Identity thieves, con men and bill collectors alike buy and sell your personal information. If they get nowhere with you, they will sell your information to some other thief. Don't ever give out or "confirm" ANY information over the telephone. When someone tells you that you must "confirm" your name, make them say it first. Don't let them tell you anything different. The same goes for your address. If they won't do this, they're thieves. Thieves often pretend to be a legitimate collection agency, business or organization.
Make them notify you through the mail. If they won't do this, they're thieves. How do I know all of this stuff? I worked for a legitimate collection agency one summer. Not some get-rich-quick con man. I fully expect others to post here to try to argue with me. Ignore them, they are the thieves I am warning you of. If something doesn't sound right, just hang up.
Legitimate bill collectors can be negotiated with. If you come to an agreement, demand that they first send it in writing to you through the mail, along with verification of a legitimate debt, as the law requires. Never send them anything in writing. They don't need to require this if they're legitimate. Never agree to anything which makes you pay money first. Never turn over control of your computer to anyone. Never push buttons or leave messages. Never believe anyone who threatens you with arrest. NEVER give out card numbers or check routing and account numbers. Always use money orders. Don't mail payments to PO boxes. Legitimate people aren't afraid to provide an office address.
Thieves and con men are aware of this website. They have been posting here (800notes) to create confusion. They usually tell stories about how hard it was to get rid of them, how they were threatened, or tell of different things that they say worked. Good businesses don't do this. Don't bother to threaten thieves, they think it's funny.
You can help your entire community by doing what I did. Contact your local TV station and tell them about this website, so that they can share it with their viewers and help stop thievery.