Hello, Back in 2001 I was 21. My mother and step father got me into some mess with some land. Not knowing what was going on, basically my family used my credit to buy 5 acres of land at a high price. I don't know all the details, my family will not tell me what they were doing. I don't know if it was illegal or not... anyways my family said they took care of it and pay it back. And they didn't. Now long story short, this never showed up on my credit until now 7 almost 8 years later, it is now 2008 almost 2009, I started getting harassed by a collection agency in FL and I am in GA. This is not coming from the bank which was located in SC I believe. They started sending police to my house like every 2 days. I did not answer the door. It has been about a year now and I haven't heard anything else from the collection agency, but a HUGE ding is on my credit. What are the steps I need to take to fix this issue with my credit. It has been over 7 years, and NOW they want to collect? Doesn't this go against Statue of Limitation? Do I need a lawyer to help? Any advice is welcome. Thanks!
Just because it's over 7 years will not stop them.You need to check and see if there's a judgement on you.Because you didn't answer the door doesn't stop the wheels of justice.I would close my bank accounts and get another bank.You might seek a lawyer.
Well I have a lawyer in the family, and they told me as long as they can't serve me then there is nothing they can do. I never had an account with the Bank and I do not think that there is a judgment against me. I have never seen any papers or anything. Not even a certified letter to me.
First of all the court wouldn't send a cert.letter as for being served they could have left it with a neighbor or an different address,so you would never know check with your local court,or your family lawyer but he would know that.He could check pacer or nexis.
Yes, you need to check at the courthouse to see if there have been any suits filed against you (and judgments obtained) since 2001. Also check the court house at any other addresses you've had. State laws vary, but in some states they can even "serve" you by printing a notice in the newspaper--and it can be the smallest one with the lowest circulation. Just because you don't answer the door, you may not be safe. If there is already a judgment, the sherriff could be coming to put your things up for sale.
No no I do not live on the land. The property was sold by the bank. The deed is no longer in my name. I will check if any judgment outstanding. Now if there was a judgment on me...I went to court the other day for a traffic violation. Wouldn't that have been a red flag if there was something outstanding?
Not necessarily. If the judgment has been granted, there is no open activity. It's up to the creditor to collect.
