Today I got a call from the State of Utah saying I still owe about $1000 for a ticket from 2009. They gave me the court’s number, but when I called, they weren’t really helpful. They said the debt is with collectors now, and the collectors are asking for proof of payment.
The problem is, I was 16 when this happened, and my dad (who I’m no longer in contact with) was the one who paid it back then. I don’t think he kept a receipt, especially since it’s been 15 years!
Is this something I should be worried about? Could it mess with my credit? It feels odd that they’re coming after me for something from when I was just a teenager.
Try calling the Utah DMV and ask if this shows on your record or if it affects getting or renewing your license. If they say no, I wouldn’t stress.
Since you were a minor, they can’t put this on your credit report. And it’s been over 7 years, so they probably can’t sue either. But check Utah’s rules on ticket collections just to be sure.
They may keep calling, but you don’t have to pay if there’s no legal hold on you.
Look up the time limit on debt collection in Utah. If you’re past it, you can tell them to leave you alone. Since they sold the debt, you don’t owe the state anymore. But be careful – even saying you’ll pay part of it could restart the whole thing.
Just tell them, “I was 16, a minor, and my dad paid. Go talk to him.” Don’t let them get anything out of you.
If it somehow shows up on your credit report, you can dispute it with the bureau due to the age. Also, check with the DMV to ensure there’s nothing blocking your license renewal. Contact the court that issued the ticket to make sure there’s no warrant or open case.
If everything checks out, tell the debt collectors to back off. I had a similar issue with a ticket in Texas. Years after I paid it, I kept getting threatening letters from a ‘law firm’ that’s just a collection agency. I’ve confirmed many times with the court that I owe nothing.
@Cary
Exactly. These agencies rely on scaring people. I had one call me about a debt that was more than seven years old. They said they could still take me to court, but they were just trying to intimidate me.
Once a debt is past the limit, they can’t legally act on it. They can try to contact you, but that’s about it. Just make sure your DMV record is clear, and ignore the rest.
If you were a minor, the debt probably can’t be collected. And it’s likely past the collection period anyway. They might just be trying to get you to admit to it.
Send them a ‘drop dead’ letter through certified mail. By law, they’d have to stop contacting you unless they’re suing you. If the time limit is over, they can’t even take legal action.
They’re hoping you’ll just pay out of fear. If they contact you after the letter, document it, and you could even sue them for harassment.