Can a debt be colected after 14yrs?

by Napolen
(Chicago, IL)

I received a phone call today April 29,2010 about 14 parking tickets from an old resident and vehicle that I use to own. The tickets are back from 1996. Can they still collect? My license has been suspended since, but I do not drive nor have a car. I now live in the city and have no use for a car. Can a bill collector call and ask me to pay, still?

Comments for Can a debt be colected after 14yrs?

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Apr 29, 2010
 Debt collector trying to collect very old parking tickets
by: Mary

Thanks for submitting your debt collection question on our Q&A page. .

Even though your traffic tickets are nearly a decade old, debt collectors are legally entitled to continue trying to get you to pay them. Also, although I am not an attorney and am not an expert on Illinois law, my understanding is that in Illinois, there is no statute of limitations on those tickets. This means that unlike most types of past due debts, there is no time limit on when a debt collectors would no longer be entitled to sue you for the money you owe.

I realize you are not driving right now and don't have a car, but even so, if you have the money, I would pay the tickets. (You may be able to work out a payment plan with the collector.) If you continue to ignore them, you'll be in constant jeopardy of being sued for the money you owe and a lawsuit would not only be a hassle for you but it would also be very damaging to your credit scores.

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