Eltman, Eltman & Cooper - Celtic Financial Services froze account, took $500+ dollars, demanding $2,800 more New York New York

In February, my business bank account was frozen and I called the number provided by my bank to find out why. I spoke to a very rude woman who said I owed them money and they were going to take all the money from my account and there was nothing I could do about it. She asked for a lot of personal information, which I refused to provide. She knew my SSN and address and other things about me and I acknowledged that information may have been correct. I didn't care for her attitude or answers so I hung up on her. (It was a D.B.A. account)

Last week I received a letter (addressed to "Mr/Ms. my last name) on Eltman letterhead, offering to settle an outstanding debt of $2,851.56 for $2,138.67 or make some payment arrangement. According to the correspondence dated 12/4/2007, the amount stemmed from a 1999 judgement filed against me in Albany City Court.

The letter, signed by Collection Supervisor Frank Valdivia, said interest would continue to accrue on the account at nine percent per year. "Judgements in New York are vail and enforceable for 20 years from the date of entry," Valdivia said in the letter.

After reading earlier posts, it would appear to me they continue to send form letters on firm letterhead without attorney supervision. I assume that anyone with sufficient accumen to pass the NYS Bar exam would recognize that Anthony is a man's name and address the letter to "Mr. ____."

I have two questions:
1. Are judgements enforceable for 20 years in this state?
2. If I move my banking to a neighboring state, would my funds be immune from their grasp? Or, is the judgement enforceable in other states as well?

I knew I should have fought this when it all happened. I began the civil case but when the city court clerk advised to rework the motion to vacate, I got busy with too much other stuff that I ended up letting it slide. The $500 is the price I pay for laziness, I guess. But, do I have to pay them thousands more?

Allow me to thank you in advance for any assistance you may provide in this matter.

Tony
Whitehall, New York
U.S.A.