Q: Can a collection agency try to get you for a repossession from over 10 years ago?
My roommate had her car repossessed back in 2006. She had just received a call the other Day from Global International Services saying they have been trying to get a hold of her for years but had her old address...saying she owes $7,000 for her car...otherwise they were going to garnish her wages. She explained to them she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and didn't have the money...so they lowered it to JUST $500 THAT SHE OWED.....is this allowed and does she have to pay them......
A:
Probably not . . . unless Global actually has a judgment against her already. The statute of limitations for collecting on a civil judgment, however, is generally five (5) years, although the judgment can be "revived" for another five years if certain court procedures are undertaken by the judgment creditor within those first five years. Your roommate would've received notice of any attempt to "revive" any judgment against her during this time, though.
It sounds like this Global outfit is just a bill collector trying to collect on an old, unenforceable debt. It's probably a safe bet to call their bluff and tell them to sue her if they think they have a leg to stand on. And if she's going to go that route, there's zero reason to talk to them anymore -- ever. Best of luck to her.
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