240-318-1384

Didn't specify who they were, The female voice said that there were several cases pending against me at that they would be contacting my local government if I didn't call that number back. Gave a reference number that was given by an automated voice. They asked me to cal 567-213-5376. I called back and its definitely someone trying to scare and scam people out of money. She wouldn't tell me who was trying to file charges against me and she repeated an address that I haven't lived at in over 15 years. She said that it was unsettled debt from a payday loan. I told her I've never had a payday loan and I wasn't going to pay anything. I agreed this was my address and they said authorities would be at my door within the next 48 hours. I said ok. I'd answer when they get there.

Debt Extortion Scammers

The vague scare tactic message is designed to panic a victim into calling back.

Most debt collectors will use a certain amount of pressure to convince you to pay the debt. After all, they often don't get paid unless you pay. Be suspicious of a debt collector who uses an unusual amount of pressure to get you to pay immediately, particularly if they also use scare tactics to get you to pay right away. For example, a debt collector is scamming you if it :

• threatens you with a lawsuit and tells that you can avoid the lawsuit by paying right away
• Says a Process Server  or Courier is coming with papers to sign
• Threatens to call / go to your place of employment
• Insists you have been notified, served or are non-compliant via phone message(s)
• Refuses to give a company name or verifiable Contact source
• Refuses to send proof of debt via US mail

A sure sign of a debt collection scam is a collector that wants to you to pay via wire transfer or another method that can't be traced. If the payment method can't be traced, you'll have a harder time getting the authorities involved.

If the creditor sounds completely foreign, or you know you never had an account with that business, there's a chance it's a scam. Never pay a collection you don't recognize. You have the right to request written proof of the debt from the debt collector before you send payment.

https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Publications/PhonyDebtCollectionScams.asp
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/02/ftc ... llection-scheme
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/08/pha ... onate-law-firms

Quote:

Here are some ways to find out if a debt collector is legitimate.
•You received a letter in the mail. ...
•The agency is licensed in your state. ...
•The collector can verify your personal details. ...
•You can request information about the debt. ...
•There's more than one method of payment. ...
•A company works with you, not against you.

Source: https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/deb ... ctor-is-a-scam/

District Attorneys file charges not scummy, scammy, stinky, dirty, rotten low lives trying to extort money from people.

  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, email, or text (postmarked in the case of a letter) within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. Unless they have communicated it to you verbally at the beginning of your conversation.  It also must contain the “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 communication 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 communication 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