[F]I just got a collection notice for $919 for Verizon. I tried calling this company for 3 days & kept getting a message saying that hold times exceed 30 mins & to try again at another time. Well I finally got someone on the phone today & I told her that I haven't gone under that name in over 9 yrs (married name now divorced). She stated it was for phone service from Sept 1997- Nov 1997. I told her that it wasn't mine, that my phone services was under my mothers name. I also told her that I just moved to this address 5 months ago & that I got ANYTHING about this while I was living with my parents for over 8 yrs. She proceeded to get very nasty & stated that this is my bill under my SS# & that they could get any information they want with that. I also advised her that it's been 10 yrs & they are beyond the statute of limitations. She stated there is no such thing & she can make easy for me & offer me a 1 time settlement or she can make it hard for me and demand the whole $919 & report it to the credit bureaus. I have worked 2 rebuilding my credit for the last 6 yrs & DO NOT something like this on my credit. Can they legally do this?? What options do I have?? If it helps I have always resided in NJ.

First, the Statue of Limitations rules only apply to the time limit a creditor has in which to file suit. If the debt is valid, then they have a right to collect it.

Second, if the debt is valid, then they can report it to credit bureaus.

So what you need to do is determine the validity of the debt. Towards that end you need to request that they provide you with documentation proving the debt.

First the SOL has expired most likely, don't left them scare you, demand they validicate the alleged debt in writing, never speak to them again on the phone only in writing.

If they fail to validcate the alleged debt, write the credit bureaus and the un verify items removed.