If you get a call from this number it is a "debt collector". They don't tell you who they are, just that you need to contact them. They do say they are a debt collector. They probably bought an old debt and are trying to collect on it. They might reach out to your family (as in my case, parents, sister, brother, ex-wife, daughter, sons, wife....but not me). This was over a debt that was 9.5 years old...after 10 years, it drops off your credit report....you make good on it....stays on your record for 3 to 5 years.
If you get a call from this number it is a "debt collector". They don't tell you who they are, just that you need to contact them. They do say they are a debt collector. They probably bought an old debt and are trying to collect on it. They might reach out to your family (as in my case, parents, sister, brother, ex-wife, daughter, sons, wife....but not me). This was over a debt that was 9.5 years old...after 10 years, it drops off your credit report....you make good on it....stays on your record for 3 to 5 years.
They use the call everyone but you routine to embarrass you into paying. Now, after 7 years it drops off your credit report, unless you have declared bankruptcy. If you make a payment, then it is again 7 years. Also, there is a statute of limitations on how long they can sue you which extends from the last date of payment. Paying on the bill will reset that clock. That clock runs from 3 years to 15 years depending on the state. So if you are going to giver advice, please know what you are talking about. Here is some information you should have and also some links to learn more:
Statute of Limitations by state: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/statut ... hart-29941.html
This is a common ploy by criminals attempting to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged, go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished, be sued, and a variety of other variations on this, all for an alleged or nonexistent debt. One of the tricks they use is to call your work place repeatedly in an attempt to shame you into paying. They also use the “process server” who calls and claims he is going to serve you, but then says you could avoid it by calling another number.
Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes. The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.
Read up on your rights here, get template letters to send and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices: http://consumerfraudreporting.org/stateattorneygenerallist.php
They just called me and wanted me to verify personal information about me without disclosing who they are and what they wanted. Needless to say I hung up and blocked number. EASY!:)