• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief - A+ BBB Accredited Business - Get Relief From Credit Card Debt, Medical Bills And Unsecured Loans

Talk to a debt counselor toll free:

800-300-9550

Get Relief From Credit Card Debt

Medical Bills and Unsecured Loans

  • Services
    • Debt Settlement
    • Debt Relief Benefits
    • Qualifications
    • Is Debt Settlement Right For Me?
    • Debt Help By State
    • Debt Relief FAQs
      • How Debt Relief Affects Your Credit Score
    • Free Budget Planner Worksheets
    • Free Debt Calculator
  • Options
    • Debt Relief
    • Bankruptcy
    • Credit Card Debt Relief
    • Debt Consolidation
  • About Us
    • Who Is National Debt Relief?
    • Accreditations
    • Proven Results – Debt Settlement Letters
  • Contact Us
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
  • Client Login
  • Careers
  • Blog
HomeBlog Credit Card Debt“Am I Still Responsible For A Seven Year Old Debt?”
Video Transcript

Free Debt Relief Quote

  • National Debt Relief, LLC BBB Business Review
  • McAfee SECURE sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams

“Am I Still Responsible For A Seven Year Old Debt?”

January 28, 2013 by National Debt Relief

I read recently about a woman who was being dunned by a debt collection agency over a bill that was seven years old. She believed that she didn’t have a negative balance when she had stopped using the account and had not touched it in seven years. So she was wondering if this would appear on her credit report and whether or not she should pay the collection agency.Woman talking on the cell phone

Old paper

What probably happened to this woman is that the collection agency had purchased “old paper” from an agency that had purchased it from the original bank. However, most states have a statute of limitations on debts and it is likely that a seven-year-old debt would not still be valid. Moreover, if the collection agency added this debt into her credit report, she could file a rebuttal letter along with a letter from the bank showing she had no balance due.

Watch out for unscrupulous debt collection agencies

This collection agency would probably fall under the category of unscrupulous because it should have known that a seven-year-old debt was no longer valid. But if you have extensive debts, you need to be careful of other tricks that can be played by unscrupulous collectors. For example, they could file suit against you, claim they had notified you when they hadn’t and then request a default judgment. If it was able to obtain this judgment, it could then put a lien on your house or garnish your wages.

Be sure to show up

If you find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit over a debt, be sure to show up in court to prevent the lender or collection agency from getting a default judgment. When you get to court you could fight the suit by challenging the agency’s standing – or its right to sue in its own name. In other words, the agency would need to prove it has the right to collect on your debt as shown by a signed transfer of the credit card agreement. You could make the collection agency prove that you owe what it says you owe. You might be able to use the statute of limitations as a defense as in most states creditors have a maximum of four to six years to collect a debt.

Sue back

Finally, you may be able to sue the collection agency back. Several years ago, Congress passed the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If you can prove the agency had violated its provisions, you might be able to sue it. If you have an attorney who knows what he or she is doing, you might be able to get damages, attorney fees and costs. In fact, if you can successfully sue for violations of this act, you can get statutory damages of up to $1000, plus economic and punitive damages. In addition, the agency will have to pay your attorney’s fees and costs

Know your rights

If you’re being harassed by a collection agency – even if it hasn’t yet filed suit – it’s important to know your rights. Go online, check out the FDCPA to see what collectors are allowed to do and not do and to learn how you might be able to put a stop to those harassing phone calls.

Do you qualify for debt consolidation?

National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief is one of the largest and best-rated debt settlement companies in the country. In addition to providing excellent, 5-star services to our clients, we also focus on educating consumers across America on how to best manage their money. Our posts cover topics around personal finance, saving tips, and much more. We’ve served thousands of clients, settled over $1 billion in consumer debt, and our services have been featured on sites like NerdWallet, Mashable, HuffPost, and Glamour.

Follow National Debt Relief: Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin

Filed Under: Credit Card Debt Tagged With: credit card debt, Credit Card Debt Help, debt negotiation

Primary Sidebar

Trusted By Our Clients

Excellent

Rated Five Stars Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

based on 24,642 REVIEWS

"Best decision I've ever made!"

They really care about "you" and making your life easier. They answer all of your questions and are very detailed.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Kolbie P.

"Saved me from drowning in the debt."

I was up to my eyeballs in debt and National Debt Relief saved me from drowning in the debt.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Joanna W.
Canal Winchester, OH

"Helped me settle my debts that were choking me."

National Debt Relief helped me settle my debts that were choking me.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Bobbie A.
Charlotte, MI

"Taken a big weight off of my shoulders."

National Debt Relief has taken a big weight off of my shoulders.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Richard D.
Piffard, NY

"Stopped all collection calls."

National Debt Relief stopped all collection calls and are working with my creditors to settle my debts.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Patricia G.
Oran, MO

"Now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel finally."

I was in a tough spot, financially and emotionally. Now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel finally.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Susan W.
Valparaiso, IN

"I'm sleeping better knowing they are helping me to eliminate my debt."

I'm sleeping better knowing National Debt Relief is helping me to eliminate my debt.

Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating Trustpilot star rating

Jodi W.
Springfield, OH
Trust Pilot Reviews

Free Debt Relief Quote

By submitting, you agree that the phone number you are providing may be used to contact you by National Debt Relief (including autodialed and prerecorded calls or text/SMS messages). Msg. and data rates apply. You are not required to opt in as a condition of purchase.

The sooner you call,
the sooner we can help:

800-300-9550

Search NDR Blog

Recent Posts

  • Free Holiday Shopping Budget Template To Keep You Out Of Debt
  • How To Host Thanksgiving Dinner On A Budget
  • Tips For Finding Good Last Minute Travel Deals
  • How To Spend Less Money For The Holidays
  • Take Note And Save Money While Holiday Gift Shopping
  • How To Scare Up Some Extra Cash To Pay Down Your Debt [Slideshare]
  • 10 Ways To Rock The Gratitude Challenge This Thanksgiving
  • How To Write The Perfect Salary Negotiation Email
  • When Should You Start Saving Money For Your Kids
  • The Best Budgeting App For Your Family

 

FAQs about debt relief

AFCC disclosure

National Debt Relief, LLC BBB Business Review AFCC Top Ten Reviews Gold Top Consumer Reviews Consumers Advocate Trust Pilot
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Free Debt Calculator
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Site
  • Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

© 2019, National Debt Relief, All Rights Reserved.