You're right. Plus if they should convince you to make any kind of payment, it can reopen the debt, even though it is no longer the same people you might have owed in the first place. If you ever get to the point financially that you want to clear a debt, you would want to pay the people who actually gave you the loan, credit account, or whatever it was that they assisted you with financially. Also, you may be able to have the debt reduced, so speak to an advisor first. Otherwise, even if you owe no debts, don't give any information over the phone, especially your name, and personal information to people you don't know, and never agree to, or with anything they say..
Bottom scum feeder Portfolio Recovery Associates again! I never answer my phone when a number I don't recognize shows up. I let it ring until they hang up then I look the number up. Whether it is them or not, if I can't find info on the number I just block it. The last time I made the mistake of answering the phone when I was expecting a call back from a friend, I told the POS bottom scum feeder to go "mate" with himself, hung up and then blocked the number!