Received New Collection Notice Today......HELP!!!

[SSF]

I received in the mail a collection notice that I have never seen before. It does not say anything about being a "first notice", just that it is a settlement offer. It does say they are "making another attempt" which leads me to believe that a notice was previously sent but overlooked by myself or DW.

The collection is for a Bell Atlantic phone account, that I'm not sure I ever had. I did live in the NY area for a period, but I had roommates and I thought the phone was in one of their names. I could be mistaken with this because it was May 2000 when I left NY, so it may have been mine and I've just forgot.

I just pulled my FICOs again today and there is nothing on any of the reports regarding this account.

What should I do? I am nervous because my FICOs average 750 and we are looking to buy our first home later this year. I have this feeling that if I start looking into it or dispute it then it WILL show up on my credit.

Isn't this a little old to be getting notices? The account originated in NY but I currently live in WA if that matters (I also lived in a few places in between if that matters).

CA = Afni
OC = Bell Atlantic

Please advice as to what my best course of action is.

[Anonymous]

i received the same letter in the mail today bell atlantic had lived in ny 10 years ago i will ignore mine way to long...they want to settle for half..

[Anonymous]

Yes, if you are outside SOL and beyond seven years, you can ignore such letters. If you do see the account appear on your CR, dispute and DV as beyond the seven-year limit.

[SSF]

I'm a little confused by SOL. Does it pertain to the state you live in, the state the account was opened, or the state where the CA is based? When does SOL start? Is it safe to say that if I was last in NY in 2000 that I am outside the SOL? I currently live in WA.

Message Edited by SSF on 04-07-2008 06:57 PM

[Anonymous]

If it's beyond SOL, don't even worry about it.

We had a debt collector send my DH a DV on an old acc't of his, after *I* asked for one on *my* account. Apparently he had a debt with them 11 yrs ago, and they cross-referenced the names, addys, or something, and tried to get him for that debt, too. He told them to eat it... it was his ex-wife's bill, anyway.