Overseas debt collection -- US collection agency, Norwegian bank

[flier10]

I was contacted by a US collection agency in regards to a unsecured debt of $32000, that was taken out 12 years ago in Norway. There has been no activity on this loan for 11 years. I do not know if this has gone through the Norwegian court system. I am a US citizen residing in TN. I worked for a few years in Norway back then and took out a $13000 personal loan from a Norwegian bank. I was laid of and moved back to the US. I was unable to pay this back, and now need to now if they can pursue me in the US.
Please help...

[Lexus]

Generally any debts should be collected before the limitation period starts. From the facts it could understand that the debt is time barred. 12 years have been lapsed after taking the loan; the bank should have taken forfeiture proceedings with in the limitation period.If the Bank had taken any legal steps ,then you might have received summon from court.You just inquire whether the court had sent any papers to your Norwegian address.It seems that the Bank cannot purse a suit for unsecured debt at this juncture,if they had not initiated any legal steps earlier. It is also advised that you may consult with a Civil Attorney who can give you a valid legal opinion in this regard.