VASS -- I'm kinda confused what you are saying -- I'm afraid you are going to confuse the OP. Some of what you are saying is not exactly correct, some is entirely accurate and some is not necessarily wrong but just does not relate to the instant case.
Q. No, do not pay anything.
A. The OP never suggested they were going to pay anything.
Q. Obtain a detail statement of this debt.
A. Why? The debt is SOL. Just do a cease and desist and quit messing with it. Why would you want a detail statement? Besides, they are not required to send it -- so why go down that path? What would you do with the "detail statement" even if you got the darn thing?
Q. Never provide your private information over the telephone or agree, especially of something you are uncertained about. Call the office again, ask who you are speaking with and asked for a dispute mailing address or just use the one on the letter. Do not get into a discussion as they will try to snag a payment plan out of you.
A. I guess this is all good advice so far as it goes.
Q. If you set a payment plan, you are trapped.
A. Absolutely agree. Any payment will in most states restart the SOL.
Q. Write to the office and send it by certified mail requesting for a detail statement.
A. Again. Why? This is a waste of effort.
Q. Explain that you have no knowledge of this as explained on telephone of such date.
A. Means nothing. For a debt that is SOL, what you do or don't understand is not relevant.
Q. KNOW THE FOLLOWING: If someone applies for a credit card, all applications have small detailed notes at the bottom. This is what happens....
Example: Today, If you sign for a Chase, they are also connected to First USA, Bank One, and Heritage Village
A. OK......
Q. If you owe Bank One from an old account, you reactivate it again if you signed for a Chase account. That is what these very small prints are about.
A. I am not sure this is accurate. What is your source for this statement?
Q. If that were the case.... let them know you still disagree, however, willing to clear by having them send you a letter with a new balance, deducting the penalties which is bringing it back down to the original balance $100. In addition, have them note on the same letter that this matter will not affect your credit report. Do not set a payment plan by telephone, if so, you have committed to this balance. only in writing. If you pay without this agreement, it will remain as a collection account on your credit report for 7 years. If they are going to do that, why pay it. You lost both ways.
A. Whoa. I am so confused with all that, I don't even know where to start. I cannot imagine an original creditor negotiating with you on something of that nature.
Q. Most important, something that old should have been a chargeoff on there IRS returns. Which would mean they received credit for their lost.
A. Your statement is not accurate. Chargeoff is a purely accounting transaction. Any business (the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker and the credit card company) can reduce their current income by the amount of any loss (the chargeoff). If they later recover that loss, it all goes back as income and they pay taxes. You make it sound like once the debt has been charged off, the creditor has been "paid" by the goverment. You could not be more wrong.
Q. PS: Do not include your personal information on the letter, only match what they have provided to you.
A. Maybe. Maybe not. You've got to use good judgment. In the case of the OP, they just need to be sure to use enough personal information that they are identifiable in the records of the collection agency. If you do not, then the CA legitimately can say that no cease and desist was ever sent since they cannot match it up in their records. The best solution is to staple the cease and desist letter to one of their letters.
Q. I have been listening to a professional adviser on credit cards.
A. I hope this professional is not putting nonsense and confusion in your head. Although I suspect that is what is happening.
.... thanks