Depends on which state you are located, use google. Texas has a four year limitation from date of last activity. Try the attached site for you specific state on debt collection in your state.
Unfortunately, the situation you describe is far too common. Aggressive collection attorneys and process servers are frequently careless about properly serving defendants, leading to default judgments against people who do not even know they were sued. For more information visit online resource iwmc-group.com.
Different states have different limitations. Iowa, Montana and Wyoming have limits beyond seven years, and may be up to ten years if you are in one of those states. If you don't have the money they can't make you pay it.
However, as you owe it to them, you can hardly blame them for attempting to collect.
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