Appearing on your credit report has nothing to do with the statute of limitations, which applies to the period within which they must initiate civil action to seek a judgment.
Credit report exclusion of any collection is required no later than 7 years plus 180 days after the date of first delinquency (DOFD) that occured on the account that created the debt, and wherein you remained delinquent from that date to the date of their collection. If default occured 10 years ago and the debt remained delinquent until now, then the credit reporting agency is barred under FCRA 605(c) from including the collection in any credit report they issue. Period.
Neither credit report exclusion nor expiration of SOL, however, negate the debt.
Thus, a debt collector can continue to attempt collection if not barred by either a DV or a cease communication notice under FDCPA 805(c).
However, they can choose at any time to cancel the debt. If the cancelled debt is $600 or more, they are required to send you and the IRS a 1099c, Notice of Cancellation of Debt, which raises the issue of tax obligation for the cancelled debt, which is then considered by the IRS to be taxable income.
A cease collection notice under FDCPA 805(c) would not bar their required sending of a 1099c.
