Expert: Barnette Law Offices, LLC - 6/8/2009

Question
Back in November of 08', I received a bill from a collection agency for about $4300.00. I called the agency because I had no idea what it was from. i found out it was from a car that I had voluntarily sent back. So they told me that I was still liable for the car. I got the car in 1997. I talked to I don't know how many people and got different settlement amounts from them, finally I had to settle for $128.00 a month for six months because they told me that they could go after me for up to 12 years for this debt. My six months was up in May. I call them back to see if I had fulfilled what they asked and the person that I spoke with told me that I could settle with them for $1000.00!!! I was LIVID! I was under the impression that I was finished paying them after the six months now they want me to pay six MORE months!!! My question is can this company come after me all this time for this debt? And if not how can I keep them from trying to harass me for the money?

Answer
Renee:

Unless you're in a very strange state in terms of the statute of limitations, it has ran.  That means that while they can sue you, if you raise an affirmative defense of the same the case shall be dismissed.

With that said, it sounds as though you've been mislead.  If you're in Tennessee, we at Barnette Law Offices should be able to assist you.  Jason Barnette is one of our consumer attorneys and handles FCRA/FDCPA/TCPA violations as a regular part of his practice.  Feel free to contact us.

Barnette Law Offices, LLC
1800 Hayes Street
Nashville, TN 37203
615-585-2245
http://www.barnettelawoffices.com