888-231-9882

Called claiming to be a process server and that they were going to serve me court papers.  I don't owe any debts and my local courthouse has nothing on file with my name, so this is a scam.  Gave me a random "reference number"

Same on 11/16/23. Called from a local spoofing number but referenced 8 8 8- 2 3 1- 9 8 8 2.
I guess some folks fall for this. But, WRONG ONE!

Got a call also, terrible scambot, told me to call 888-231-9882.  Nope!!

Call from this number, advised that a representative would be at my home tomorrow to take a photo of my vehicle for the appraisal, and that if I had questions, to call back (gave me an 855 number-couldnt write it down) and speak to one of the attorneys. or, to press 1. I did, got some muzak, then disconnected me.  I havent a clue. I owe nothing on my car and to be honest, I think this was a scam call that malfunctioned. I normally wouldnt have pressed 1, but I was feeling a bit ornery today and really wanted someone to yell at..........

I'm not sure what your car has to do with it but this was an extortion scam.

The fake process server/location specialist scam usually contains:

They mention that they have received a Fax document or some sort of complaint and that there is a pending legal matter or action about to filed against you to create the sense of urgency.  They tell you that they are a “process server” and cannot give you the particulars of the case since the file is sealed. This is simply ruse to get you to call another number (often with a made-up case number) where they will ask for money to “make it go away” (this is actually the same place, they work in teams, one pretending to be the server, and the other usually pretends to be a lawyer).  They threaten to serve you at home or at work.  They tell you that if they serve you at work they need a supervisor, security, or HR person there as a witness, hoping that will cause you to panic over the alleged embarrassment of being served at work.  They also tell you that you will need two forms of ID.  None of which is true.  Process servers do not ever call ahead so that you can dodge them.  Process servers get paid to serve papers, nothing else.  They certainly are not going to pass up a paycheck by telling you that you can avoid being served, they are not going to give you an extra day or even a few hours to get a “stop order”.  Court documents are time sensitive and have to be served within a certain amount of time.  Remember that you can always call the local courthouse to see if there is actually a lawsuit that has been filed against you.

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 a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices:   https://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general

BigA- I appreciate the information-Thank you!

As a follow up, I received a second call, same 888-231-9882. only this time I was able to write down the call back number-855-210-7772. I did not call back nor do I intend to. Again, they referenced that they would be at my home, between 1-3 PM tomorrow, and as an option, to press 1 or call back to discuss prior to them inspecting my vehicle.

It is clearly an extortion attempt scam as you point out. There is no debt, my vehicles are old, and free and clear from title encumbrance.

I did check with the courthouse after the first call, BTW, and nothing happening there. It is just another scam. Wish they would have provided an identifying name or agency though.......while I have a couple phone numbers, not sure they would lead to actual perpetrators. Perhaps if I called the 855 number back............nope!