I need some to please help me. A local hospital that I went to back in 2001 never sent me a bill for the services. Then just last year a get a letter from a collection agency/law office for the amounts. I paid the bills because they were mine. Then just yesterdy when my credit was pulled I found out that the hospital had originally sold the accounts to two collection agencies. The one I paid does not report to the credit agencies but the other one which is the one that never even sent me a letter either does report. When I explained to them that I had already paid another agency, they didn't care called me a dead beat loser and said I needed to pay them. I then called the hospital and they said that even though I had paid the one agency it did not matter because they stilled showed the accounts unpaid. I was told the agency I paid had bought the accounts and that the account at the hospital will always show a outstanding balance. I was also told by the hospital that the account will end up at another collection agency. I have done collections and the what they are doing makes no since. Not to mention the one agency that reports to credit bureaus also said they had accounts in my name from 1994. They want me to pay for those now also. I told them if you wanted payment then you should have sent a bill back in 1994. I have lived at the same address for 8 years now. It's not like they couldn't find me. I need to know what the law is on how many years before they can no longer try to collect. I have been told 3 years, 5 years, and 7 years. I live in Virginia. Can some one please help me.
Thank you

