I recently received a copy of my credit report, something I have never done in the past, and found that a lien was filed in May of 1997 with our local common pleas court, with a court case number. I have no idea what this is - can a court case against me take place without my knowledge?
Thank you!

While they are not suppose to, unless you could not be located and they only did service by posting it in the news paper.

You can go down to the court house and find out what it is, who did it.

Also what is it a lien on? Your home, your car? Or is it a judgement against you.

If you have never seen the document, you need to go to the court with the case # and ask to see the file... it may ONLY be on microfisch. Be aware that if/when you pay off the judgement, you would have to pay the interest if any awarded by the court at the time the judgement was rendered.

I had a lien filed on an investment property I own without my knowledge from the community HOA (long, long story). I don't know if it ever appeared on my credit report, but the lien was filed without my receiving ANY notification. Sounds like you need to take a trip to the county courthouse and/or call whoever placed the lien and see what is going on. Good luck.