888-240-8081

Unidentified debt collectors will not say who they represent.  Full of bull.

I called the number back one day to see who was trying to call me. A woman named Christine answered the phone and asked for my reference number and then placed me on hold. She came back on the line and said a man named Robert was handling my case and transferred me before I could say anything else. An unhappy man named Robert answered and I explained to him that I did not know what this was regarding and that I had been transferred to him. He asked me for my name and I provided it. He asked me to confirm my date of birth. I told him that I would not confirm anything until he told me what this was regarding. Robert told me that he wasn't going to tell me anything until I confirmed who I was for legal reasons. I explained to him that I was pretty sure it was against the law for him not to identify himself and in a very rude manner he told me I was wrong and didn't know what I was talking about. He again asked me for my birth date and I again refused until he told me who he worked for, because in my mind, revealing your place of employment cannot be deemed a crime. He mumbled something quickly with "and Associates" at the end and then told me that if I didn't want to confirm my identity, then this call was over and that when I was ready to provide him the info, to call back. I said bye and haven't spoken to them since. I continue to get threatening voicemails that are vague and only say that it is important that I contact them before they take additional action against me.

same thing has been happening to me. and very rude!!  supposedly someone is filing against me! i have no idea what this is about!!

My Client, John Doe, received a phone call from a "Teresa" (which I believe was a computer generated voice.)  She claimed a "complaint" had be filed against him and in order to find out what it was regarding, he should call the "firm".

DO NOT TELL THESE PEOPLE ANYTHING.  

If they are a legitimate debt collector or law firm, under the law, they MUST identify themselves and clearly state what the call is regarding.

Also, if any sort of "complaint" is filed, you must be PERSONALLY SERVED and it is not your responsibility to give them any information about yourself, i.e. birthday, address, etc.  

Here is a summation of the situation I've been dealing with after calling this number back:

John Doe received a strange voice message from “Teresa” stating the following:

"Hi John, this message is for you, John Doe.  My name is Teresa and, uh, this message for you is very important.  What’s going on, John, is it’s in reference, uh, to a complaint.  This complaint, uh, that was forwarded to my office is stating somebody has filed a complaint against you.  In order for you to discuss this, and find out who, you will need to call the firm that’s handling this case, John, they’ll explain over the phone.  The number is 888 240 8081.  File number is *****.  Reference that when you call in.  Thank you, John."

The next day, I placed a phone call to 1(888) 240-8081 and after ringing for some time, a voice message came on saying “we are away from our desks” and I could hold for an operator.  I held, and then after a few more rings, another message said “User 2 is unavailable” and I could leave a message.  The message did not offer any identifying information about who this number is associated with.

I tried to call the number again later that day with the same result.

When someone finally answered, he said he “just worked the switchboard” and asked if I “had a reference number”.  I gave him the file number.  He then asked if I was “John Doe”.  I said “No, this is his attorney.”

He then stumbled over his words and said “Oh. Ok. Let me transfer you to Mr. Watson, the manager handling your case.”

I was then on hold for 2 minutes.  He came back on the line and said that Mr. Watson was on another call and asked if he could take a message.

I asked then what the name of the office was and for Mr. Watson’s first name.  He said “Baker & Associates” and “Robert Watson”.  I said I would hold to speak with Mr. Watson.

After holding for another 17 minutes, the line went dead.

I immediately called back and someone answered the phone “BFG & Associates”.  (rather than "Baker")  I said I was calling in regarding case number 10992.  He asked if I was John and I said I was John’s attorney.

He said he was going to transfer me to the manager “Robert Watson”.  I stated I had been holding for Mr. Watson for approximately 20 minutes and was then cut off.  

Before he was able to put me on hold, I heard the same voice (“Teresa”) from the voice mails John received.  It sounded exactly the same and used a number of the same phrases.  That makes me believe even more strongly that it is a recording or a computer generated message that was left for John.

He then put me on hold, again, for approximately 5 minutes.

He returned to the line and said Mr. Watson was on another call and would call me back if I left my number.

I gave him my name and office number and said that I wanted to make it clear that my client was not to be contacted again.  Any further correspondence regarding John Doe should be directed through my office.

After this call I research BFG & Associates and found a number of discussion groups where other people have had the same issues: uncooperative, won’t identify themselves, threatening, etc.

I doubt I will be hearing from "Mr. Watson".