877-241-4450

Was told this was the number to call about a civil complaint against me. Line was busy when I called. Phishing scam I'd assume as there is no way i am being sued.

"Well that's the last time I listen to advice on the internet."  Considering that your post is only the 2nd one in this number thread, and that the first post doesn't mention a company name or that it was a scam, then how could you have followed "wrong" advice.  Now if you truly did get a summons you should be able to tell me the legal name of the company that is suing you, their address, and the name of the attorney.  None of that is personally identifiable information so there should be no problem posting it.  After you do that, I will tell you what you need to know.

So at no time have you received anything in the mail? You see, if you owe money - you've got mail. Lots of it. Debt collection companies write you, a lot. Usually a few times a month at first. As they 'served you', they certainly know where you live. Has your mail box been eating the letters? You did get proof of debt sent to you by US Mail, didn't you?

A caller names Mark, said he needed to talk to Sherri. He said she was being sued, and it was a  civil suite.

SHILL ALERT!!!

How strange - that firm does not come up in a search.

OK.  Fine. You got served.  Now.  Want to tell us:

1.  Name of Plaintiff
2.  Name of Defendant
3.  Attorneys for the two parties
4.  Date case was filed
5.  Case number
6.  Address of the court.

You can't object because a law case is a public record.

No evidence this firm does debt collection.  Sounds to me like you work for these collectors.

A website is not substantial proof of anything. Anyone can make a website and it doesn't mean it is or isn't legit.  They should be recorded and  licensed with the state, which is public information. How about a BBB page?

To File complaints FDCPA/TCPA violations:
Your State Attorney General
Their State Attorney general
www.naag.org (you can find your state AG at this link).
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/state-state-guide
http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/recording-phone-calls-and-conversations
Also with the BBB and follow completely through with it.
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/c ... ations-1282.php
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/haunted-phantom-debt
Seek a FDCPA/TCPA Attorney if need be.
***A company must be licensed in their state as well as the one they are trying to collect in if two different states are involved.

Some Tips:
*Keep all messages
*Take a picture of your Caller ID
*Keep any and all conversations recorded to your states recording laws, some require they be told, others do not. This can be transferred to a recording device.
*Keep a notebook handy for writing time,date, who you spoke with and what the conversation detailed.
*Check your SOL for your state as well.
*Attorneys need to be licensed as a DC to collect, all DC's must be licensed in their state as well as yours if different.
http://www.insideedition.com/investigative/93 ... debt-collectors
http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/debt-collectors-list.html
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-release ... rtners-announce

Follow the steps in what you need to know here:
https://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassi ... ou-need-to-know
See Residents post here also:
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-34af6a034ba34b6/unending-collection-calls
Templates of Letters:
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-319-242-7350

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

For Extortion Scam Operations:
File reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,CFB,FTC & FCC..  Emails can be attached to complaints filed with IC3, the cyber crimes division of the FBI.

http://www.nw3c.org/
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
http://www.fraud.org/
http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html
Tip off FBI about this extortion attempt by filing form at: stips.fbi.gov/
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/haunted-phantom-debt

Also see here:
https://800notes.com/arts/I2neMkbUAAo/where-to-report-phone-crime
https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/fraudaware ... and-answer.html

And see:
http://www.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/alerts/nationwide-debt-association.htm
http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2014/140627.aspx
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-944ec1426a8bcbb ... service-attacks
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/ ... r-phones/ndF4c/
http://www.net-security.org/article.php?id=1828
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad ... 077595690349410
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-b95e185ca7ca356 ... debt-collectors
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
http://www.fdcpa.me/fake-process-server-injunction/
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-9413b3202bc8b6c ... net%27s-tactics
**************
http://6abc.com/archive/7806938/
http://dfi.wa.gov/consumers/alerts/cashnet-payday.htm
http://www.cashnetusa.com/consumer-notices
**************
Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans

Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010  FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

— filed under: Press Release

The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.

According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim’s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims’ relatives, friends, and employers.

How much do you owe?  What company was after you?  Was it an actual policeman who came to get you?

You sure you want to got with that story?   Web site does not exist.  And the .com site is a freaking HVAC Contractor, not a debt collector or a law firm.  You been sniffing Tetrafluoromethane again.  You are a Shill.  And a bad one.  And a one of the Dumbest.

So you have given us the names of two different companies, one located in California and the other located in Texas.  The company in California advertises that they do collections, and the company in Texas advertises that they do business law.  So why would a California company be using a Texas law firm who seems to only be able to practice in Texas?  Further Neal & Associates web site has only been up 8 months and they are using a privacy service to conceal their true location.

Now as to the advice you claim to have received, it obviously wasn't from any of us since you readily admitted you got it elsewhere, but yet you came here trying to degrade this web site as if we gave you the wrong information.

So, let us go over the facts shall we?  You had a utility bill which you didn't pay.  They sent you many, many statements and possibly called you about it, but you ignored all that.  So then they turned it over to a collection agency?  This Neal & Associates?  Now they of course being an upstanding debt collector called you and sent you the information on their company by US mail which had the following:

Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) 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.

So you did what?  You ignored that letter as well, never contested the debt, but also never contacted them to settle the debt, which you seem to readily admit that you owed?  So they called and called and possibly sent more letters out and you of course ignored all that.

But you admit that you were working so you had income (they served you at work, right?).  Now you are complaining that they are taking you to task for their money?

I guess I am simply not seeing the problem is here.  You ran up a bill, decided not to pay it (thus becoming a deadbeat), you ignored all the collection activity (based on what you claim was bad advice from some other web site and don't forget that free legal advice is worth every penny you paid for it), then you got served because they want their money that you readily admit that you owe them.

So sorry, no sympathy here, and even less sympathy because you want to blame us when we never gave you any advice.

I used Google Maps on that information and they are listed ! It says "Real Estate Attorney"
bennettweston.com  (214) 691-1776

No address that I can find on the website, nor a phone number.  They do not appear to be licensed attorneys.  Just debt collectors hiding behind some sort of free-lance paralegal outfit.  Scammy, to say the least.