I AM IN SHOCK!!!!

[Texasgal]

I cannot believe what has just happened to me!!!

I just found out that I have a WARRANT for my arrest steming from a hot check written in... get this... 1988!! 1988!!! Yes.... you read that right!!!

I don't even remember WRITING the damn thing!!! The store that it was written to is now DEFUNCT!!! Can you believe this???

[Coventina]

1. Yikes! Do you have a lawyer?

I hope everything will be okay.

:hug:

[Texasgal]

2. My father is a lawyer...

The say they are gonna do "round-up" if I don't pay up this week, which I plan on doing... I just CANNOT believe that I have had this warrant for 16 years!!

[Coventina]

3. That is crazy. If the store is closed, who are you supposed to pay?

:shrug:

[Texasgal]

4. The fucking STATE!!!

I don't even remember writing the damn thing!

[radwriter0555]

7. You need to do the research on the legality of this. I know that as far as

credit reporting goes, in cases older than 7 years, the 'defense' has to have proof that the debt is yours. It would seem that the state should also have to prove its case.

Also check the statute of limitations by all means. It's highly likely that this is far, far past the statute and that the debt collector is just gambling on a hope that you'll pay up.

Claim you DID NOT write a bad check to anyone EVER. That's your story and stick to it from the very beginning. Deny even shopping at the place. Claim your purse was stolen and you remember some problems with some checks being written off your account.

[Texasgal]

10. They claim they have the actual check...

They said they can do a handwriting sample... :eyes:

[radwriter0555]

13. Who is making this claim? The state or a collection agency?

Is it really the state, or someone 'representing' the state.

And how much is it for?

[radwriter0555]

16. Okay. Here it is. This is a scam. The state would never collect a debt

for a now defunct store. The scammers chose a defunct store so you couldn't contact them and contest it.

Tell them you need a copy of the check to send your lawyer.

You'll never hear from them again.

I cannot believe there is an arrest warrant out for you. Call your local police station and ask them if this is true; they can check. I will bet big bucks there is no such thing.

[Texasgal]

20. The county is who I contacted...

My name is even on their website.

I am still in shock....

[Texasgal]

19. It's the state...

Writing a hot check for under a certain amount is considered a misdemeanor here.

The check originally was for 60.00... with the "interest" it's up to 262.00 now... :(

[LostinVA]

32. Agreed -- who told you there's a warrant?

You don't pay the STATE debts you owe someone else...

[djeseru]

5. Unbelievable.

And I bet they really had to dig to find this one too. x(

You may want to ask if they have anymore hidden surprises when you go to pay it off. That's just so wrong, giving you such short notice on something that dated.

[Shell Beau]

6. Was it a crazy amount?

That is such BS!! I mean, 1988? I was in elementary!!! Crazy!

[Crazy Dave]

8. Don't they need to show proof?

Could have been someone with the same name. Plus there's statutes of limitation but I'm sure they vary from state to state. My ex wife still get pre-approved credit cards with my last name, runs up the bills and never pays them. They always come after and threaten me with lawsuits which I guess is because I have an income and she doesn't. They never even mess with her and eventually write it off as a loss.

[Jim__]

9. Did your father say anything about the statute of limitations?

I'm surprised they could still charge you with anything. If they can't legally charge you, don't pay it.

[Texasgal]

21. Just spoke with Dad..

He says, that as long as a warrant has been active there is no limitation. The warrant apparently was issued in 1988 and has never been dropped.

[Jim__]

23. That's too bad!

I thought that might be an out.

[Dangerously Amused]

11. Please check your PM.

[Dangerously Amused]

12. Another thought.

This sounds EXACTLY like a recent scam going around. They hit me, too, and they would not take a credit card payment, wanted only a check. (I didn't fall for it, but I made them talk a lot.) They claim some old debt or missed credit card payment, and threaten prosecution and/or jail. They are very aggressive. Call their bluff. Tell them you will send them the money AFTER they send you a copy of the check. I can almost guarantee you will never hear from them again.


There was a thread on this scam awhile back. I wish I had a link to it for you.

[radwriter0555]

14. Yes, this definitely sounds like a scam. I can't imagine the state going

after anyone for a few lousy dollars.

And why would this be the state's responsibility to collect a debt for a now defunct store?

FISHY FISHY FISHY.

[Texasgal]

22. No...No...

They want me to go to the COUTHOUSE to pay the fine and clear my name!

Travis county is who I spoke with, I am even on their website!! This is "warrant" round up time, where they come and get all of us criminals! :sarcasm:

[faithnotgreed]

40. make sure to smile like ole tom in your arrest photo

good luck tg

im sure youll get some nice duers to visit you at the rock

[AirmensMom]

15. That's unbelievable!

Are you sure it's not a mistake?

