Jim,
That really is very odd.
It is my understanding that a debt only stays on a credit report for 7 years, 10 years if it is a judgement.
Really not an understanding, more of a *cough* my experience.
Now I have had a judgement from a Dentist office re-issued, so there may be away for them to do that.
But in your case you are totally guilt-less of this debt.
Perhaps you should talk the lawerys language and threaten law suit.
For anyone interested here is a place to get a "real" free credit report, not that crap on TV.
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp
I was able to print mine out within minutes.
Anyway, Good Luck with it Jim
Ben