13 year old debt

[Anonymous]

Hi, 

Not sure if this is the right place to place this message. I been on a journey of rebuilding my credit the past two yrs. Recently I received an email from a company called TrueAccord. I called them today and they said I owe a Verizon bill from 2008???  Pinnacle is the orginal debt collector that had the acct from 2010 til TrueAccord got the acct in March 2021. Now I do not recall having Verizon. I have for yrs done phone companies like Boost or Cricket as my cell provider. Is there a way I can verify this with Verizon or is the bill long gone? Isn't there statue of limitation in how long a creditor can try to attemp to collect? TrueAccord said I could file a cease and desist and they would leave me alone but didn't say what then would happen a garnishment or will this go on my credit?? They said I could settle and pay 40% off the principle amount - but I want to make sure I do 100% I owe this bill before making payments.  Any suggestion on how I should be handling this? 

[sccredit]

13 years is past the statute of limitations in any state and past the allowable reporting period. Send them a cease and desist and let it die. 

[Jnbmom]

@Anonymous 

Always be suspicious of emails . Most debt collectors will send a letter. But if this is from 2008. They can't sue to garnish and they can't report the account . They can however continue to try to collect. I agree send the cease and desist letter .

[MileHigh96]

As has been mentioned, this is far beyond the statute of limitations for a debt to be collected. Don't even hint that this may be a valid debt because saying/doing the wrong thing can reset that statute sometimes.

Here is a direct link to a PDF document debt dispute letter from a Dave Ramsey website. I would suggest mailing this or something similar to the debt collector directly. The burden is on them, not you, to prove that the debt is valid and collectable.

https://cdn.ramseysolutions.net/media/blog/debt/debt-collection/debt-verification-letter-sample.pdf

And here is the page it comes from which has a bunch of useful information: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-validation-letter

[Anonymous]

Thanks, 

When I was talking to them on the phone they said they could file one or two things on my behalf : Cease and Desist and Verification (because I said I don't know truly if this is a debt I own)  I declined either option as I wanted to see what I have to do. I tried reaching out to Verizon and they don't go back that far with billing. 

So  I should then send the verification letter 1st then the ceast and desist? Kinda confused 

[vntrsc]

The Dave Ramsey letter demands documentation that debt collectors are not required to provide in order to validate/verify a debt.  Considering the debt is outside the SOL, you can either ignore it or send a simple cease and desist.

A cease and desist does not have to give a reason as to why you're not paying.  You can simply write that you dispute the debt and demand that they cease and desist all communication.  

[FireMedic1]

From TrueAccord's own website:

"Scammers will often make themselves appear legitimate by operating under a company or other authority figure’s name, but they cannot replicate a sender’s address. For example, if you receive a collections communication from TrueAccord, it will be from one of our company domains meaning that the email address (after the @ symbol) will read “trueaccord.com”

Look closely.

[OmarGB9]

Either ignore them or send a cease and desist letter. That's it. You don't have to do anything else, especially not verification as the debt is far too old to be within any statute of limitations and past the 7 year credit reporting period.

But, first, as @FireMedic1 noted, verify the email it's coming from. If the domain isn't trueaccord.com, then this isn't even a legitimate communication.

[bass_playr]

All you need to do is send them a letter like this:

"(debt collector name and address)

RE: (the account # they provided)

(date)

To Whom it May Concern:

I recently received an email from you, stating that I allegedly owe a Verizon debt from 2008.  This letter is to inform you that I AM NOT GOING TO PAY YOU ANYTHING.  

As this alleged account is well outside the applicable statute of limitations, I would not be obligated to pay you even if the money were actually owed.  Therefore, I AM NOT GOING TO PAY YOU ANYTHING.

This letter also shall serve as notice to you to CEASE AND DESIST regarding this matter.  I expect that you shall consider this matter to be closed, and cease all communication accordingly.

In case it has not yet been made clear yet, I AM NOT GOING TO PAY YOU ANYTHING.  Have a nice day.

Respectfully, 

(your name)"

While it's not actually illegal for them to try to collect on old debts, once you tell them to cease and desist they have no choice but to stop communicating with you, or face a lawsuit for violating FDCPA.  It's a little over the top for some folks, but I send this kind of letter to drive home the point that I'm fully aware of my rights and the alleged debt's status as well outside the SOL.  Usually they get the point, lol

[satio]

As suggested by others, do nothing and ignore future communications or cease and desist letter sent certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

My only adjustment to the letter is I might be inclined to close with 

Pound Sand,

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