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Collection agent attempting collection of an old 'debt'

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T

Tortor

Guest
I currently live in Minnesota. I have just received a letter from a collection agency in Florida who is attempting to collect $154 I supposedly owed Radio Shack in 1988 in California. I did live in California from 1978-88, but I do not remember having a Radio Shack account. I travelled and was a self employed craftsperson 1988- 1993, when I moved back to Minnesota. This debt to Radio Shack never showed up on any credit report since then, and I have worked hard at cleaning up my credit report. The person I spoke to at the collection agency claimed this was a valid debt because money had been paid on the account, but there was a balance of $54 when I left California. The address he mentioned was not an address I had lived at. There were many credit thieves in California in the late 80's, when electronic reference checking was not well developed. I honestly have not idea what this debt is, but do not believe I should pay it after 13 years. I have been reachable since 1993 in Minnesota, and they could have contacted me under the 7 year time limit.
Can this old debt hurt my credit rating in any way?
How should I refuse to pay this and stop any harrassment from these people? Is their action legal?
 



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