I received a bill from a company back in August 2005 for about $500. I disputed it and offered to pay $200. The company never accepted the offer.
For over 3 and a half years afterwards, I received notices from 5 different collection agencies who attempted to collect on this alleged debt. I disputed the debt with each and every collection agency and, therefore, they never were able to put the alleged debt on my credit report.
Although the original company never contacted me after August 2005 when they issued their last bill, and they instead had 5 different collection agencies contact me, now all of a sudden, in July 2009, they sent me the same bill from August 2005! My questions are:
1. Can the original company still pursue this debt given that over a 3 and a half year period, they apparently authorized 5 different collection agencies to pursue this matter?
2. Apparently, in California, the Statute of Limitation for written contracts and open-ended contracts is 4 years. So, I believe the Statute of Limitation on this matter will run out in about a month or so. Should I ignore the company since the Statute of Limitation is about to run out? Or should I respond? I think if I respond that would "reactivate" the dispute, and reset the Statute of Limitation clock plus renew the 7 year period they could possibly put this on my credit report. Am I mistaken about this?
Any advice and help would be deeply appreciated! Thank you!
Tom
For over 3 and a half years afterwards, I received notices from 5 different collection agencies who attempted to collect on this alleged debt. I disputed the debt with each and every collection agency and, therefore, they never were able to put the alleged debt on my credit report.
Although the original company never contacted me after August 2005 when they issued their last bill, and they instead had 5 different collection agencies contact me, now all of a sudden, in July 2009, they sent me the same bill from August 2005! My questions are:
1. Can the original company still pursue this debt given that over a 3 and a half year period, they apparently authorized 5 different collection agencies to pursue this matter?
2. Apparently, in California, the Statute of Limitation for written contracts and open-ended contracts is 4 years. So, I believe the Statute of Limitation on this matter will run out in about a month or so. Should I ignore the company since the Statute of Limitation is about to run out? Or should I respond? I think if I respond that would "reactivate" the dispute, and reset the Statute of Limitation clock plus renew the 7 year period they could possibly put this on my credit report. Am I mistaken about this?
Any advice and help would be deeply appreciated! Thank you!
Tom
