The fact that they didn't give a name is illegal and should make you very suspicious. Don't acknowledge any debt via phone. Demand written verified proof sent via USPS. That usually shuts down the scammers. Read the FTC's advice on differentiating between real and fake debt collectors as well as how to handle real debt collectors. Enjoy reading about the woman who won an $82 million settlement from a harassing debt collector.
Your rights (what a debt collector can and cannot do).
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
How to tell a real from a fake debt collector:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
Woman awarded 82 million dollars for malicious prosecution by a debt collector
http://kcur.org/post/jury-awards-kc-woman-83-million-debt-collection-case
Prerecorded message, I will be pursued at my work and residence locations - pre-trial something or other and please call their legal department now to avoid further legal action. I suspect a scam - different recording / different number than I've received in the past. Likely due to blocking the other one(s).
This number called our law firm for a Michael somebody stating something about pursuing legal action and a pre-trial of some sort. I pushed 0 to get to the legal department but it went to voicemail. We don't have a Michael in our office.
The fact that they didn't give a name is illegal and should make you very suspicious. Don't acknowledge any debt via phone. Demand written verified proof sent via USPS. That usually shuts down the scammers. Read the FTC's advice on differentiating between real and fake debt collectors as well as how to handle real debt collectors. Enjoy reading about the woman who won an $82 million settlement from a harassing debt collector.
Your rights (what a debt collector can and cannot do).
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
How to tell a real from a fake debt collector:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
Woman awarded 82 million dollars for malicious prosecution by a debt collector
http://kcur.org/post/jury-awards-kc-woman-83-million-debt-collection-case
Almost certainly a scam. Possibly from India or Pakistan. They might threaten you with arrest and so forth, which is a total scam. Being in ordinary civil debt is not a crime and you cannot be arrested for it.
Just because a voice on the telephone claims you owe a debt does not mean you owe it
If a voice on the telephone claims you owe a debt:
1. Demand the person give you his or her name, company name, and address
2. Demand a debt validation letter by US mail. E-mail no good.
3. Do not pay the collection agent or anyone else a DIME until the debt is validated.
Of course they won’t do this, no scammer ever will, so simply block their calls and ignore them.
If they are bothering you,
Report them:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection (Threatening arrest or criminal process in order to collect a civil debt is a clear violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act)
Also contact your local attorney general
If they continue to bother you, and you know you do not owe any money, tell them that you know this is a debt scam and that you are making a complaint to the police for extortion. You might have to yell at the scammer and talk over him or her. Once you get a copy of the police report and they call you again , just read out the file number and the name of the PD or Sheriff’s office involved. Tell them you’ll be glad to send a copy to them at whatever address the jack***es are working out of now. If you can ever find them and they are located in the US.