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They call themselves Al & Associates. They say they are a law firm who contacted me regarding a debt because other collection agencies couldn't reach me. When I asked them to just mail or email the proof of the debt to me, they got belligerent saying that they couldn't because it's a lawsuit. I think the person who called me said her name was Amanda.

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They say they are a law firm

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.  They will make excuses as to why they can't give you that information.

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because other collection agencies couldn't reach me.

And they were the only ones?  So very hard to believe that no other collection agency could skip trace you.

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When I asked them to just mail or email the proof of the debt to me, they got belligerent saying that they couldn't because it's a lawsuit.

Yeah, they couldn't because it doesn't exist.  Lawsuits are public record.  You can check that out with your local courthouse.

  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 complaints with the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.

I filed a complaint with the state, the feds, and the BBB, and I checked the clerk of the court and saw that there are no court cases in my name. Hopefully my complaint and possibly the complaints of others will spark an investigation to see who is behind this.

They are listed with the BBB so thanks for that heads up!  I'll see what else I can find on them.  They are a criminal outfit in western New York which is known for being the world's #1 capital for crooks pretending the be debt collectors.  Guess they have an over abundance of scum in that area?  Don't forget to notify the NY AG as well.

Since you said that they are out of West NY, it made me do some Googling. Is the company actually called Allen & Associates out of Mineola, NY? If so, I see a lot of complaints and a few lawsuits regarding this company. It looks like the AG Ms James has had run ins with the person who runs it if I am reading the correct sources. Would you mind if I posted links to the news stories that I found to see if this is the same company?

No, that is not what I found.  I will try to produce a report on them in the next couple of days.  Then you will have the correct information to both report them and sue them.

I had came back to see if you had updated anything regarding them. I see a website from 2014 has reemerged with the name Allen & Associates. It redirects from Spriull & Associates. They're covering their tracks it seems like. Maybe the AGs and the BBB have contacted them. The address shows an address out of Delaware. I can't wait to see what you find.
Here is a link to the website.
https://allenandassociate.com/

Hi, I was just seeing if you have had time to find the correct information. They called me from different numbers this time with the same script but a different company name and still refuse to verify the debt. Whenever I block a number, they use another one.