Got a call from this number, called me by name and asked if I knew our neighbor and called his name. I said yes, he asked if I had their phone number and if I knew whether he was still working. Said he was an old friend, which I was a bit leary of the whole situation. I told him I didn't have their phone number or whether or not he was working. He thanked me and hung up. Don't know how he got our name or number, but I guess you can get that through public records in our county.
I believe this was a debt collector, but unsure. She actually called asking about my brother, and somewhat acted like she knew him. She was asking for his address and phone number(s). It seemed sneaky, she never said she was a debt collector, but I'm almost certain she was. Not sure how she got my number.
Caller claimed to be with a debt collection agency and threatened that my case would be going to court in 2 days if I didn't pay now over the phone. The collection was a medical bill that I paid off a year and a half ago. I asked her to send me information and she said she would, but I never received an email to verify or contend her claims. She was very insistent that I pay in full or set up a payment plan (several times) while I spoke with her.
No one goes to court in "2 days". You have to be properly served with the complaint. Then you usually have 20 to 30 days to respond to the complaint. The paperwork goes back and forth for months before you even get close to a court date. This is nothing more than a debt collection extortion scam. Do not pay them one red cent.
It is incumbent upon them under the law to prove that the debt exists and that you owe it, and (this is the important part) 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.
First, you should make a complaint at this Federal Agency, and while there you should also read up on how debt collection is supposed to work as well as what your rights in this matter are: 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