I hope it gets straightened out. Keep us posted, OK?

:hug:

[rug]

17. That happened to me when I applied for admission to the NY Bar.

I had a 15 year old bench warrant for not appearing on a turnstile-jumping ticket (Theft of Service - subway).

I was actually getting some certificates of disposition for some demonstration-related arrests when this thing popped up.

Though I had a momentary urge to bolt (old habits die hard), I thought, screw it, how are they ever going to prove it?

I brought it down to a courtroom in the building where they processed dozens of "quality-of life" arrests. This was in Giuliani's heyday. The judge glanced at the ticket, glanced at me, and dismissed the case.

You should beat this one.

[WolverineDG]

18. Check with your lawyer dad

about the statute of limitations on hot checks, as well as whether the DA is going to pursue a case almost 20 years old!

Also, slander of credit is still a good cause of action in Texas. Sounds like a scam to me.

dg

[GOPisEvil]

24. Hmph! I don't even know you anymore!

You! A scofflaw! A common criminal!

:P

I hope you get it taken care of soon. :D

[Texasgal]

33. No Kiddin'

A criminal from 1988!!!

I don't even know me anymore!!! :cry:

[jukes]

25. no complainant will show up

since store is closed.

"Case dismissed."

[XemaSab]

26. Wow

That's sort of like the 1300 fine I got for a fix-it ticket. :eyes:

[Kerrytravelers]

27. I recently recived a letter from a Collections Agency for a doctor's

bill from an appointment over three years ago. I had no idea who they were or what it was all about. I saw that doctor a grand total of once. I had received two letters in the past telling me the insurance owed the doctor money. When I stopped by the office to check on it, I was told it was just to let me know about the insurance, but there was nothing I could do.

So suddenly, I got a notice that I didn't pay for my appointment. Well, you have to pay prior to being allowed into the examining room, so clearly I paid for the visit. I went to the doctor's office and they told me it was the insurance company not paying. So, how does that have anything to do with me? It was for a lousy $80, but with the collections agency, it was now $137. Who keeps a lousy recipet for three years?

I got some smart ass answer from the doctor's bookkeepere, so I paid the collections agency and turned them all into the Better Business Bureau and the State Attorney General's office... both of whom seemed mighty interested in my tale.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

28. Dang! That's scary as hell.

[JanMichael]

29. Hang on! You're a criminal! You deserve this!

</asshole DU response that's so prevalent these days with all the a-hole pukes posing as liberals>

[Texasgal]

35. heh heh...

yeah,your are correct.. A criminal is in your misdt!!!

[texas1928]

30. Have you had Jury duty in the last 18 years?

If you have it would have come up.

[Texasgal]

34. Yes!!!

As a matter of fact I have! this is why this is soooo damn weird!!!

[texas1928]

37. Then it should have shown up.

Hell My wife's old warrant that she took care of showed up.

[Texasgal]

38. Even the lady on the phone at travis county

was a bit freaked out....seems i have a very long WARRANT!

[LostinVA]

31. I would bet the statute of limitations is up

[calico1]

36. I don't know but it just sounds very weird to me that

the State would be after you for money you supposedly owe a private business. Makes no sense.

[Redstone]

39. No no no, it's too fucking weird. You don't owe the STATE any money, so

how can they collect it from you? Since when is the state in in the collection-agency business?

This is truly bizarre. Tell your dad to step up on this one, because it's awfully fishy.

Many, many years ago an attorney friend told me "Never talk to a collection agency. Never send them a cent. If you owe someone money, send it to them, not to a collection agency."

Dunno how valid his advice really was (some people did a lot of dope back then), but it makes sense to me.

Redstone

[Texasgal]

41. What I think people don;t understand about this

is that when you write a "hot" check in Texas, the amount can be a misdemeanor or a felony... I apparently have been turned into the STATE for a MISDEMEANOR!

[Redstone]

42. Aha. So I bet what your county is doing is a bit of "revenue enhancement."

I'd suggest you call your local newspaper. I bet they'd LOVE this story.

Redstone

[Texasgal]

43. Hey! That;s the best idea I have gotten all day!

THnak you redstone!!!

[Redstone]

44. I'm dead serious. Newspapers love this stuff.

Redstone

[YouthInAsia]

45. I have two warrants for unpaid parking tickets. I refuse to pay

them cuz I was NOT parked illegally and I consider it extortion.

[NV Whino]

46. When you say you are on the county website,

are you sure it's the county website? Anybody can put together an official looking website.