17 Year Old Debt Was Paid

[SAK2000]

What is the name of your state? CA

What is the SOL for attempting to collect a debt in CA? I paid off my AMEX card in 1990 and it was was removed from my credit report. Now 17 years later I receive a letter from a collection agency saying I owe $6,000. $2,000 principal and the rest in interest. It's been 17 years and I don't have those records anymore. Can they put that debt back on my credit since I can't prove that I paid it?

[racer72]

Tell them to pack sand. Send a cease and desist letter and state that the debt has exceeded the SOL and that they are to never contact you about the debt again. Examples are available at [url]www.creditboards.com[/url].

[Zigner]

Let's be real here - the CA bought the account for a few bucks. Now they are trying to collect. Our OP *CAN* be sued over this amount, but his (perfectly valid) defense will be SOL.
With that said, the CA knows they cannot win a lawsuit, so it shouldn't get to that point...

[SAK2000]

Thanks for the info. I have enough current debt that I am paying off without having to worry about something from 17 years ago.

Just for educational purposes, what is the SOL in CA for creditors to collect debt? Does that include Tax Liens (I know, probably a dumb question) and the EDD (unemployment insurance). EDD says they overpaid me 10 years ago. Again, it was on my credit and I wrote a letter contesting it and it dissappeared from my credit report so I quite worrying about it. I didn't keep records from 10 years ago. Now they are sending me letters again.