Portfolio Recovery Associates 18 years after an alleged credit card debt, I'm harrassesed by people refusing to provide I.D.,proof of debt. Norfolk, Virginia

"Coast" stated that admitting the debt is yours will restart the clock on SOL. ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE!!

The ONLY things that restart the SOL clock is MAKING A PAYMENT or an AGREEMENT TO PAY.

The best thing to do is to STAY OFF THE PHONE!! Never speak to ANY third party debt collector/junk debt buyer/bottomfeeder on the phone. NEVER !

As for the OP's problem, make it hard on them! The reason I say this is so YOU can get paid when they violate FDCPA regs.

Send a "request for validation of debt" by certified mail, return reciept requested and put the certified# on the letter itself , and keep a copy for your records. DO NOT sign the letter, just print!

In this letter, DEMAND to see the original signed contract, and itemization of charges, and account history. If they fail to provide this, they cannot continue collection efforts. Just waste their time and money for being stupid. Trip them up, and then sue them for the FDCPA violations!

There is no sweeter justice than making a debt collector pay you!

Please consider filing a report on the following site:

http://www.ftc.gov/reports/index.shtm

If you agree that the debt is yours, the statute of limitations clock starts over. It's ok to tell them to stop contacting you, just don't admit to the debt no matter how much time has past.

I'm having the same problem as the original poster.  They are bothering me over a debt from 1992--well past any US statute of limitations.  I think I'm going to start with a cease-and-desist letter so they must stop calling me.  I am also not picking up the phone unless I recognize the name/number of the caller.  The rest of my household does likewise. 

It does not matter if the debt is yours..This debt is time barred due to its age and does not have to be paid back. Technically, a debt collector can come after you forever for defaulted debt...however, once the statute of limitations is up...they've lost the power to successfully take legal action. Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you can send them a "cease communications" letter and that will be all that you need to do. Per this law they must cease collection activity.

Send the collection agency a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt (NOT regular mail) stating:

Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, cease all communications with me about this alleged debt. This letter has been mailed via Certified Mail with Return Receipt. Receipt of this letter is being officially time stamped.

If the debt collector calls back, tell them that you have officially sent a certified letter to them to cease communications with you per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. If the phone harassment continues....next time they call, read the following statement:

Be advised that this call is being recorded. If you do not consent to being recorded, you need to terminate this call. Continuation of this phone call after officially being informed that it is being recorded implies consent to be recorded. This recording will be used to pursue Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations in a court of law.