I got a letter in the mail couple weeks ago from a collection agency saying that I owe them $117 for a phone bill back in 2000. I have never got anything from them till now. They said they couldn't find me for 71/2 years. I got my other bills forwarded to be but not this one. Do I have to pay it?

If it is a legitimate bill and you received services from this company, then yes, you have to pay. It's not their fault that they couldn't find you, they still deserve to get paid for the service they provided.

I would guess not knowing your area and laws, that it would be past any statue of limitation

Now a funny thing that caught me when I moved back to atlanta,
I guess one of my grown boys, ( I had signed for there electric about 8 years ago here in Atlanta) so they owed their last month bill when they moved, Well I moved back to atlanta, so while it is out of the SOL and they can't sue me, but they did refuse to hook up my service until they were paid the past due bill.

Isn't the statue of limitations 8 years in most states? I can't prove it, but I'm sure that I read that somewhere. Tell me if I'm dreaming.

Just varies on type of bill, and the state.

2 to 15 years with many at 3 years

Here is a chart, most likely out dated the day it was printed, but will give you an idea

Statute of Limitations (http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/statute_of_limitations.htm)

Thanks for the info Fr_Chuck.

I'm still looking for a new Avatar for you. Not that the nuns aren't nice.

Do you owe the phone bill to your knowledge or do you believe you had paid it? If you owe it, then you should pay it.

If not, is it a cell phone or residential line? I ask because some types of communications are regulated federally, rather than by state including the statute of limitations. You may want to read this article Sued For Cell Phone Bill After Two Years - You May Have A Lawsuit Of Your Own :: Alabama Consumer Law Blog (http://www.alabamaconsumerlawblog.com/2008/03/sued_for_cell_phone_bill_after.html) and this regarding federal jurisdiction for communications US CODE: Title 47,CHAPTER 5—WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sup_01_47_10_5.html)

You ask "Do I have to pay it?". The answer to that question is; if the bill's legitimate than yes.

If your question was 'what can they do to collect?', my answer would probably be that they can only send you dunning letters unles the SOL hasn't expired. If your question was; 'Do I have to pay the whole amount?' that would depend on whether the amount includes interest and late fees. You may be able to negotiate a settlement for less.

But if this is a legitimate bill, you have an obligation to pay it.

If it is a legitimate bill and you received services from this company, then yes, you have to pay. It's not their fault that they couldn't find you, they still deserve to get paid for the service they provided.


I talk to a my lawyer and they said not to talk to them or associate with them. As long as I didn't make any payment agreements with them and that I said that I owe this company and I didn't do either. Our law is six years in my state. I tried to set up payments but they wouldn't accept them.

Set up payments for $117?? Again, while the SOL may have expired that does NOT change your obligation to pay. It just means they can't sue you to collect.