Article Sphere Logo
Debt Relief Article

Debt Elimination

By Expert Author: John Allison
Word Count: 430 words | Views: 533 view(s)
State Statutes of Limitation on Debt Collection

Are you being hounded by a debt collector for an old debt you thought was written off years ago? If so, it is likely you are being contacted by a scavenger debt collector, which is a company that purchases older, mostly uncollectible debt for a tiny fraction of its value. Scavenger debt collectors are notorious for using illegal and unethical methods to collect "time-barred" debt.

You do not have to pay debt that is considered too old by your state. Every state has laws governing the time in which a person or entity can file suit to collect a debt. Generally, a creditor or debt collector gives up his right to file suit to collect a debt after a period of six years from the time the debt was written off (or the date of last activity on your credit report), but various states allow anywhere from 2 to 15 years to collect delinquent debt (see statutes of limitation table below).

The purpose of these statutes of limitation is to bring some measure of fairness to the debtor so that he / she (1) will not have to worry about being sued for the rest of their lives; and (2) so that the debtor can properly defend himself with fresh evidence and witnesses, if any.

This doesn't mean that a creditor cannot file suit against you after the statute of limitations has expired; however, if a creditor or debt collector does file suit, you can ask the judge to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the statute of limitations has expired. In fact, if the statute of limitations is about to run on debt you owe, don't be surprised if you suddenly hear from a collection agency threatening to sue if you don't pay immediately.

If a debt collector contacts you regarding an old debt, do not admit that you owe the debt and do not agree to make any payments. Simply tell them that the "statute of limitations has run on this debt and do not contact me again". If they continue contacting you, send them a certified letter, return receipt requested, telling them not to contact you about the debt again. Remember -- DO NOT ADMIT THAT YOU OWE THE DEBT, DO NOT AGREE TO PAY THE DEBT, AND DO NOT AGREE TO SEND ANY MONEY TO THEM. If you do, then the statute of limitations might start running all over again, giving them the legal right to sue you.
John Allison

About the Author:

John owns the Debt Elimination Plan which helps people learn about debtfree

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/Debt-Elimination/71951

 This Article has been viewed 533 times.
  

Related Videos



 

Related Articles

 
 

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Debt Relief" article category.

People interested in the above article "Debt Elimination" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 
Spending is fun especially if you've just received your new credit card and you have a big credit limit. It will allow you to make any purchase. You can take it anywhere with you and shop conveniently. However, despite the pleasures one can get from shopping with plastic money, there is a risk of overspending until you find yourself up to neck in debt. Credit cards can be dangerous when you don't know how to properly control your finances.
Sometimes, it is possible to have so much debt that it becomes overwhelming in the end. When this happens, you will have a whole list of creditors calling you and aggressively asking you to pay them back, "or else". When this occurs, it becomes difficult to think properly about how to get help with credit card debt, as you are not only worried about your credit ratings, but you are also stressed because you are unsure of how you are going to pay everyone back if there is no money available. The only way to get out of the situation is by first getting a grip on yourself.
Do you need help with debt problems? Have you overcommitted yourself financially and feel like you are drowning in debt? Do you need help negotiating the debts that you have? You are not alone and you are not beyond help!
Are you in trouble with high credit card debt? Do you feel stressed to the point you don't know which way to turn to get the help that you need? At this time of financial uncertainty, and we're all going through it, anyone who is trying to stay afloat and keep their assets must eliminate credit card problem. There are few options for anyone trying to stabilize their credit in the shortest period of time.
Debt settlement offers relief when you have trouble paying up your entire debt amount. It is a process that requires a lot of patience. Creditors may not be willing to settle in the beginning, but if you can hold your patience, you may finally convince them. Find out how the process works and how it is different from consolidation.
You're now in a position to guarantee to settle your debts at 55 cents for every dollar owed. On top of that, the company will buy out your money owed upfront, rather than you waiting for years to see any outcomes. This is the case with conventional applications available. This means that your credit report will show balances of $.00 dollars on all the money owed you enroll and your credit can start the repair process from the start.
Are you struggling to get out of your heavy debt burden? Is your poor credit score worrying you? Well, you no longer need to worry anymore, because there is a way out from this financial catastrophe. Debt negotiation settlements are fast becoming a ray of hope for thousands of consumers who are burdened with high debt.
Article Directory Home All Categories Finance Debt Relief Debt Elimination
 

Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google Search!
 
Copyright © 2005 - by Larry Lim, Singapore - Article Search Engine Directory at ArticleSphere.com™
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. All Trademarks and Servicemarks are the property of the respective owners.