screen9999 said:
What is the name of your state? I live in Illinois but the ticket was in Indiana.
I recieved a speeding ticket in Indiana 15 years ago. Paid the $50 on the spot, recieved a reciept, was handed my license and was on my way. I currently live in Illinois and recently recieved notice from a collection agency that I owe money for this traffic violation. What are my options? Is there a statute of limitations on something like this?
Yes, and it is expired. Regardless, they would have to sue you to collect, an that's not reasonable over $50.
Just send the company a letter, certified mail, saying that it is not currently a legally collectable debt. Keep it short. In the letter, tell them "Even if I owed this debt - which I never did, because I paid the ticket immediately upon receipt - I certainly wouldn't be paying it after 15 years. As you are no doubt aware, it's not even legally enforceable at this point. Do not call me or send me any more letters regarding this debt. I'm aware of my rights under FDCPA and willing to enforce them if necessary."
As I've said to many other people, it's not like you have to pay someone just because they sent you a letter demanding the money. You don't, really, even have to respond - although sending the letter above will allow you to sue them if they continue to contact you about it. Even if you owed them this $50 (legally, which you don't), and it was last week, you could just tell them to get lost and wait for them to sue you (Note: actually, in light of the fact that it is a speeding ticket rather than, say, a cable bill, you probably wouldn't want to do blow it off if it were less than a couple years old).
With the instant situation, if they were to sue you, and win, they'd get a judgment ordering you to pay them $50. Then they'd have to find a way to pay their attorney the $1500 he charged them to handle the case
.
Hope this helps.
