844-798-3797

Mysterious number

Keep getting scam phone calls from this number. Keep claiming they have papers to "serve" me. Never answered them, but have discovered that area code 844 itself is not a valid area code in the united states. Anyone claiming to have papers to serve (in legal terms) they must show up in person by law.

Many of them will require you to send them a prepaid card, particularly visa or moneypak. In some cases they will ask for your credit card/debit card. Many scammers will also get you to send money by moneygram/western union. If anyone asks for financial information over the phone regarding a call simular to this don't.

Even if they ask for a small amount for example. If you get them say $5 us dollars to "receive" the paperwork, they tend to charge way more than specified on the phone.

Again, avoid these scammers, what they are doing is ILLEGAL!

All debt collectors are required by law to send you a DEBT VALIDATION. This is sent through the USPS ONLY (email, text, faxes, carrier pigeons, smoke signals...none of those count) and state when you incurred the debt, to whom you owe the original debt, and how to proceed should you not recognize the amount.
This must be sent within 5 days of the first time the company attempts to contact you.
REAL DEBT COLLECTORS SEND THIS. Scammers do not.

A few other things to know-
-You cannot be arrested for ordinary debt in the United States.
-Process servers do not call in advance. They only get paid if they deliver you papers the court (not a private company) has ordered be delivered, and if you flee, they don't get paid. Therefore, they do not call ahead of their arrival.
-Likewise, officers do not call you to tell you they will be arresting you. Why would they?

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
This link contains all the rules debt collectors must follow, and includes links where you can report criminals who choose not to follow the law.