In our mail on Wednesday was a collection notice addressed to me, for what looked to be a landline phone number in Southern California as I recognized the area code. This collection agency wants almost $900!

I am not worried because:

--although we lived in SoCal previously, we moved to Ohio in July 1995 (and paid all our utilities, AFAIK. We certainly didn't leave no $900 phone bill )

--Regardless, statute of limitations on an old utility bill is 7 years max

--I don't recognize the phone number as one of our old ones

--we were never contacted by the actual phone company, just this collection agency purporting to represent the phone company

--I check our credit reports every few months and there have never been any weird charges or accounts popping up

However, I am worried because:

--my name is fairly unique and have never heard of anyone else with the same name. Is someone using my name?

--the collection agency might start reporting this on my credit (which has no other blemishes) and wreak havoc until I pay

--there's little recourse for a lowly individual against an aggressive collection agency, or without hiring an aggressive attorney

I sent a certified letter denying responsibility for the bill and demanding proof that I owe the money. I found a good form letter online; the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act has all these requirements they have to follow, like they can't contact me by phone, only in writing when I request it.

Now it's time to wait and keep my fingers crossed