Got a message from my employer that this company is a law firm and there not is a collection agency. Harassing me on the phone for a credit.card debt and they will not settle for payment arrangements. Also this phone number is a cel number not a business line. They want to garnish seven hundred dollars from my pay which is illegal. Garnishment is twenty five percent of your pay. I didn'5 get any form of documentation through mail nor a date at court. That would be the first step before garnishing any money from you.
The worst ones will claim otherwise, but debt collection lawyers are defined as debt collectors by the FTC. They are no more immune to the FDCPA than simple collection agencies. The very worst "lawyers" in this game have never been to a bar exam.
Whether you are called a debtor or some collector thinks you can flush one out, you have rights and options. Many are simple to exercise if you only learn how. The FTC and the CFPB can start you on your homework. See also if your state laws grant additional or stronger rights.
official FTC guidance and staff opinions on the FDCPA, PDF copy of the Act
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
CFPB reiteration of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/guidance/supervision/manual/fdcpa-narrative/