Did a sheriff subpoena you? Or did you receive it in the mail?
It sounds like the statute of limitations has expired on credit card collections.
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/credit-card-s...
If it was from the court...show up on the date listed and be ready to tell the judge that the statute of limitations has expired and they can no longer collect on this debt.
If it's from a collection agency - write them a CERTIFIED letter stating the the statute of limitations for collections has expired. And then be done with it...I can't believe that a court would actually allow this...
If you have proof that you paid it - copy it and send it to the collection agency. If you have not paid it - if you pay it now - it will be on your credit report for 5 to 7 more years. I would contact an attorney for clarification on everything...but really? I would find out if it is valid first...if a sheriff delivered it to you - it's valid...if it came to you in the mail...it's a way for the collection agency to get your attention and money...
A REAL summons to court will have the date and time of your appearance...and the address of the court house as well as a raised seal with documentation proving debt owed or reason for summons...
ime-barred debt
"If a debt collector sues you to collect a time-barred debt, you can have the suit dismissed by letting the court or judge know the debt is, indeed, time-barred," according to the FTC.
This is an excerpt from the link I provided...
Debt collectors and consumer advocates, however, caution that the statute of limitations (SOL) does not prevent debt collectors from attempting to collect on debts. They just cannot successfully sue to collect the debts -- assuming the debtor shows up in court to assert his or her rights.
good luck!