Debt Enforcement CAMCO? Trying to collect on old debt ripoff - some advice Rockford Illinois

A man left a message on my machine claiming that he was from Debt Enforcement and was trying to transfer a warrant to my jurisdiction. The caller ID correctly showed Debt Enforcement I thought it was a civil warrant server trying to serve me or I would have never called him back.

Turns out he was a debt collector trying to collect on a Circuit City FNAB account that was almost 9 years old. He used all the threats and excuses that I see in all the CAMCO posts. Im just wondering if this is CAMCO operating with a new spin or a new agency trying to use the CAMCO approach to collect on old time limit expired debts. In the end he hung up on me when I told him to transfer me to his accounts payable department. I wanted tell the clerk that I had a 9 year old unpaid invoice for some office supplies they ordered and I needed for her to send me a check.

My advice:
Know the laws for your state. Use the internet to find out all your rights.

Dont acknowledge or worry about anything older than the statue of limitations.

Dispute any credit report entry if the original account is over 7 years old. When a collection agency does this they call it restarting the clock.If you dispute it with the credit bureau they have to remove it.

Hang up on them and always send a cease and desist letter by certified mail.

You don't owe them anything proving that you paid, didn't pay, picked up the check or anything else relating to the debt. Dont waste your time trying.

Dont feel any more threatened if it's from XYZ atty. of say New York if you live in say California. These are usually just big collection agencies owned by a law firm so they sound more threatening. In order to sue you they have to get a California licensed atty. This cost them money so they will just go on to somebody they can badger into paying.

If you are still within the statute of limitations on a debt don't worry yourself sick about it. Getting served with a civil warrant is not as bad as it sounds. If you have some bad debt it is a real but small possibility. Believe me, most collection agencies wont pay a local lawyer to have you served in your jurisdiction. You have options and remedies after they serve you. Getting served doesnt automatically mean garnishments, seizures, etc. One option you have is something called slow pay through the court. The collection people hate it when you do this. A plus side is that if they went that far and involved the court then it makes it hard for them to play fast and loose with the rules.

Hope this helps some of you

David
Gallatin, Tennessee
U.S.A.