I don’t know what to do. I answered my mom's phone and it was from a collection agency.

Usually credit card debt is written off by original lender seven years after last action on the account. That's not to say the debt wasn't sold to a collection agency -- it probably was. But it's not a part of your mother's credit anymore. I don't know all that much about it but it doesn't make any sense to me that your mother would pay this old debt, much less you pay it.

Here is the limitations by state.

creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-state-statute-limitations-1282.php

But I would follow up with a credit counselor. If you find that the credit card company is at fault I would report them to the FTC. Also, run a credit report on Mom and see if this debt is still listed.

Tell the collection company not to call Mom again and keep telling them that. Like said this is an old debt. See if you can find paperwork who she paid. She may have paid this to the credit card people and the collection company was not informed. Call your Office of Aging and ask if they have someone who can tell you mom's rights. Hiring a lawyer will cost u more than the balance due.

Call was probably from a secondary debt collector.
If the debt before 2005, then the “OC” aka the original creditor (like the bank who issued the MasterCard, Visa) has written it off or done a settlement back before 2005/2006. Your mom would know the details but that’s not feasible to ask her now.....

What has likely happened is debt was sold (for nickels on the $) to a first secondary debt collection group years ago.This first group would churn the account for a while trying to get mom to pay and if nothing was profitable, they in turn sell it (for pennies on the $) to a another collections group. Pattern continues and each time it goes to an even lower bottom feeder debt collections outfit.

Pre2005 debt is really old & outside Statute of Limitations probably for all states. I’m guessing that somewhere in last dz years mom said something OR collections claimed that mom acknowledged the debt so it reset and is viewed as fresh. It’s cycling through bottom tier collections companies again. Ruthless & beyond pesky but nothing they can do actually do. But they will imply all sorts actions can happen to her or whomever they can get to take responsibility. Only OC can issue a IRS reported 1099-C on the debt.

If they start to hound you and imply it’s your debt, that you assumed responsibility, yada yada that’s a big steaming pile. My suggestion if that happens is to send a certified letter with a RRR/return registered receipt (USPO & like $8.00) to them. If there seems to be 2 addresses- like office address & payment address - send to each. 1page Letter states the debt info & that its not your debt, not responsible & any future contact from receipt of letter will be considered harrasment. Save letter to a file as when it gets sold again, you can update & mail it out again.

My late MIL was a real financial terrorist. Lots of debt both personal & small business. My hubs is a Jr, so in theory her & I were both Mrs. John Smith. So I got quite a few “you owe” letters. Took about 5 years to cycle out & stop. Fun times. Some states allow you to seek redre$$ for harassment. That’s when the certified/RRR comes in as the RRS has a signature on it & the certified has verified delivery. So a fine can be placed.

Staffbull, I've read your post a few times; there are some definite actions that you can take but there are also a lot more actions that you should avoid. I'd need a good block of time to address everything you raised, but I do want to just quickly offer one suggestion.

DON'T talk to anyone with an unrecognizable number. Let the call go to voice mail; it if's important or friendly, a message will be left. But never answer the phone if you don't recognize the number.

There are a lot of reasons for this, one of which is scams, and the second of which is that calls are recorded and edited, and by saying ANYTHING, you could be allowing the caller to manipulate any kind of situation.

Just tell them to stop the calls, you will consider it harassment, and if it continues you will report them.

I was getting calls from FirstAlert for return of equipment or payment for it after stepdad passed. I was not his executor and had no idea of the location of the equipment. They called, emailed a few times. Each time I gave them info on how to contact his daughter, executor. Finally I told them any further contact to me would be harassment. No more calls.

Your situation I would simply tell them that the bill was addressed twenty years ago.

We had a hospital here try to collect the portion of bill the insurance did not pay and that the patient was not responsible for. The story made the news and all were warned not to pay anything. It was a fishing expedition to find money to avoid bankruptcy.

Staffbull - doesn't seem like you screwed up at all. Here is a helpful link to an article listing 10 things to do to stop debt collectors from harassing you.

abcnews.go.com/Business/10-tactics-stop-rogue-debt-collectors-tracks/story?id=16220825#

These debts are often sold to unscrupulous collection agencies that try to bully people into paying up, even though YOU owe nothing unfortunately giving them your email address may leave you open to a lot of unwarranted harassment.

Did I screw up

I didn’t acknowledge her debt but i thought it was a scam and he said he couldn’t talk to me about anything but he said I could just pay that amount and He asked me if he could send me the information i wanted to see if it was legal but there was no agreement orally to pay and I responded back that this debt is past the statute of limitations

First, don't stress over it. It will work out. Does your Mom have dementia symptoms? This is a typical pattern for an early dementia patient. And if so, you need to give her a break and try to focus on getting ahold of the problem before it gets worse. Pull a credit report on her and you will be able to see any past due bills. Don't pay off anything without getting written releases. If you are dealing with dementia, there is a very helpful forum at AlzConnected.org.
Blessings,
Jamie

You need to contact an attorney who specializes in elder law. You cannot deal with these huge credit card companies on your own. In the long run, YOU are not responsible for her debts, SHE is. Does anyone have Power of Attorney over her? Do you know if she has any other debts you aren’t aware of? If you feel you can have a serious and meaningful conversation with her, sit her down and tell her you want to help her clear these debts. Don’t accuse, don’t judge and don’t blame. Keep telling her you want to work together to help her. Then use the attorney to negotiate with the credit card companies. You can also join a debt relief program, which you can find online.

This is your mother's debt. YOU - YOU DO NOT PAY.

They said it was for interest only. So, they already got their principal back.

It's an OLD debt from 13 years ago. The STATUE OF LIMITATION probrably ran out already which means the debtor (your mother) is NOT obligated to pay.

VERY IMPORTANT - Do NOT acknowledge her debt or else the clock will restart.

DO NOT give them your bank account number. They will clean it out.

Credit card debts are UNSECURED. They can not put liens on any property. Don't believe these credit card companies or the slimy collectors. They LIE all the time.