Unique situation on an old debt

by CS
(Lawrence, KS USA)

I recently received two letters from a collection agency on a debt that is 12 years old. And the amount on the letters are different amounts. The debt is from a broken lease in Georgia in 1998. Since then I've lived in Wisconsin, Texas, and now Kansas. I am not a permanent resident of Kansas because I am in school full-time. My permanent residence is in Texas, but the letters were sent to me in Kansas. I don't recall ever speaking to anyone about this debt while living in Texas or Wisconsin, nor is this debt currently on my credit report. And I can't recollect if its ever been.

Before I left the apt complex in GA I remember signing a roommate release form. I immediately left due to a threatening situation. But apparently after I left this release was not approved by the apt manager because they felt that my roommate would not be able to uphold the financial obligation of the apt on her salary.

A few weeks after I left my roommate abandoned the apartment. I have not spoken to this roommate in years nor do I have a way of contacting her to find out the specifics of this or even if there was a judgment against this. What do I need to do? Should I contact the collection agency?

If there was a judgment, how come its never been on my credit report? And how do I find out if there is one?