Is there a time limit for a company to collect a credit card debt? A few days ago my husband received a bill from some type of collecting agency regarding a credit card debt that supposedly is from at least 10 yrs ago.
Unfortunetly, my husband is terminally ill with brain cancer, and for the most part does not remember who he is, let alone something from that long ago! We have only been together for five years so I know nothing of this either.

Stardust

I feel that you should ignore the matter at this time. Return to me through this forum if you receive a reminder. Keep the communication you have received on file.

There waa a phone message on my phone today from this company, saying it is urgent that my husband get in touch with them!

Should I phone them myself?

Stardust

Yes, it would be a reasonable thing to do since you have received the message. However please do not make any statement on the telephone except to say that the caller should send all communication in writing, preferably by email. Telephone communication should only be through Internet telephony as in www.skype.com so that it can be taken on record.
Do not, in any circumstances, engage in any communication that is not on record, except to respond to the message on the answering machine, and to ask for a written and recorded message instead.

When I phone, do I tell them who I am and the condition of my husband?

It stated in the letter we have only until July 20th to pay this money or call them to discuss other possible arrangements.

It also states:

Unless you notify this office within 30 days after receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of the debt or any portion thereof, this office will assume this debt is valid. If you notify this office in writing within 30 days from receiving this notice, this office will obtain verification of the debt or obtain a copy of the judgement and mail you a copy of such judgement or verificiation. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. This office will provide the name and address of the original creditor, if requested by you within 30 days from receiving this notice

Stardust

I see no point in this immediately as the identity of the party who has left the message is not known. PLEASE DO NOT ERASE THE MESSAGE FROM YOUR TAPE. You could reply using the following draft verbal message.
My name is . I refer to the message you have left for , on , at .
I am the wife of the person for whom you left the message and respond on his behalf as he is incapacitated and seriously ill. Please communicate on the subject of your message, with full details and your identity by email at , whereupon I will seek counsel regarding the next course of action. I take this opportunity to record that your action in leaving such a message on an answering machine is inappropriate in my opinion. Please note that I have preserved your referenced message on tape and reserve the right to use it as part of due legal process against you. This message is delivered to telephone number , on , at .
You can SMS me on 00919820188291 in an emergency.
Please let me know where you live and the places where your husband has lived in the past, especially where he may have taken the loan, so that I may review the applicable laws.
It appears that this is a minor matter, so do not add this nuisance to your tensions in looking after your husband.
Regards

First of all I would like to say I greatly appreciate your help in this matter and thank you whole heartedly also.

We live in the province of Ontario, Canada. In the city of Elliot Lake. My husband is from London, Ontario and this debt would have been incurred there.

To me this matter is more than a nuisance as I do not have the money to pay this debt ! My husband and I are both on Canada Pension Disabilty, and since his illness started two years ago we have incurred more expenses than usual. As we did have to travel 116 miles one way to a larger city for surgery and then 7 weeks of daily radiation treatments, and follow up MRI's and consultations with various doctors. Also, some of his mediations are not fully covered by our medical plan.

It does add alot of stress and tension to this situation under the circumstances and I also worry that they will come after me after his death for this debt.

I am sorry, but I do not know how to SMS.

Stardust

Ok. Never mind the SMS. I check my email several times a day and will keep tabs on your matter. Record your reply along the lines of the draft I have provided and do please preserve the original message you received.
You have enough to worry about without this Credit card matter, so please put it out of your mind. I will let you know if I think you need to take any action. I do not think that it is likely for you to have pay anything for such an old matter.
Mail me at drsbanerji@gmail.com if you need help with your husband's treatment. My wife has over a decade of experience as a volunteer for cancer patients and their families, and will be glad to help.
Do ensure that the doctors know about the limits of your health benefits. Consider enrolling for Clinical trials in which your husband can get free experimental medicine for his condition.
I will study any communication that you may receive from your husband's alleged creditors and advise you on what to do.
Best wishes