called said asked if I knew a particular person and when I asked them why they said he gave them my number. I said I don't believe that, they said they have "legal documents" to serve him and will I take a message. I said no, and don't call again. and of course -she made some line of [***] and then hung up on me.
[***].
Never let bullies on the phone confuse extortion with debt collection. Honest debt collectors do not typically send their claims straight to a judge, and they don't take your ransom money to broker quick deals with so-called "process servers". There are no secretive "arbitrators", "mediators", or "prelitigation specialists", only sweaty criminals with a script full of bullying remarks. Lawful debt collection is a process, not an ambush, and you are due a chance at each stage to raise a dispute. The agents' horrid threats are empty and their conduct is illegal. Do not reward lawbreakers with your money. Challenge them always, sue them if you can.
FTC and CFPB material on US federal collection law:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... debt-collection
See also this FTC alert: "Fake Debt Collectors"
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors