8505466444

To avoid any problems, if you get a call from a number you do not know, DO NOT ANSWER. Let it go to a non-personal voicemail and look up the number on here. If it is a reported scam, just block the number and report it. If it is not, and they leave no message, apprently it was not that important. If the number continues to call and leave no message, just block it to be safe, you never know.

If you do decide to call them back, block your caller id and remember:

1. NO valid debt collector, goverment officiate, police dept etc is going to leave you a message stating:

"Going to serve you at your residence or place of employment."

or

"This confidential message is to inform you that you have a legal matter pending to be filed against you within the next 24 hours.  To make your statement against this claim, which could result in garnishment or civil judgment, you must call" some random number with a fake case number...

If this was legit, don't you think they would have that info and already have been to your home?
They don't pre-warn you are being served, they just do it. If you get a case number on the call and are still concerned, call your local circuit clerk. They will be able to verify it and let you know also if they see anything else that may have been filed.

_____________________________________________________________

2. Never give any information over the phone!
Ask for verification in writing and do not CONFIRM any information either. The information they may have maybe old or out of date and they are trying to get new information to harass you further. If this is a valid debt, they will have the correct information to submit the verification letter. Collect as much information as you can to report to the FTC or attorney general such as:
Name of rep and supervisor name and direct number
Name of company calling and physical address (no po box)
name of company that the debt is from and physical address and phone number.
By law, they have to give you this information and they have to send verification of debt in writing, not by email or phone. If they resist in giving this info, hang up and report what you have.

_______________________________________

3. To report, see the article below from 800 notes.com

https://800notes.com/arts/I2neMkbUAAo/where-to-report-phone-crime

or your local agencies

see additional thread https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-850-546-6444

I received a call on 4/1/2015 (go figure-April fools day). Same messages as above but different phone number (443-214-1140). In listening to the message he did not Identify his company but did instruct to telephone him at 850-546-6444. In reading your messages above, I decided not to call but notify my attorney and the Federal Trade Commissioner. He stated his name as Thomas (faded out the last name).

Got a call from number 423-252-1537, saying there is a legal matter pending against me and could result in garnishment or other legal action. Asked to call 850-546-6444. Must respond in 24 hrs. Same call several days ago. These people call me at work and on my cell phone. Have even called my daughter on her phone, saying I missed a court date and it was imperative that I call them. This has been going on for years, looks like they would figure out, I am not giving anyone of these scammers money.

called left me a message multiple times.  "This confidential message is to inform you that you have a legal matter pending to be filed against you within the next 24 hours.  To make your statement against this claim, which could result in garnishment or civil judgment, you must call Thomas Bates at (850) 546-6444. Your Case No. is ______. For immediate assistance, please press 1."  Finally called back to see what they wanted. Complete GARBAGE. Talked to a guy named Miguel.. Who asked me what my attitude was about... I told him I had requested to be removed from his calling list 4 times. he proceeded to tell me he didn't give a F**K who I talked to, he would remove me from the list....." great thanks...

I got the similar call from a number 309 278 1829 but rest of the message is same. It looks like a spam...

I got the same phone call as well. The message details are exactly the same thing as below.
I am to call Thomas Bates at 850-546-6444. Exactly the same message. This has got to be a scam. I didn't do anything to provoke this claim. Thanks for reporting this scam and phine number on this site. I appreciate it very much.

What is a VolP number? I got the same message on my caller id.

I got the same voice message and I got a local number as well. However the number to call back was to: Thomas Bates at 850-546-6444. The case# they gave me began with 893.

I've gotten 4 of these in the past 2 weeks. From a local phone number. Says I have a legal matter pending that if not taken care of will garnish my wages or civil judgement if I don't contact them with case number 909***** in 24 hours, LOL. What a joke.

Same message as all the others..."Legal action ..."  blah blah blah.  They call from a 312 area code, which is what my cell is.  I am guessing that they spoof numbers to resemble the area code of the person they are calling (because we are more likely to answer a call from a local number).  This is a scam.  Do not fall for it.  I have been receiving these calls for 2.5 years from various callers with similar messages, but I have NEVER received a written notice/validation for anything (although I have asked).

Report and Ignore!

This is a Scam. Trying to scare you by saying there is legal actions against you. THIS IS A SCAM! Do not let them scare you, do not give them any money, do not give them any information. They are trying to rip you off!!!

This has been by far the most hilarious one I have heard in a while. First spoofing local numbers of your targets, so cute! Then, you are so ignorant that you cannot even get a live person to say your victims name and supposed "case number"? That again, hilarious. Computer inserted name and random imputed case number in a scripted message?

Why don't you just call your company Scam's R Us!
Even I could do better than that, but, then again, I have morals and respect unlike you worthless scumbags

Like Scam Hunter said, block and report

I received the same call/message today.  I'm in Nevada, sounds like a scam to me.

It is a scam.  They've called my phone MULTIPLE times in the past year, usually going months between their cluster of phone calls, asking for someone that I'm no longer in contact with.  Each time I tell them there is no one here with that name and they say they're going to remove my number from the list...until the call comes again two days later.  They're very polite with you until you ask for more information then they threaten you with more "legal" action until you call their bluff...which leads to them yelling at you and hanging up.  Total scam, but they're insanely persistent.

I just received a call from a local number saying to call the (850) number with case number 93-1xxx. It is a SCAM do not let it scare you, just ignore them! If it was a serious matter regarding the sheriffs office, you would not received a call from them, you would receive letters in the mail. Also in order for someone to file a lawsuit against you, you will be notified and/or served. Ignore the calls or better yet let them know your attorney will reach out to them to discuss this "so called claim" with them.

I also keep getting these calls. They have gone so far as to call my work and leave messages.

I received the same message regarding legal action.  I will not call it back.  Thanks to all who have posted previously.

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/

So got the exact same message word for word today says its my FINAL notice?

Sooooo the previous automated computer generated voicemails you left me the 2 weeks ago and a month ago that said those were my final notice must have been left in error? or is this my Final FINAL, definitely FINAL notice?

Gotta love scammers, they really don't use their brains sometimes for us who are wise to track them.