My husband has received a letter from a collections agency which states that he owes nearly $700, which they are attempting to collect. The letter has the last 4 numbers of his SSN and lists another person as a co-debtor.

I contacted the business regarding this claim and was immediately told to ignore the co-debtors name because that was a misprint. When questioned about the origin of this claim, the rep told me that this was for a credit repair kit that was ordered in 1996! This is the first time that we had ever been contacted about this issue. I verified that this acct is in fact, over ten years old, then thanked the rep and hung up. My husband has no idea what this is and denies ordering the kit.

I understand that the New York statute is 6 years, so they cannot attempt to sue. Is there also a statute to begin the collection process? Ten years is beyond ridiculous to me.
The letter states I have 30 days to respond. Should I send a letter stating that we dispute this very old claim or would that be opening ourselves up to more harassment? Would a letter to cease communication be a better alternative?

I also intend to contact the credit bureaus to ensure that this co-debtors name doesn't "accidentally" appear anywhere else.

Thanks in advance for your help!

The collection agency probably bought the debt for pennies on the dollar and they take a chance that you will slip up and offer to settle or pay. Any offer to settle or to make full payment would restart your statute, so don't do it. A letter to cease communication should restate the statute of limitations applies in this case.

You are entitled to a free credit report per year. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

If they aren't listed on there I would tell them to pound sand.

That's funny that it was for a credit repair kit,
Shread it and don't look back.

Yeah, just send them a registered letter telling them not to call you and only deal with you by mail, don't respond anymore and after a few letters they'll move on. As said any collection agency can buy old debts and try and collect them, to answer your original question, no there is no statute of limitations on trying to collect the money so another company can try and collect the same debt in another 10 years if they really wanted to try.

Thanks for your help guys! I will draft a letter this evening and mail it out tomorrow. Any tips for wording that will convey the "get out of here, you bums! We are on to your scam!" sentiment? Can I tell them to buzz off altogether or am I only allowed to restrict phone contact?
We just moved to North Carolina, so my husband assumes they got our new address from the change of address listing.

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Originally Posted by Matt3046

Thats funny that it was for a credit repair kit,
Shread it and don't look back.

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LOL... I never even made the correlation! I was just annoyed:D

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Originally Posted by Emland

You are entitled to a free credit report per year. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp

If they aren't listed on there I would tell them to pound sand.

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Great tip. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Stokes718

Any tips for wording that will convey the "get out of here, you bums! We are on to your scam!" sentiment? Can I tell them to buzz off altogether or am I only allowed to restrict phone contact?

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This fellow is a radio consumer advocate clarkhoward.com: Save more, spend less and avoid ripoffs

He has form letters and lots of info on collection scams, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emland

This fellow is a radio consumer advocate clarkhoward.com: Save more, spend less and avoid ripoffs

He has form letters and lots of info on collection scams, etc.

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I just added the site to my favorites. Thanks!:D

Hello. I've gotten a letter for collection which it's over 14yrs old on phone bill which I don't remember but they got all my correct information. It was a large amount but they made a deal if I pay half and it would be paid off.

What should I do?

I said I want proof of the bill and I paid part of the half. Should I call my bank to not pay them? Or is it too late?