I'll just point out that the issuance of a 1099-C doesn't require the OP to report it as income. Defenses would be:
a) Statutory exclusions to COD income under IRC 108 which I won't get into here.
b) Dispute as to the validity of the debt
c) Dispute as to the ability to legally collect the debt in the year the 1099 was issued (ie. collection SOL has expired)
d) Any other affirmative defense.
While the IRS may still come calling, b-d puts the IRS on the defensive if the matter goes to Tax Court or District Court.