Received two automated voicemails in the past week. Said she was from Law Office of Barnum and Graham, there's a case pending against me, and she needs to hear from me or my attorney today...yeah, right!
The scammer has called me twice w/ this number stating there is a case against me @ her law office of Barnum & Graham & my attorney needs to contact her. Last week the same voicemail was left from a different number & company saying the exact same thing.
Did you know it is ILLEGAL to claim to be an attorney if they are not licensed?? Give your state attorney general a call. A REAL attorney would know that is not how you handle a case.
Whenever someone tells you that they are a "lawyer", the first question you should ask is what state(s) they are registered in and their BAR number for that/those state(s). Then go to that state and check them out, contact them directly using the information in the state registration, as these crooks have been known to research real law firm names and attorney names and impersonate them.
It is incumbent upon them under the law to prove that the debt exists and that you owe it, and that they have the legal right to collect it. You are not obligated under the law to prove that you don’t owe or that it is paid.
Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked 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 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://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general