213-316-6410

This person called and left a vm stating that I am being served, and when I called it went to vm?

This person identified himself as Don claiming he had a summons for a sister I haven’t spoken to in 20 years that lives across the country from me. The vm when I called doesn’t claim a particular state or county so it seems unlikely that it’s legit

Anything ever come of this number?  I just got a message from this 'DON' telling me he received a fax and is putting me on the schedule to deliver the papers at my job on Friday, April 2nd (no time mentioned).  Call back at this number, blah blah.  The number came up as SPAM 1111111111 on my caller ID.

The fake process server/location finder extortion attempt usually consists of the following:

They mention that they have received a Fax document or some sort of complaint and that there is a pending legal matter or action about to filed against you to create the sense of urgency.  They tell you that they are a “process server” and cannot give you the particulars of the case since the file is sealed. This is simply ruse to get you to call another number (often with a made-up case number) where they will ask for money to “make it go away” (this is actually the same place, they work in teams, one pretending to be the server, and the other usually pretends to be a lawyer).  They threaten to serve you at home or at work.  They tell you that if they serve you at work then they will need a supervisor, security, or HR person there as a witness, hoping that will cause you to panic over the alleged embarrassment of being served at work.  They also tell you that you will need two forms of ID.  None of which is true.  Process servers do not ever call ahead so that you can dodge them.  Process servers get paid to serve papers, nothing else.  They certainly are not going to pass up a paycheck by telling you that you can avoid being served, they are not going to give you an extra day or even a few hours to get a “stop order”.  Court documents are time sensitive and must be served within a certain amount of time.  Remember that you can always call the local courthouse to see if there really is a lawsuit that has been filed against you.

It is incumbent upon them under the law to prove that the debt exists and that you owe it, and (this is the important part) that they have the legal right to collect it.  You are not obligated under the law to prove that you don’t owe or that it is paid.  

Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes.  The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.  If and when you get that letter you should immediately send that debt validation letter by certified, return receipt mail.

First, you should make a complaint at this Federal Agency, and while there you should also read up on how debt collection is supposed to work as well as what your rights in this matter are: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Also file complaints with the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

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

Will the lawsuit also be available on record searches at the county clerk office, or would I have to definitely call?  I did several court record searches in my county, as well as the county for my employer, and the county where i lived last (15 years ago).

I can't tell you what would be available in your county courthouse.  I would suggest calling.  They must sue you in your local jurisdiction and not where you lived 15 years ago.

Thank you.  That definitely helped.  I also found this number reported as a scam several times on another site.  I also found out it's actually a landline in California.  Just FYI

Would an actual process server, if he called, identify the company he worked for?  Would he just leave his first name and thats it?

Got a voicemail from a person calling themself “Don” who addressed me with my former last name and saying I was being served at my place of employment on Friday. Also said I could call this number to reschedule being served. I have no reason to get served anything so I’m not calling or getting concerned, sounds sketchy.

I got the exact message.

I had received a call few days ago from a guy named John/Don Garcia. Same thing was said to me over the phone. So when I go ally called it went straight to answering machine. Not cook and I do not trust it!

Same experience.