Something else Suze Orman would suggest is to not answer any phone calls from them, don't make any promises, either.

The statute of limitations is seven years. If it's coming up on seven years that you've owed these people, they're trying one last time to get their money, even after they've written it off.

Also, after seven years, the bad mark on your credit will come off, but you have to make sure it gets taken off. That's true, too, if you pay it off.

Your credit already has a mark against it as "slow pay." I wouldn't worry about it anymore.

PS "Debtor's Prison" went out with the Pilgrims.