Same thing here. The guy I spoke to was an absolute jerk and said this debt was from just a couple of years ago but I haven't gone by that name since 2001!
I'm in Texas and I just received a call from this number on my cell phone. I didn't recognize the number, so I let it go to voice mail. The recorded message started with "Your call is very important to us, please continue holding," alternated with music. Then a woman came on the line and said "Yes, may I speak to ... " and she used a married name I haven't used in YEARS. She said "Hello?" a couple of times before realizing it was voice mail and hung up. The interesting thing is, I haven't used that last name since before I got this phone number, so it's not listed in that name. So, I'm wondering if they are cross-referencing accounts through social security numbers to find people. My ex-husband had a lot of debt, and yes he had me sign for things, so my credit was ruined also. I'm sure my social is listed on my cellphone account, since they always run a credit check when you apply for service. Is it even legal for a collection company to get your phone number and other information that way?
I generally don't ignore calls because I have really good credit and am not delinquent on any of my bills so it would never occur to me that a collector would be calling me. This hasn't always been the case though. I left my husband about 9 years ago after years of him being financially irresponsible and having my credit be flushed down the toilet time and time again. I paid what I was able to pay, being a single mom with a house full of kids, and let the rest be written off. I haven't let a single debt go bad since I've been on my own and I always stay current on everything. I missed this call because I was in the shower and I'm sure glad I did. Byron Davenport from CRA left a voicemail for me or my representative to call him back regarding some random number. Sounded suspicious so I googled it (what in the world did we ever do without internet?). I suspect that this company buys really old debt from people that now have good credit and then threaten to ruin their credit score by reporting on their credit report if they don't get $XX.XX. Hopefully this is an empty threat. From what I understand they can't do this. If this number calls again I'll follow the advice of another poster and answer my phone 'Morgue' or 'Homocide Division'.
This lady was so rude, and would tell me anything. I tried to ask questions and all she did was babble on, then told me to have my representitive call. and then hung hung. WTF.
I got a phone call from them today too and I was at work so I didn't answer my cell phone and no message was left so I ignored it. About three hours later my work phone rang and I answered it " Hell this is SJ, can I help you" and the caller hung up... I checked the # in case it was a client and I realized the caller ID read the same #... which really freaks me out because this is a new job and NO one has this #. What comes to mind is I just applied for a HBSC Orchard Bank Credit card as I'm trying to rebuild my credit after several medical bills have been turned in and I do beleive I listed my direct line on the application.. so BEWARE it seems as if applying for this type of credit card leads people straight to you! I have not spoken to anyone from this company but I'm sure that won't last long! Weird that everyone on here is getting calls today!