Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania
Credit card collection
I just recently received a phone call from a collection agency. It is regards to my husbands credit card from 1997. 10 years have passed and this is the first time hearing about this debt. It has never shown up on my husbands credit report. Is their anything protecting us that we don't have to pay it?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Credit card collection
They may attempt to collect the debt, however unless the debt is reaffirmed or account used they may have passed the statute of limitations, generally 4 years, on bring a civil law action, and they may have passed the time limit to report on your credit report.
Re: Credit card collection
The statute of limitations has probably passed for the original creditor to sue but credit card companies refer a lot of stale claims out. Some collection agencies even file suit on stale claims hoping that the defendant will not answer. If you are sued by the collection agency you should contact an attorney right away to defend.