trying to collect 20 y/o debt!

[rosehouse]

I am in Texas. I have recently been contacted (harrassed?) daily by a debt collector asking for me by my maiden name. I've been married 15 years and moved at least 6 times. This debt has got to be at least 20 years old. Can they still put this on my credit report and . . . how the hell did they find me??? If they know my number, they had to know my name -- why do they ask for me by my maiden name?? Is this a last ditch effort for collection companies to keep their employees busy during down times -- JUST IN CASE I might cave in and pay?? I don't say hello when I see one of them calling, that way it doesn't trip the system to let them know I'm there and they go away or sit there and scream HELLO? HELLO?? HELLO??? Then hang up. I do not even know what they are trying to collect. I also get letters, but they also do not say who they are collecting for. What to do?

 

[HomeGuru]

I am in Texas. I have recently been contacted (harrassed?) daily by a debt collector asking for me by my maiden name. I've been married 15 years and moved at least 6 times. This debt has got to be at least 20 years old. Can they still put this on my credit report and . . . how the hell did they find me??? If they know my number, they had to know my name -- why do they ask for me by my maiden name?? Is this a last ditch effort for collection companies to keep their employees busy during down times -- JUST IN CASE I might cave in and pay?? I don't say hello when I see one of them calling, that way it doesn't trip the system to let them know I'm there and they go away or sit there and scream HELLO? HELLO?? HELLO??? Then hang up. I do not even know what they are trying to collect. I also get letters, but they also do not say who they are collecting for. What to do?

**A: please explain what this debt is for?

 

[seniorjudge]

"...This debt has got to be at least 20 years old...."

How do you know this?