855-959-6251

Called my roommates uncle and left a case number and said it was about getting some forms to her. [***] tactics! Called the number and it said it was Whitelock and Associates (they are a scam debt collector!)

You need to send them a certified, return receipt debt validation (by law they have to go back to the original creditor to prove you owe the debt), cease and desist calling, or "not me" letter (this will be the best money that you have ever invested).  Also send it first class mail in case no one will sign for it.  Make a notation of that fact at the bottom of the letter.  You also need to report them to the proper agencies to which I have provided links to.  Then you need to go out and get a consumer lawyer to sue them on a contingency basis (no money out of your pocket) and let them pay you for the harassment.  If everyone did these three things, these crooks would be bankrupt and we would all be the richer for it.  Use these web sites to find an attorney in your state that will probably take the case on a contingency basis (no money out of your pocket up front):  http://www.consumeradvocates.org/
http://www.consumeradvocates.org/find-an-atto ... tates_value=All

Everything else you need to know follows including at least two agencies where you should report their criminal activities.

WHITELOCKE AND ASSOCIATES
Number threads associated with these crooks:  https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-631-7990
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-959-6251
Website says they are in California:  https://www.whitelockandassociates.com/about/
Whois indicates this website has been up for around a month as of 7/28/17:
whitelockandassociates.com
Updated 8 days ago
Domain Information
Domain:
whitelockandassociates.com
Registrar:
GODADDY.COM, LLC
Registration Date:
2017-06-07
Expiration Date:
2019-06-07
Updated Date:
2017-06-07
Status:
clientDeleteProhibited
clientRenewProhibited
clientTransferProhibited
clientUpdateProhibited
Name Servers:
ns15.domaincontrol.com
ns16.domaincontrol.com

No BBB page since they have only legally been in business for 4 months.
According to papers filed with the California Dept. of State, the head crook is Robert Franklin and they listed themselves as an “investment firm”:  https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/Document/RetrievePDF
Here is the rest of the California info:
201709610459    WHITELOCKE & ASSOCIATES LLC

Registration Date:
03/27/2017
Jurisdiction:
DELAWARE
Entity Type:
FOREIGN
Status:
ACTIVE
Agent for Service of Process:
CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY WHICH WILL DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA
AS CSC-LAWYERS INCORPORATING SERVICE (C1, 592199)
Entity Address:
25745 BARTON RD STE 426
LOMA LINDA CA 92354
Entity Mailing Address:
25745 BARTON RD STE 426
LOMA LINDA CA 92354

Not much on them at this point, but I am sure more will be added.


It is incumbent upon them under the law to prove that the debt exists and that you owe it, and 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 (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt.  It also must contains “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 letter 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.

Read up on your rights here and also make a complaint at this government site:  http://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
As well as the California AG’s Office:   http://oag.ca.gov/

How did you find out it was a scam? They called me too

These people called me and my ex husband and threatened to take our taxes and garnish our wages. I know it’s bull *hit but my ex is freaking out

If you live in a “2 party consent” state, such as California, you can sue Whitelocke & Associates  for recording all phone conversations without your knowledge. They are breaking the law.

So how do you know they're recoding calls?

Hey, LA.  There are numerous flaws in that argument.  Not all states give a private right of action for that offense, which blows that argument right out of the water.  This is why using the current federal law to sue them is the right course of action.  Now, make sure you come back with one of your circuitous arguments.

If they called you and threatened you (as many have already reported) you can sue them for that....if you can prove it.  In addition, if you can prove they recorded you without consent, knowing your in a 2-party Consent state, you can sue them.  That what you meant?

That’s exactly what I meant. Filing a lawsuit for being recorded without consent is just one additional option for some. I’m not arguing with anything BigA said. I support what he is doing on here because these crooks harassed my mother. She’s not suing them. But I’m hoping others will take action. That’s all I meant.

As a business they are required to state, under federal regulation, that the call may be recorded. In all states.
One & two party states are a vague area and are generally concerned with personal phone lines at a state level. I know this fact intimately & have used it to amusing an effect.
My primary residence is a one-party state. All calls to my personal numbers are logged & recorded. Times change. Some things don't.
The dirt-bag calling you is no different than than one that was trying to sell your grandmother snake oil. He, or she, knows exactly what they are. They're slime & they don't care.

Did you ever hear from these ppl are they real