Can collectors report a 10+ year old debt to credit bureau?

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Can collectors report a 10+ year old debt to credit bureau?

I received a call today from a collection agency who are collecting a debt from 10 years ago. They told me that the statute of limitations on the account has expired. I have filed disputes with the credit bureaus and had most of the old account removed from my credit report. Can they still collect this? Will it show up on my credit report?

Asked on March 13, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Florida

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If the time period to file a lawsuit on this ten year old debt has expired (no judgment against you), then the collection agency under the laws of all states in this country is time barred from collecting upon it. Since the debt is more than 10 years old, most likely it will not show up on your credit report.

Most debts on one's credit reports do not stay past 5 to 7 years based on my experience in this area.


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