My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Maryland
My situation is a little different from others I've read and I was hoping to get some insight as to what the differences means in terms of my rights and how I should proceed.
I have been contacted by a debt collector several times in the past year via letters etc. I have never responded. I am now being contacted by an attorney who's letter head states he is not licensed except to collect debts (or something like that). The last letter I received stated a court case # and now I am worried.
Background:This debt is on a small business credit card for a business which was dissolved years ago. The bank issues the card to the company with my name on it. So, they do not have my SSN it was issued under the company EIN. The company was an S corp LLC if I remeber correctly. It was created by my Ex so that both of us could use it for our side businesses that we were involved in. I was managing promotions/events for a new beverage company that never really took off. I used the card for both personal charges and business.
So, they are now coming after me b/c my name is listed on the card. Nothing is on my credit report YET thank goodness! I figured it is b/c this is in the company name. Howver, in essence, the debt is mine. I know I should not have ignored it for so longbut that's another story and I am not here to make excuses for myself. I was paying it off until about 1 year ago when the charges got outrageous and I couldn't afford to even pay my college loans anymore. So, I know I am not protected under the SOL - if I ever was being that it is a business card.
Can I still ask for validation of debt? Should I? I don't want to even talk to them and risk stating that it's my debt if there is a way around this. Will this come back to my Ex even thought the company dissolved - I don't want to do that to him either. Or, should I just call and see if I can pay them off in installments?? I don't have the money to pay it all at once.
Any ideas or advise would be appreciated. Thank you!!

