855-817-5303

Never states what company calling from, states fed and state claim filed against me, no more detail other than constantly calls and threatens legal action.

This guy called my phone looking for my husband with the same message. If I get an unknown number, I don't answer it. I figure if they don't wan't to be identified, then I don't need to talk with them.

The message was "in regards to some sealed legal documentation" that required my signature. He said I needed to make myself available between 12pm and 5pm (this was on a Friday). He said that he was "assuming I was at work and would be stopping by there first". He also said that I would need 2 valid forms of ID and that my HR rep would need to sign off as a witness. He then left the number 855-817-5303 to call for questions ("the filing party") and gave me some case number to reference.

Searches for this number found similar numbers that had word-for-word, the same speech. This is most definitely a scam, as reported by others who fell for it. If you do answer the phone or call back, they claim they are a debt collector and demand some initial payment - to which they will apparently keep deducting from whatever means of payment you happen to give them. Don't do it.

If you were really being sued by a debt collector, you'd get official court paperwork sent to your house, certified return-receipt - or you would indeed be served at work. But nobody would call you first - and even if you were, it certainly wouldn't be from some douche with a nebulous voice mail. These are ridiculous scare tactics - and they're getting more and more brazen.

Sure they are. They know it's tax season--and they want a slice of the pie, with the ends justifying the means.

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/

I was out Saturday morning and returned to a phone message from a man saying I had to make myself available between the hours of 12-5 to sign sealed documents, and I needed 2 valid forms of ID and a witness.  And if I was at work, I needed my HR supervisor.  If I had any questions about what I was signing, I could contact "the firm" at 855-8175-303 and reference case number 7266.. (mumble mumble)

This was a scary message to receive, but the red flags were the expectation I might be at work on a Saturday, the expectation that I had to sign the forms today (what if I had been out of town for the weekend?), not giving an actual name for "the firm", the 855 number, and the garbled case reference number.  I'm grateful to be able to see on this website that it is a scam and I don't have to worry.

The exactly same thing with me, but they called my son and gave  him a number of case at the court... Yeah right !!, this is because they want your money from your refund, be careful, do not give any personal information to anybody.

First, they want to scare you into sending them money.  Check your state for the "statute of limitations" on debt.  Many states have only a 4 to 6 year statute of limitations; meaning that after that time, the alleged debt is null.  Most times these slimey collectors have old info and you can tell them to jump in the lake.
If that last pmt of the account is four to six years old (according to your state) they can do Nothing about it.  Even if they say they have court documents or that they can have you arrested.  That is a big lie!  They just want to scare some money out of you. Once you send them any money to get them off your back, (even $10), it re-sets the clock on the statute of limitations of that alleged debt and then you just hurt yourself.   Then they can sue you in a court where you live.  They Cannot sue you from another state.   ALSO, Never, never, never discuss anything on the phone.  Tell them to send it in writing and then hang up!!!!!

ID themselves as "EDS" maybe "EBS" or something like that.  Claim not to be debt collectors but "mediators".  Right.

Our experience was the same as everyone else describes here. Same phone number 855-817-5303. We don't answer calls from numbers we don't recognize but this call came through "Unavailable" anyway and my fiance was expecting a call from a visiting nurse so he answered this time. The female caller said the same things to us about sealed legal documents and needing to meet in person at our home or at his office and supplied the above phone number when we asked questions about what company she worked for (sounded like EBR) and why she was calling. They obviously knew nothing about us other than cell phone numbers and address or they would know that we are both retired and that there are no pending legal actions either on our behalf or against us. If it was certified mail, we'd have to go to the post office to sign for the package of "documents". If it was something legal, a process server would be contacting us and would clearly identify themselves as such as they are required to do upon presentation of the documents.

called for my brother and said his phone was not in service and i said it was, and stupid me gave them his number. Than said they had papers to serve him but they do not like to do at work. I texted my brother and he called them and gave them his account number. Luckily his bank changed his debit card so it did not work. He was going to give them number again but I stopped him after reading this. He said it was weird bc were going to meet with him but on eastern time and we are central. Going to report.

I got a call to my work phone number from a man named Michael Lopez who said he was on his way to my work to serve me legal papers and it was the last day to deliver them. I asked him what it was about or who it was from and he said he didn't know but to call 855-817-5303 and reference a case number. I had 20 min or he would be on his way to my work and I needed 2 forms of ID and my supervisor as a witness.  I asked him if the receptionist could be a witness and he said "nope. has to be your HR supervisor". After some back and forth about how unreasonable it is to expect someone to be available at will during work hours, he said "good luck in court" and hung up on me.

I'm an idiot and called the number he gave me to a company called EDS.  Spoke to a guy named Aaron.  He told me it was for an old installment debt (that I couldn't pay after getting laid off several years ago). We came to a payment arrangement. Gave him my debit card info and felt pretty good about taking care of it.

Then this week, I got a call on my cell phone from another process server with a similar script.  I told this guy that I already took care of it.  He said I must have other derogatory accounts because this one had not been taken care of and he gave me a different phone number to call.

I called EDS back to talk to Aaron so they could call the other guy off and while we're at it, could he provide me with documents showing who I was paying and what we agreed to, etc so I can show the other guy. He said the guy who called me was not affiliated with them. Then he transferred me to his manager.  Since I was curious about the other guy, I started asking him questions. The manager emailed me a document showing the balance and the name of the original creditor and account number.  It had 855-373-1872 on the document.

I asked him who owned the debt now.  Who is the creditor? He said they were mediators and he couldn't tell me the name of the current creditor. The only way to get those documents was through court, which I was released from. I told him I wanted that information anyway, just to make sure I was paying a legitimate debt and he says "of course its legitimate! I just sent you that form. It has everything". Told him that the fact that he wouldn't tell me who my creditor is was fishy and I wanted to see documents.

Then the craziest thing happened: I heard a guy in the background saying "This is Michael Lopez.  I am a process server and I need to deliver legal documents today".  The fake process server I talked to the first time was in the room with the manager of EDS!

I told him to cancel our payment arrangement and lets go to court. Then I hung up and they called me back a few times but I didn't answer.  I called my bank and cancelled my debit card.

I called my mortgage broker and asked him to look at my credit report and check on who owned the debt these guys were trying to collect so I could contact the creditor.  He said the account I referenced was too old to be on my credit report and I don't have ANY open collection accounts. I checked the websites for the local courts and nothing other than some old traffic tickets came up.  A process server can't just go serve you legal documents without something being filed in court.

The scare tactics were very effective on me the first time because I got caught up in avoiding being served at work and didn't have time to think clearly.  It's very embarrassing to admit to getting conned but I hope people read this and have no doubt that this is a scam.  THIS IS A SCAM. THEY WILL NOT COME TO YOUR WORK.  The fake process server is sitting next to the guy who answers the phone number he wants you to call.

Got the same call

Said I needed to pay a debt and have personal information of mine but was 10-12 years old..

I received a call from this number and he sent me an email to confirm the payment that I need to make on Thanksgiving. The email had his name of Lance Thompson as the General Manager of EDS (Expert Debt Solutions) with the same phone# of 855-817-5303 at the bottom of his signature on the email. He advised me that not paying the amount that was owed of $400 with a settlement offer of $212 would later cause me to pay over $4000 in lawyer and court fees. He advised me that not paying my credit card was showing that I was doing something illegal and committing fraud. I was concerned and unfortunately gave him my credit card to set up the payment. I'm glad I did some research and will be cancelling my card asap.