Furthermore, some states prohibit a CA from continuing to collect on a debt that is beyond SOL. Your conversations offering to pay part of the debt can in some states toll the SOL. Be careful.
Once the debt is beyond the SOL, you can always send them a letter telling them you refuse to pay the debt at all. Then the CA is not allowed to contact you any longer. This is very useful, especially if they have already put the trade on your credit report, or the debt is more than 7 years delinquent, because there is nothing left that they can do to you. Since they can't do anything to your credit report, the SOL protects you from any litigation, and the FDCPA states they can't contact you once you tell them in writing that you refuse to pay, you are in the clear.

