First of all, never answer a call from someone you don't know. It is the easiest way for scammers to get you. Also, did you know that debts have expiration dates? Besides, child support, Federal Student Loans, IRS payments, all loans have expiration dates. If they haven't collected the debt after seven years from the DATE YOUR ACCOUNT went into default, too bad so sad for the debtor. By law, they have to remove that information from your credit file. If they do not comply, then can be fined by the government.

BUT, again I type, BUT if you answer the phone from a collection agency, then they can say and claim anything and therefore, they can report your credit file again to the three reporting agencies as though it was day one. This is why you should never, ever answer the phone from anyone you don't know. If it's important, the person will leave a message. If you don't recognize the number, or the person leaving a voicemail message, DO NOT pick up that phone. You can always call from another phone not related to you in any way whatsoever and find out who is calling you. NEVER identify yourself. If the person answering doesn't want to tell you who they are, CHANCES ARE it is a collection agency.

So again, if your account has gone into default, wait seven years and legally have it removed from your file. You don't even have to hire a lawyer to do it. That is the law. IF anyone writes the contrary on this page, you should know that the person probably works for any of the three credit beauraus or a collection agency.