by GettingNowhere » Mon Mar 10, 2008 03:51:51 PM
Hi Everyone. I'm a newbie here.
A couple days ago I received a letter in the mail from MJR Collection Services in Mississauga, Ontario. They claim that I owe Hudson's Bay Company $1,611.29. The letter states legal action will be taken against me if I do not pay this amount in the next 7 days.
I called the collection officer a couple of times and finally spoke with him today. I told him that the last time I had a Zeller's card (not an HBC card as he states it is) was at least 11 years ago and I paid the amount that was owing then. I went to the store and paid cash and got a receipt. I distinctly remember doing so because afterward I cut up the card.
I lived at this residence for at least another year, and during that time I never received another statement, and never received a phone call saying that I owed any money. Since then I have moved 7 different times. I no longer have that receipt confirming that I paid. Why would I?
After explaining all this, the collections agent confirmed the address I was living at when I paid this bill, confirmed my SIN number, and I confirmed my birthday because it was a month off.
He suggested that I didn't pay it, bad memory, etc, and the amount back then was $487.69. I remember paying it. Case closed as far as I'm concerned. I asked why the hell they waited 11 years to contact me?...He had no answer. He offered me a settlement of $645.
I can't prove I paid it. My questions are as follows:
Do they have any legal standing to collect, or take me to court after waiting 11 years?
My debt obviously cleared after 7 years because I have good credit.
What are my options here?
I told him since I know I paid it back then and it's been 11 years with no contact from them, I am not paying it. No way in hell!
I was courteous, and so was he, and I told him I wanted to investigate this on my own and I will get back to him. He gave me the original file and description number, and said pretty much my only course of action would be to contact HBC directly, but he doubted that would do anything.
I've done some research through links I found in some other posts here, but I'm not understanding the legal mumbo jumbo.
I need some straight up basic advice and knowledge of what my rights are. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.