Q: If I send a cease & desist letter to debt collector, on time barred debt, but do not acknowledge debt, will they sue?
A third party debt collector has obtained an old debt of around $700. This type of debt is beyond the statute of limitations in my state of PA. I am mailing a letter stating such debt is beyond SOL, thus time-barred. Also, I am requesting no further contact. Can/will this collector still (attempt) to sue? My biggest fear is restarting the debt clock.
A: Considering the tiny size of the old debt, it is not very likely that a debt collection company will try to enforce it--even in small claims court. Rather than say or do anything that could possibly result in reaffirmation, why not say nothing, wait to see what happens and if they do sue, raise the SOL in court, where it will be effective.
A:
There may be case law in your jurisdiction the talks about debt collectors seeking to recover monies on that's that are barred by the statute of limitations. At least one case has held that attempting to collect a debt on an expired statute of limitations may be contrary to the fair debt collection practices act (FDCPA). So, YOU might have a claim against the debt collector!
See the following case: https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=13756492026146601939
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
