A ??? about a 13 year old debt?

[jeca]

I went to University back in 1995. A large private university that is also pretty heavily funded by the state because of it's historical status. I received a partial academic scholarship of $3,000 and a book scholarship of about $300. They said my Dad made too much for any other grant and we didn't take out any loans. That left about $4000-$5,000 in tuition. I was 17 years old at the time. Well now 13 years later I have been getting calls from a collection agency asking for the money. Several times a day. I don't answer toll free calls so I haven't talked to them at all. They left messages on my answering machine. Then DH said he talked to them the other day and that's how I knew what they were calling for. So WWYD? I don't have $5,000 to give them though so that's not an option but my dad was suppose to pay for me to go to school. So am I now responsible for this 13 year old debt that I wasn't suppose to pay for in the first place.

[library lady]

Was the loan you received a federal loan or a local loan through the university? That will have a big impact on how you need to handle the debt. Here is a website that has information about statute of limitations for each state regarding debt collection and types of debt: http://www.bcsalliance.com/y_debt_sol.html

There are also some really good links on that page about wage garnishment and other issues.

[jeca]

Originally Posted by library lady

Was the loan you received a federal loan or a local loan through the university?

We didn't take out a loan at all. From what I understood back then dad just had to pay the balance. They may have made a payment plan. That is how he is paying for my sisters school now is on a payment plan. I left after a year and didn't graduate.

[library lady]

Originally Posted by jeca

We didn't take out a loan at all. From what I understood back then dad just had to pay the balance. They may have made a payment plan. That is how he is paying for my sisters school now is on a payment plan. I left after a year and didn't graduate.

That's odd. It sounds like they need to take it up with your dad then. If you didn't sign anything and didn't agree to anything, then they can't really hold you responsible for it. I would think that you would need to see what kind of arrangements your dad did or didn't make with the university, which would be the final determination in how to approach things.

It sounds like a debt scavenger. If there was not a federal student loan, then I think they are beyond the statute of limitations and have no recourse. Have they sent you anything in writing?

[jeca]

I never signed anything then or now. I didn't even know about the debt until they started calling so I have never contacted or sent them anything.

[library lady]

Originally Posted by jeca

I never signed anything then or now. I didn't even know about the debt until they started calling so I have never contacted or sent them anything.

I would ignore it. It sounds like they are just trying to collect old and outdated debts. If they happen to call again, tell them that it is not your debt and that they are not allowed to call you.

[Dar]

If you were seventeen then legally it would be your parents' debt, not yours...

dar

[dogmom327]

Originally Posted by Dar

If you were seventeen then legally it would be your parents' debt, not yours...

dar

:

Check the specific laws in your state but it's very likely it isn't your issue at all.

[UberMama]

Since you were 17 y/o, didn't sign anything, etc. It sounds to me like they are just trying to find your parents through you.

[IncaMama]

yeah it sounds like your dad's issue - have you talked to him?

[Mallori]

I

would ignore it. It sounds like they are just trying to collect old and outdated debts. If they happen to call again, tell them that it is not your debt and that they are not allowed to call you.

:

I wouldn't give them any more than that, esp. your dad's information. Have you spoken to your dad to find out what the deal is?