My question involves judgment recovery in the State of:California

I need to know that statute of limitations on a court judgment in California

Here is the long story

In 2000 I was going to rent a room from a man. I gave him a deposit of $250. There was no lease agreement. I decided to not move in and let him keep the deposit. He sued me for: the cost of placing a new ad, painting the room pink (I never asked him to), and for two months rent. The first judge awarded him everything because they started chatting and it turns out they were from the same town in NY.

I appealed, the second judge did every thing he could not to laugh at the plantiff, but maybe because he felt bad for him ended up awarding him one months rent $500. I still dont get how this can happen, I never signed a lease, he kept the deposit, never lived there one night. So frustrating.

He demanded that I pay him the judgment, but decided to add $500 to the $250 he already had. (I have a tape of the court hearing that states the amount I owed). I did not have the money so he turned it over to a collection agency. They placed a levy on my account which I shared with a boyfriend. I showed up to court, they did not and the judge still ruled in their favor, which I also do not understand.

At that time, the were awarded all my money, a whole $500 which covered the cost and then some of what I owed. Since then, they have sent me notices that I still owe over $500.

This is the scandalous part and something I didnt wise up to until recently. Every once in awhile I get a "rebate" check from some company in the same city as the collection agency. I know it is them because they are the only ones that still send me mail in my maiden name and I know I am not expecting any rebates I believe that this is how they obtained my bank account information last time.

SO, my questions are: What are the statute of limitations in California for a judgment and 2. is it legal for them to try to obtain my bank account info in such a way as a "rebate" check.

THANK YOU! I will never rest until this is over with. I still get so angry with that rich old man that couldnt let it go. He kept the deposit, i never moved in, I was just profit to him.