after ten years, after it has already stayed on there for seven years? Five is the SOL in Illinois

No, legally they cannot repost to your credit it if it's beyond the SOL. It doesn't mean they will not do it. That's why you need to get the FTC and the Attorney General's office involved. Just make sure you do not enter into any repayment agreements (either verbal or written) with the debt collectors, if you do they have the right to put it back on your credit.