I received a summons to respond to a $2600 debt to CitiBank via collector UniFund. I called the attorney on the notice and they were unable to tell me anything about the account except that it was opened in 2001, last payment was in 12/02 and the current balance of $2600. I have never had (and still don't) a credit card with that kind of limit. They would not forward me any information confirming that the account was mine.
Although I cannot recall ever having an account with CitiBank there was a time when I stopped paying all my bills. Two years ago I pulled my credit report and payed off every account. This one was not, and is still not, on there. I am in the state of Oregon so the SOL has not run out if this is mine as last payment was in 2002.
My question(s) are these:
- Are they required to give me proof that this is my account? If so, what is considered valid in Oregon courts?
- If that info is provided and it is mine, will they be likely to settle for a lesser amount during arbitration (required in Oregon)?
- If I file and answer and do not prevail at trial, am I responsible for their court costs/ filing fees?
- Besides just paying off what I believe to be a fraudulent account, is there any other way that I can deal with this? The attorney threatened to file a lien against my home and garnish my wages. He wouldn't accept any settlement offer and wanted the full amount immediately (which makes me even more suspicious).
Thank you in advance!

