Harry Gross: Receiving a credit-card bill from long ago

Wed, February 18th, 2009

Dear Harry: I am puzzled and miffed by a recent development. About 20 years ago, in my first marriage, I may have had a credit card. Harry, I honestly can't remember. Recently, a collection agency contacted me about unpaid bills on a credit card. I told them that I had no recollection of any of this. The original amount from 1989 was $300, but it's now up to $2,000, including interest and fees. My credit score is good. All my bills are paid on time. They are threatening to report me to credit bureaus if I don't come up with the money. Can they threaten and harass me now for something that is quite possibly an error on their part?

What Harry says: Even if you did owe this amount, these toads are out of their pond. It's way beyond the legal time limit for collection. Moreover, they cannot get debts listed on your credit report that are more than seven years beyond the date the bill was due. Write them a letter (certified mail with a return receipt requested) telling them to stop calling you, and reminding them that the debt is now as stale as it gets. Tell them that you will notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if they go any further.

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, Box 7788, Philadelphia, PA 19101. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.

Source: http://www.philly.com/