855-824-4716

The number that called my cell phone was 855-824-4716  ext. 306 (guy by the name of Jason Baxter), had all of my personal information, home address, email in which he stated that I had a loan in 2009 that I had no clue about. I contacted the authorities and let them know I had done so. [***]!!!!!!!

I received a call from this number and the guy said he was a carrier and he would be in my area in the next 12 to 24 hour and that i needed a valid photo id to sign for a letter. I wish something would be done about these people.

i got something similar saying the same exact thing yesterday do you think its a scam...

I continue to receive calls from Mason Financial state that papers will be delivered to me...I was on the verge of setting up a payment when I read a few posts about the telephone number 855-824-4716. So I called and asked for their address so that I could formally request origional debtor info, and the guy put me on hold and never came back. I had to hang up because my break was over. I definitely believe this is a scam. I did have a PD Loan, but no where near the amout they were trying to collect!!!!

The FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf treats the INITIAL CONTACT between collector and debtor (first call, first letter, first whatever) as a special event. Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for them, the FDCPA requires collectors to provide them), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER.
Note that 3,4,5 must be done *IN WRITING* so you will need to ask an address from your collector. If s/he refuses to give you one for any reason, treat the collector like a SCAMMER.
The collector can threaten court action at initial contact but the FDCPA requires that the collector actually take you to court if the collector threatens it. Threatening court and not going through with it (coercion) is illegal.
If they say the FDCPA does not apply to them because they own your debt, the debt-owner exemption only applies to the original owner. Any 3rd party who buys the debt for the purpose of collecting debt is treated as a debt collector, i.e., ownership is irrelevant and debt buyers must obey the FDCPA as explained in this FTC Staff Opinion letter here http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/letters/arbuckle.htm 
Has the statute of limitations for your state http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html expired on your debt? If expired, don't pay.
Collectors generally have to be licensed by your state to practise (collect debt) in your state and you can find out by calling your state Attorney Generals Office. Ask if a license is required and does this collector have one. If not licensed, don't pay and file a complaint with your state AG.
Read useful debt-collection FAQs from the FTC here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm 
The debt collection process explained in plain English http://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt/fdcpa.html 
Be aware that scammers are using bought/hacked/phished loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710 
The FBI warns again http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releas ... nt-payday-loans 
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php as appropriate.

I just filed a complaint with the FTC and my state Attorney General.  Any legitimate company will have a valid address and phone number when trying to find them online, which this company does not.  In my state, it's illegal to collect debts or attempt to collect debts if you do not have a license.