855-391-3264

Appears to be a scam

What "Appears to be a scam"?  Why would you take the time to post and not put anything useful or helpful in your post?

I just had this number call several of my family members and the guys name is Matt was extremely rude when I spoke with him, my calls keep getting transferred to him. They said they are a legal office in California. He hangs up on you, won’t give you direct information.

Whenever someone tells you that they are a "lawyer" or that they work for a lawyer or law firm, the first question you should ask is what state(s) they are registered in and their BAR number for that/those state(s).  Then go to that state and check them out, contact them directly using the information in the state registration, as these crooks have been known to research real law firm names and attorney names and impersonate them.

One of the tricks they use is to call your family, friends, neighbors and/or places of employment (past or present or both) to create panic and embarrassment so that their intended victim calls them so that they can scare that person into paying extortion money.  They will usually also state information that would be illegal for a real debt collector to state to department and tell them that you are a deadbeat who does not pay their bills. They often call people that have never even been a third party such as that you are being sued, that you owe money to someone, etc. They threaten that if you do not call them back, they will contact your HR associated with you because they get erroneous information off the internet.

The fake process server/location finder extortion SCAM 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, 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 a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices: https://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general

Thank you for that information. I tried to call them back, and the guy who answered argued with me and refused to give me the numbers and what state they were registered in. He said they are registered in 13 states. And was going to give me the “bar number” at the end of the phone call.

Then he should have simply given you the information for your state since they have to be registered to practice law in your state in order to sue you.

And he would not, he argued with me after several minutes about who I am, and that the number I called can’t make calls, they have 13 offices what office do I want the information too. My mom is older and was trying to get her to pay them money, and it was a whole mess.

They are trying to scam my elderly mom also. They are in for a big surprise.

Quote:

They are in for a big surprise.

What does that mean?

Maybe "Me" is actually Norman Bates.  His elderly mom would be a big surprise for a scammer.

Called about a legal matter of which they were trying to serve me with. Total BS. The 855 number they gave me won’t accept calls from a blocked number.

That's odd since it shouldn't matter.  You cannot block your information from being seen when calling a toll free number since it is transmitted via ANI and not CNUM.

Been receiving these calls for years. Continually calling family members and employer applying the sense of urgency. This call was different in that they said it was an important matter involving my property by stating “an important urgent matter regarding (my home address)”.
I used the advice from BigA like I’ve done for years.
Thanks BigA and all the others that post on this site.
I continue to post here whenever I receive these calls to get the numbers on record.

Same scam as you all have had, actually used my maiden name from 20 years ago so I laughed at her. Very urgent call 855-391-3154 and gave a “doc number” lol

They are posing as the accountant I work for! Scam!!!! They are nasty when you call them out on being liars and scammers...be aware do not give any info!!!!

This number: 855-391-3154 This lady calls and says her name is Melina Smith. She called my family member looking for me as well. She said she was with my county process service dispatch. She said there would be 2 attempts made to issue court legal documents, then she said my street name. She said if I am not going to be available to sign then to contact the litigation office immediately. She gave a  case number starting with 2023. She ended the voicemail saying my name and telling me I have been notified. TOTAL SCAM

Thank you for taking the time to type out s uch a complete response to help people. You do know what you are talking about! I have taken on credit agencies, collection agency law firms and the like because they do so many illegal things you can beat them if you know your rights!! I am not a lawyer, just a gal who once upon a time wanted to be one, and I like to read laws and collect the facts. Thank you again for your awesome post!! Keep reading everyone and don't let these rotten scammers win!

Received calls to family members and my employer today. Called back and ask what was the office name and location, was told Harrington law Los Angeles CA, was forwarded to " Heather Lawson ". SHE was giving me my personal information???? Saying she as going to serve me for 15000 dollars and they've put a lein on my car and take 25% out off my paycheck!! I said serve me at home at work.or at a restaurant.  She said you'd rather pay 1500 then 3500  I'm offering I said I'd rather see a legal document than give you 3500 dollars from a debt you say I have from 17 yrs ago. YEA COMPLETE SCAM...