Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania
Statue of limitations
In 1998 I was sentenced to a prison term. Before that time I ran up huge credit cards debt as a result of a gambling problem. Since that time I haven't paid any money on any of the debt. If I am understanding the statue law the limitation of legal action against me has expired.
1. Does the limitation apply to the state I lived in when I received the cards or the state the credit card company conducted their business?
2. Some of the companies call my ex wife at at her house and leave numbers to call and even discuss taking action against me. She never was on the cards.
3. Can I take action agaist them or is it even worth considering?
Thank You.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Statue of limitations
You need to check if they have judgments against you. If they do, they debt can follow you till you die, unless there is a bankruptcy to discharge those judgments.
If they are past the 6 year contract statue of limitations, tell them so in writing, disclaiming the obligation, and telling them to stop contacting you, unless they can give you proof of a judgment. If they still call you, you can threaten them with the Fair Debt Practices Collection Act, but keep in mind, YOU screwed them, intentionally or unintentionally. I do not have a lot of sympathy for collectors (many entities give way too much credit to people, almost guarnteeing problems with excess debt), but here, YOU screwed them, not the other way around. If you are embarrassed and sorry for your prior conduct, and you have made the effort to turn your life around, good for you. If not, at least don't have the balls to try to sue them.
I hope you have made the effort to better yourself, and if you have, I wish you good luck. We are all works in progress, keep working on yourself. --- Happy and healthy holidays to you.