If Toyota reported I had a zero balance on my credit report in 2003, am I liable for any debt?

by Sue
(King of Prussia, PA)

Toyota reported I had a zero balance in 2003 on my credit report (from all 3 bureaus). Recently (2011) I received a letter from a collection law firm saying "the above referenced debt has been assigned to this firm to initiate collection efforts regarding your delinquent outstanding balance to our client. (Client: Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (3107), Balance Due: $10,582.40.)"

What recourse do I have? I called the law firm and told them what my credit report said and they said it might not have been reported. Since I have not had any dealings with Toyota since then, am I liable for this debt?

Reply from DebtCollectionAnswers.com:

According to our sources, the statute of limitations for most consumer debts in Pennsylvania is four years. Unless they have a court judgment against you, it sounds like this debt may be too old. (We aren't attorneys, so please confirm that information independently.)

If the debt is too old, you can send the collection law firm a cease contact letter telling them the debt is too old, and instructing them not to contact you again.