Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Massachusetts

Re: a 4-year-old utility debt

If the bill's in your name, they likely could sue you. In any event, if the place it on your credit report, it will lower your score and increase your cost for everything from car insurance to home/car loans to credit cards.

Re: a 4-year-old utility debt

It was your obligation to change the gas service out of your name, especially when it involved a breakup with the person using it. Unless the collection agency letter says they now own the debt, they can't do anything more than ask you to pay and take any money you send them. It is unlikely anyone will sue you for $400, since it will cost them more than it's worth, but I cannot guarantee that.

If someone does sue you, you can try to bring your former boyfriend as a "third-party defendant" to pay his share of the bill. That may be difficult unless the suit is in MA and he still lives in MA.

You can call, write or email the gas company and send them a copy of your rent and/or utility receipts to show you moved, and they might adjust the bill, They will want a current address for your boyfriend, unless he moved out at the same time and someone else moved into the apartment.

If you would like me to try to negotiate the bill, I will need the above receipts, the bills and/or collection letter and $150.