Firstly, there is a limit in terms of time frame, upto how long a creditor can collect. So for example if there is a 4 year time frame and the creditor is reaching 3 years and 11 months, they try to talk you into making any sort of payment so you end up making even say a dollar to get them off of your back, however this renews the Statue of limitation and now the creditor can collect on you again. So beware of such tactics from credit collection companies