 TITLE: How to Deal With Debt Collectors CONTENT: Know the Statute of Limitations\n-------------------------------\nWorried about being sued for an old debt? Time may be on your side. Collectors have a fixed number of years to take legal action against you. The statute of limitations varies by state and type of debt, so find out what that period is for you by checking with your state attorney general's office. If the clock has run out, you're protected against a lawsuit. Mind that the statute of limitations has nothing to do with how long the debt can appear on your credit report. A collector may be prohibited from suing you after a few years, but the account can still show up on your report until it hits that seven-year mark. END