855-230-2512

I got a call from this number at my brother job asking for me. My brother called me letting me know to call them. Did that, and it was a recorded line and so it sent me to a representative and asked for my case number and I gave that and she sent me to a man. And his name was Mr. Mahoney and telling me that I owed a bank since 2010. Didn't understand the first time so I told him to explain it to me again. He said he couldn't give out to much information because I'm a defendant and told me a little and I was like ok sir thank you. (Thinking like ok, maybe I need to go to the department to talk to a police or ask my court stuff..I was freaking out like what is going on) then he was like ok.. So your not gonna ask about your court date and I was like no sir I apologize. Wouldn't give me the court date or what's so ever. And was like thanks.. I have your recorded and I'll send this to the court. You have a nice day.. First of all!!!!! Never got a court notice sent to the mail. Such a scam!!!!!!!!!!

This number belongs to Smith Reed and Associates, a law firm trying to get money from past debtors.

I wonder if this is a REAL attorney group.  Did you know it is illegal to represent yourself as one if you are not??  The same goes for law enforcement personal.  If they call again, ask for their bar number/license & the states they can practice in.

That name does NOT come up in a search.  This sounds like a bottom feeding debt collector.

Are they legit
.or a scam...should a person needs notified by mail.

A phone call, email or text message from a supposed debt collector is not legally sufficient evidence of debt.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) includes statements such as this:

* Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.   ["Written" means snailmailed ... not emailed or texted]

Source:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

Therefore, if that caller wants you to pay immediately, before you get the written validation notice via snailmail, or if the caller wants payment via green dot, Western Union, or other untraceable means, then the call is definitely not legitimate.

IF you wish to communicate with the supposed collector / creditor, visit  the following page, for example "Action Letters" to snailmail:
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/debtcollection/

If you KNOW you owe no money, or believe the call was from a fake debt collector, please take the time to read this:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

Ok my question is I got a call from Smith and Reed associates.  They told me I was scheduled for court. And that I could pay a settlement to avoid courr. They call the day before all this is being held against me. They emailed me a letter a validation. How do I know if this real or a scam? Please help

And I don't believe I received any documentation by mail slim

Did you ever figure out if it was a scam or a legitimate place?

Neither phone, fax or email are legal proof of debt owed. As per the FDCPA, they must send it via USPS mail.

https://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassi ... ou-need-to-know
See Residents post here also:
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-34af6a034ba34b6/unending-collection-calls
Templates of Letters:
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-319-242-7350

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

And see:
http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/alerts/nationwide-debt-association.htm
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http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety
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http://www.ic3.gov/media/2014/140627.aspx
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https://800notes.com/forum/ta-944ec1426a8bcbb ... service-attacks
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http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/ ... r-phones/ndF4c/
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http://www.net-security.org/article.php?id=1828
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https://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad ... 077595690349410
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http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-b95e185ca7ca356 ... debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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http://www.fdcpa.me/fake-process-server-injunction/
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https://800notes.com/forum/ta-9413b3202bc8b6c ... net%27s-tactics
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http://dfi.wa.gov/consumers/alerts/cashnet-payday.htm
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http://www.cashnetusa.com/consumer-notices
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To File complaints FDCPA/TCPA violations:
Your State Attorney General
Their State Attorney general
www.naag.org (you can find your state AG at this link).
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/state-state-guide
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/recording-phone-calls-and-conversations
Also with the BBB and follow completely through with it.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/haunted-phantom-debt
Seek a FDCPA/TCPA Attorney if need be.

Some Tips:
*Keep all messages
*Take a picture of your Caller ID
*Keep any and all conversations recorded to your states recording laws, some require they be told, others do not. This can be transferred to a recording device.
*Keep a notebook handy for writing time,date, who you spoke with and what the conversation detailed.
http://www.insideedition.com/investigative/93 ... debt-collectors

For Extortion Scam Operations,  File reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,CFB,FTC & FCC..  Emails can be attached to complaints filed with IC3, the cyber crimes division of the FBI.

http://www.nw3c.org/
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
http://www.fraud.org/
http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html
Tip off FBI about this extortion attempt by filing form at: stips.fbi.gov/
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/haunted-phantom-debt

Also see here:
https://800notes.com/arts/I2neMkbUAAo/where-to-report-phone-crime
https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/fraudaware ... and-answer.html