13 year old unpaid ticket

(NC)

I was in a car accident (not my fault) in AZ. I had valid out of state tags on my car and a valid license, valid registration,valid insurance.

The officer asked if I had a business card in case he needed to reach me. I was cooperating and gave him a card. I had not yet started working as a contracter, selling ads, for this ad publication. The officer wrote me a ticket for $700, for being employed in AZ, but not having a valid driver's license.

I went to court, trial date was set. I could not stay in AZ. Friend I was staying with had a lease that expired. I was not planning on staying in AZ. I went back home. Long story....I did leave forwarding address, notified court. Judgement against me, failure to appear. I just (this past month) found out about the failure to appear; having no idea there was a third court date in 1998. I have no other legal offenses or tickets, and have (otherwise)excellent credit.

Debt collector called me 6/2010. Never sent me anything in writing. I don't know if they are just trying to steal my personal info, so I refused to give them my address or verify my birthdate (on advice of my attorney). I had requested in writing and on phone, proof of my debt. I requested that it be faxed to me, providing a fax number. No info was sent. I don't know if they are pretending to be a legit debt collector.

They do have my address. The lady started reading it to me, mispronouncing the street name. I said nothing. They say I owe $900. First call, lady mentioned she didn't have my ss# and said they usually have those. She did have my court case number

Now, I check caller ID. If they call, I pick up the phone and hang up. I had orally asked them twice to stop calling me and reminded them about the proof of debt I requested. Now they just have a recording, asking me to press 1 if the person is me, or 2 if I am not me. I say I am not me. The recording asks that I call them.

Do any red flags come up to you? I heard that they can't sue me over this because it's over 7 years. Yes, I need to deal with the failure to appear. I am also applying for a job. They ask if you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor. I want to be honest, but don't want to lose out on a job application because of this. Any ideas to help me? What is the statute of limitations on pursuing this debt?

I am still waiting on a lawyer from AZ to call me (prepaid legal advice), to see what grounds I have to fight this. I am unemployed and have a serious chronic illness. I also suffer from depression. This debt is making it worse. I now fear losing my driver's license.