Can a collection agency harass me because of a discharged debt?

A real life debt reader wrote in and asked me:

If a company discharged a bad debt you owe can they sell it to someone else who can collect on it? In Pa, how old does a debt have to be before they can no longer come after you? I have a old debt from years ago, and now it has been given to a collection agency and I don't have the money to pay it.

My answer is that: I am afraid I cannot offer you any legal advice, but I would suggest that you call and talk with the company to whom the debt is owed (that is, not the collection agency) and talk with them about possible solutions, payment plans, or even a complete discharge of the debt. Also do read our page on your rights and what a collection agency can and can't do too.