Can a debt on a credit card over 7 years old be collected?
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Can a debt on a credit card over 7 years old be collected?
I have debt collectors who have purchased old debts calling and trying to collect. There are 2 debts and they both are over 7 years old. Can I say or do anything to make them stop calling my cell phone and costing me money after so long?
Asked on June 28, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Arkansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It may be too late for the debt collectors to enforce these debts. In your state, the statute of limitations, or time period to sue, on a written contract (like the credit card agreements) is only 5 years. That is 5 years from the date of default, or when you failed to pay on time. If your default is more than 5 years old, the debt collectors should not be able to legally enforce the debts anymore.
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