If they can prove that you owe it they can report it but only for seven years since it was an expense from 1999 they cannot add to your credit report now 2008 and chances are it is past the SOL for your state.  You should check though because some states have very long statues of limitations. If you find that the SOL has expired you can write the CA and tell them that you do not wish to be contacted regarding this matter and the debt is not actionable due to SOL. Once they have been informed that you do not wish to be contacted again they legally can not. They can only contact you in writing to tell you what they plan to do but they are not allowed to call you again and if they do they are in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Act and can be sued for 1,000 per violation.