How to Get Rid of Zombie Debt: Get Rid of That Old Debt Once and For All

Are old debts that have been settled, now coming back to haunt you? Are collection agencies contacting you regarding debts from 1982? You may be a victim of zombie debt and its time to stand firm and get rid of those pesky debts once and for all.

Instructions

1

Zombie debt is simply debt that are the result of mistaken or stolen identity, debts that have been settled through bankruptcies, or debts that have run surpassed there statue of limitations.

So if these debts are settled through one method or another, why are they coming back to haunt consumers? Simply, collection agencies don't care. They sell debts from one collection agency to another. And each new collection agency will try to collect on those newly purchased debts.

2

When first confronted with a zombie debt, don't acknowledge that it belongs to you even if you know it does.

3

If it does belong to you, check out the statue of limitations in your state. If the debt is more than 7 years old, you want to ignore the collector. Don't acknowledge the debt is yours, don't acknowledge that you have been notified of the debt, just go on about your business.

If you acknowledge the debt and agree to pay it, then the statute of limitations starts all over again. And now instead of removing this old debt from your credit report, it is placed on there again for another 7 years (depending on the state you live in), which can actually hurt your credit.

4

If this is debt is one that was settled as a result of bankruptcy or was a result of identity theft, you can a) provide the collection agency with documentation to prove this, or b) ignore them.

If you have filed bankruptcy you want to get a discharge order from the courts which will protect you from any zombie debts. You can provide the collection agency with a copy of it.

If this debt is past the statute, you may want to ignore them and watch your credit reports for any entries they may add. If they try to add a negative entry send the credit bureau a letter stating the statute of limitations is up and the matter was settled, and give them 30 days to take it off your report.

5

If you don't owe the debt you can also send the collection agency a letter, certified mail, demanding that they stop contacting you.