SKS Associates Northern Leasing Noticeof taxes due for 1998 to 2002! New York, New York

I am somewhat surprised to see all the postings regarding the same issue I am having.

Yesterday I received a letter from SKS telling me I was either not charged or undercharged taxes and fees related to a lease with Northern Leasing.  I do not lease any equipment and the name SKS was unfamiliar but Northern Leasing did ring a bell.  I called and spoke to a woman right away.  I told her this must be a mistake as I do not currently lease any equipment and asked her just what equipment this was supposed to be for.  I was told it was a credit card machine.  I told her this is defiantly a mistake as I OWN my machine and have for over 7 years.  She said it may have been an old lease and proceeded to look up my account.  I was then informed that the taxes due were for the years 1998 through 2002!!!

I am wondering exactly what the small business owners rights are here.  I am being asked to pay this amount without any sort of PROOF that I owe this.  I was told that they have proof that the taxes were paid but I have no proof that I did NOT pay them as I do not keep records over a decade old!  If THEY bought a company (Northern Leasing) that was incompetent with their record keeping/bill paying, why am I responsible??

Seems to me like they are trying to make up for a poor business decision by getting US to cough up more money.  I sure wish I could go to customers I did business with 10+ years ago and get them to give me more money to make up for my poor accounting.

I am not sure if they can get money from me as I have changed banks since then.