While resident in the UK, an employer claims they overpaid by a handful of thousand $ due to a miscalculation that I don't agree with. This was discovered after leaving the employer and moving to California. Initially there was communication with the employer over the amount allegedly owed which differed every time there was contact. Suddenly the contact stopped and a UK debt collection agency were engaged, who were summarily dismissed as no jurisdiction. A few years later with no contact from eithe side and now a US debt collection agency is trying to collect on it, in a different US state to us. The debt has not been acknowledged and instead the DCA were asked to provide more information including whether they have the authority to collect on a foreign debt. They have ignored most of the questions and have made claims which are firstly untrue and secondly unsubstantiable (like "you said X in a phone call" - we did not do anything by phone, all by mail).
Firstly, what statute of limitations applies here? The UK, where the "debt" originated, the state in which the DCA operates, or the state in which we reside? Three different numbers (6, 5, and 4 years respectively).
Secondly, when does the SoL start from? The date of the first letter from the employer claiming they overpaid? It didn't get reset by communicating with either the employer or the DCA?
Thirdly, can this - or any other DCA - collect on a foreign debt?
We have not paid anything. It is not a student or government debt.
Thanks.