844-230-2869

Spam call.

Melody Smith calling to say I would be served today no later than 4 and to have a valid ID ready.  I have never received any type of debt verification letter.  Do I call her back or wait to be served?

How can I verify whether or not a debt collector is legitimate?
Here are a few warning signs that could signal a debt collection scam:

The debt collector threatens you. Legitimate debt collectors probably won't claim that they'll have you arrested or claim that they or their employees are law enforcement officers.

The debt collector refuses to give you information about your debt or is trying to collect a debt you do not recognize. You have certain rights to ask a debt collector to verify the debt. You can use this sample letter to request this information. Ask for an explanation in writing before you pay.

The debt collector refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number.

The debt collector asks you for sensitive personal financial information. You should never provide anyone with your personal financial information unless you are sure they're legitimate.
If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

Ask the caller for his or her name, company, street address, telephone number, and professional license number. Many states require debt collectors to be licensed. Check the information the caller provides you with your state officials, or the state in which the debt collector holds a license. If the caller refuses or is unable to provide you with information about his company, or if you can’t verify the information he provides, do not give money to the caller or company.

Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." This notice must include:
The amount of the debt
The name of the creditor you owe
A description of certain rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, consider requesting this information in writing or seeking assistance before paying the debt to make sure the debt, and the company, are valid.

Tip: You can consider sending the collector a letter requesting the information by using one of the CFPB's sample letters. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB or you can contact your state Attorney General’s office.

Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft such as:
Charging your existing credit cards
Opening new credit card or checking accounts
Writing fraudulent checks
Taking out loans in your name

Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.

Report the call. Submit a complaint with the CFPB or get in touch with your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers.

Stop speaking with the caller.If nothing else works and you believe the calls are fraudulent, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files.

Tip: You can use this sample letter to write a letter demanding the debt collector stop contacting you. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.

Tip: If you're having trouble with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Called a few times this month, June 2016. I called back and a woman answered who was belligerent when I asked who she was. She finally identified herself as being from a company called RJ Consultants. Then I just hung up.

When I was out of town they called my cell phone. While out of town i notify callers I'm out of the office and to call my manager for orders. Now he also receives these calls asking to speak to me and he says this number is not for the person there trying to reach. They then harass him for information. Totally illegal. It's a spam call that lies and tries to scare you with words such as serving you.....fyi whenever you get served legall docs they never tell you when there going to do it....lol

You will never be warned and given a time to expect served documents.  .this is a spam.

I also got a message from a Melody Smith warning me that they will have someone at my residence in 2 days between certain times.  Funny because my mailing address and physical address are in two different states.  Thanks for advising of spam.  I thought it was too.

This is a common ploy by criminals masquerading as debt collectors who are attempting to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged, go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished, be sued, and a variety of other variations on this,  all for an alleged or nonexistent debt.  One of the tricks they use is to call your work place, friends, or relatives repeatedly in an attempt to shame you into paying.  They also use the “process server” ruse who calls and claims he is going to serve you, but then says you could avoid it by calling another number.  Please not that process servers do not ever call ahead.  That way you can’t dodge them.

Read up on your rights here and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices:  https://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general

These phone calls are ridiculous.  Months go by and don't get one.  then all of a sudden they start with the threats.  Report them on the Do Not Call Registry,  Also show up as a NC Cell # 980-201-8655

These scammers are all bark and no bite. Ignore and block them all!

This is ridiculous. Iam being harassed by these morons who are calling my old job and my family members home phone as late as 9 at night. These people are ridiculous