Car rental collection issue.

[Bambambeano]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Currently living in Virginia. I rented a car back in 2003 from Sixt car rental on a U.S. Army base. I had a friend return the car for me but wrecked it in the process. They told him he would receive a bill and thats what he told me. Shortly afterwards I was deployed to Iraq for 15 months. Come back to Germany to find a collections letter for $23,000. At this time it was Hurst collections. Years later I am living in Virginia and the dept has been sent to Hamilton Accounts and about every 6 months or so I receive the same generic letter saying I need to pay the collection.

About 6 months ago I sent them a letter asking them to verify the dept and asking for documents. I sent it certified and they sent me back a ground mail letter saying that the dept was valid with NO accompanying documents.

I can't find(and don't even know where else to look) for the statute of limitations for something like this. Also, should I call Equifax or someone like that and tell them that I want to dispute the collection to see if they even have the proper documents to collect on this dept? I'm not sure what the next course of action is.