I was just contacted by a very rude man from NCO Portfolio Management stating he was collecting a debt. I asked him what the debt was for and he told me I already new and how did it feel to be a deadbeat in this economy? I asked again to repeat this information and tell me what this debt was for. He told me I had a credit card account with New York and Company. He then stated I owed them $550.00 and I needed to pay it today. I told him I wasn't even aware of a credit card debt and felt that someone had taken my name and social security and opened an account and that I would report it to the authorities.
He then told me they would see me in court and hung up. I then called New York and Company and spoke with someone in their credit card department. They told me this debt was from 1987 and the account was closed in 1989. I asked her what address was the account for and what was charged? She informed me that she cannot give me this information and that I had to call back to NCO Portfolio, they were the only ones with this information because they purchase bad debts and I'm a bad debt.
I find this whole thing very upsetting. Number 1, it's 19 years later from this supposed debt that I have never known about or seen. I check my credit file every month and also have credit watch on the file and have never seen this debt appear. I am very upset to know someone can call and not give any type of proof, except for a social security number, which mine did match. This man also called my cell phone, which is also very upsetting that he would have my cell phone number.
Can anyone tell me if it's legal to collect a debt after 19 years and if so, how do I prove it's not my debt. Do they not have to show me it's mine or prove it's mine? This company is horrible about calling someone and has already stopped to assume the debt is mine - 19 years later.
Any suggestions would help. Thanks.
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