Hi, I was really stupid about six years ago and ran up some really astronomical credit card bills. Around 10k. I haven't heard from the company in years, but recently got a letter from some lawyer in New York offering me a settlement for 4k. What should I do? Ignore the letter? Respond? Can they still come after me? What's should I do??

Well, you clearly still owe them money and if they're willing to settle things for less money than you actually owe them, I say go for it. What you do is find a finance company willing to give you a personal loan for the 4K (or whatever it comes down to) with a reasonable rate of interest on the loan. Then you pay off that credit card debt and focus on paying off the loan (and try to send in over-and-above what your monthly loan payment will be.

Dispute the debt, if you don't it is consider valid. This must be done within 30 days o the notice send to you.

Ask for validication of the alleged Debt in writing, and never speak to them on the phone.