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collections on debt after 19 years


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Ok, very first post, bear with me. My husband and I had divorced in 1996. After this happened, I started getting calls from Citibank telling me I owed them $2500. Here, my husband, took the card out in my name without telling me about it. I remember writing checks out to Citibank, but he always told me the account # to put down, and always got the mail since I worked two jobs. I had no reason to distrust him. Citibank is not listed on any of my credit reports any more. (they told me that even though I didn't take out the card, I was still responsible since we were married when he did this) Now, I received a letter from a company they sold the "account" to, and they are wanting me to pay them $5000. (when I had called my former husband many years ago, he had stated he paid them off. obviously, he didn't).

The letter I received states that "I" opened the account in 1989. They sent the letter in my old married name, which I haven't used since 1996 (I opened it without paying attention to the name on front). I had originally been living in PA and just moved to GA last year, and am remarried.

How did they track me after all this time? Also, can they come after me for a card which I didn't take out? Especially after 19 years?

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No. Write them a letter telling them that any alleged debt is way past the statue of limitations and they are to never contact you again in regards to it. Mention that if they do contact you again, you will sue them for violating §805© of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Make a copy of your letter for your own records and send it out certified mail, return receipt requested.

You're never likely to hear from them again. And if they do contact you*, sue. You'll collect an easy $2,000 judgment for 15 minutes in small claims court.

* Edit: They're allowed to contact you one more time to tell you that they're abiding to by your wishes, but that's it.

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Ok, very first post, bear with me. My husband and I had divorced in 1996. After this happened, I started getting calls from Citibank telling me I owed them $2500. Here, my husband, took the card out in my name without telling me about it. I remember writing checks out to Citibank, but he always told me the account # to put down, and always got the mail since I worked two jobs. I had no reason to distrust him. Citibank is not listed on any of my credit reports any more. (they told me that even though I didn't take out the card, I was still responsible since we were married when he did this) Now, I received a letter from a company they sold the "account" to, and they are wanting me to pay them $5000. (when I had called my former husband many years ago, he had stated he paid them off. obviously, he didn't).

The letter I received states that "I" opened the account in 1989. They sent the letter in my old married name, which I haven't used since 1996 (I opened it without paying attention to the name on front). I had originally been living in PA and just moved to GA last year, and am remarried.

How did they track me after all this time? Also, can they come after me for a card which I didn't take out? Especially after 19 years?

I agree with ShortBus, don't panic, it seems the debt is beyond sol for legal recourse and reporting, send them a FOAD C&D letter CMRR and watch them run for the hills.

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If you play your cards right they will be sending you checks instead of the other way around.

How?

Simple - buy a tape recorder and get them on the phone. Try to get them to threaten to sue. Since the debt is Out of Statute, even the threat of a suit is a FDCPA violation and they owe you $1000.

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If you play your cards right they will be sending you checks instead of the other way around.

How?

Simple - buy a tape recorder and get them on the phone. Try to get them to threaten to sue. Since the debt is Out of Statute, even the threat of a suit is a FDCPA violation and they owe you $1000.

Good idea, but the OP may want to check their state laws about recording.

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Sue in Federal Court and they are all 1-party states.

I know, just letting the poster who gave advice to record that it's ok to do so, but when giving advice like that always check, some folk come here and take the advice we give them as the gospel and go and do something to get their self in the pickle barrel. Laws and statutes do change from time to time. Dog gave the website folk generally use as a guide but also good to check against your states statutes.

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