Forums
I just received a collection notice from an agency alleging that I owe them a debt for a telephone bill. I am an NJ resident and have been domiciled in NJ for my entire life (though during this time I spent <2 years out of state as a student). This debt arose in November 2001. The last payment on record for this account is January 2002. Hasn't' the statute of limitations run on this claim?
Since you have received a collection notice, the first step is to ask the collection agency for debt validation by certified mail. The collection agency must validate it within 30 days from the date of receipt of your letter. Now, if you have made your last payment towards the debt in 2002, your SOL has already expired and you need not make any payment towards the debt. However, you should ask for debt validation to check the last payment towards the telephone bill.
Yes, I agree with Justin. The SOL has expired because the Statute of Limitation for all types of debt in New Jersey is 6 years. Now, if you make any payment towards the debt, the SOL may restart again and you may require to pay off the entire debt. Moreover, since the seven year period has already expired, the debt can no more be listed in your credit report. So you need not bother about the debt.