I received a collection notice today from a creditor stating that I owe a phone bill from verizon in the amount of $460.00. I called because after 14 years I did not even know I had this debt. I never received anything and when I left college I left the phone on for my roommate at the time. The debt could be valid but I really do not know.

Here is the irony. I work for the Verizon Communication now and know for a fact they cannot produce proof that I owe this debt. We do not keep records more than 7 years. If someone calls for a bill past 7 years there is no way for us to retrieve.

When I called to verify the debt the collector told me that it will not go on my credit report. In fact, it has never appeared on my credit report. I have a + credit and own a home.

My question is can they now put this debt on my credit report? I told them not to call me that I am not paying that debt but I am now told that I need to specify in writing. Is that true?

Was verizon even around 14 years ago? And aren't they just for cell phones?
I would dispute it. They could put it on your credit - but dispute that too.

Send them a letter of dispute and request valdiication of the alleged debt in writing. If you don't dispute it the alleged debt is consider valid.

Request the they verify the alleged debt you can send them this notice in this post:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/bankruptcy-debt/helpful-information-about-bankruptcy-debt-credit-bureaus-51714.html


Also read this post:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/bankruptcy-debt/statutes-limitation-debt-collection-fyi-105295.html