Q: My mom took me for a dentist appointment in 2011 that was never paid. Isn't this passed the statue of limitations?
I tried to make a dentist appointment at the same institution just now. They told me I have to call and pay California Business Bureau for the debt. I was only 16 years old when I received treatment in 2011. This is the first time I'm hearing about it. How should I proceed?
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A:
Under California law, the statute of limitations for most debts is four years from the date of the last payment or acknowledgment of the debt. Since the dental treatment occurred in 2011, and if there has been no payment or acknowledgment since then, the debt is likely beyond the statute of limitations. This means that while the debt might still exist, it cannot be legally enforced in court.
However, it’s important not to make any payment or promise to pay, as this could restart the statute of limitations, making the debt enforceable again. You can inform the collection agency that the debt is time-barred and request that they stop contacting you about it.
If they continue to demand payment, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the California Attorney General's office. Before taking any further steps, it may be helpful to review your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and consider sending a letter to the collection agency requesting they verify the debt.
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