Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Connecticut

statute on paying off 8 year old check

I have recently been contacted by a law firm in NY saying that I have an ''bounced'' check written to Bradlees for $26. I remember paying this check off with a money order almost 7 years ago. I cannot find the copy and the chex system says they can't go back after 5 years. I can't believe that they can do this. Is there any statute of limitations against this. I feel like it is a scam or something. Can they collect on a check this old?


Asked on 12/16/02, 6:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Silverberg Silverberg Law Office

Re: statute on paying off 8 year old check

No, they can't, and the odds are they won't try. Keep in mind that Bradlees filed bankruptcy several years ago. What's probably happened here is that the bankruptcy trustee sold off large "packages" of old debt for two or three cents (or less) on the dollar, and the purchasers of one of these packages is, or has retained, a law firm and is trying to "shake the tree" and see what falls out.

Probably, you could get away with simply ignoring the letter. Better, though, would be to invest $4.05 in a certified letter, return receipt requested (so you have proof of both your sending it and their receiving it), in which you politely state that you made the check good with a money order seven years ago and have no intention of paying it again.

I would be most surprised if you ever heard from them again.

Read more
Answered on 12/16/02, 10:58 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Credit, Debt and Collections Law questions and answers in Connecticut