"A peaceful conscious" what? Waiting for a noun there.

Yes, bank robbery might be a thrilling way to pass the time, except that criminal charges apply .... which do not in this democratic republic apply to consumer debt. What *does* apply to consumer debt collection is a set of federal laws which prohibit the kind of insults, abuse, and false legal threats already reported to this very short thread. How are you sleeping at night knowing that more people realize they can make you pay in court for denying their rights?

it must be nice to steal from banks and have a peaceful conscious

I also received a call from a process server who "attempted" to deliver notice to me twice and was very sympathetic and gave me the name of Edward Wilson and a phone number to call (323-963-4072).  When I called I also spoke to a lady named Edith who said the debt was now up to $3,071 dollars but would settle for the original amount that was owed the creditor.
I told Edith that I didn't recall having the account she was referencing and that I wanted to talk to my attorney.  At that point she got irritated and kept persisting with "so your refusing to accept the settlement offer?"
I'm glad I read the other posts on this website because I'm more prepared for when I talk to them again and will not have to pay my attorney to fight this ridiculousness.

Sure thing .... A "cease-communication" notice is understood to be total and sweeping. No more phone calls, no letters, no email, no semaphore, nothing ... hence the term "communication". If you write essentially a "cease phone call" notice, that's something different. The distinction matters because if there is any remote chance a debtor will be found liable, cutting off all contact can force a determined creditor to sue to collect.

Per FDCPA you can specify any contact terms you like, mix 'n' match, such as:
- "Only use this phone number ..."
- "Don't use the indicated address ..."
- "Phone calls on Wednesdays are inconvenient"
- "Calls only between 10:30 AM and 03:00 PM will be accepted"

Whatever is "convenient" for you is what's legal for them. (However, terms should sound reasonable and plausible. "Only call within nine minutes of sunset on alternating Fridays in a leap year" would never qualify.) The notice can be made and remade separately, or you can insert those terms into your dispute letter ... you know, in case the agency validates. By accident I found that articulated contact terms can be ignored by an agency reliant on automated process, and thus may in$pire co$tly violation$.

I keep getting calls from this number.

You have a point.  Just to clarify... I thought the cease-comm letter still lets them communicate by US mail, and just stops them from phoning?  Perhaps you could explain since I seem to have misunderstood.

Your story may be riddled with signs of FDCPA violations. It's likely there are no "process servers" in that office, only extortionists. Severe threats and insults about your "integrity" are also illegal, not to mention hypocritical.

Assuming a domestic debt collector, I think you could shut up these goons pretty quick with a real lawsuit. Next time you're caught on the phone with collection reps, don't bother telling your tales of unemployment or claiming poverty. Those are not defenses against debt claims. Your only concern should be making the agency prove its claim or to send it packing.

Official-type material on US federal collection law:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... bt%20Collection

I support all but one of your remarks. A cease-comm and a dispute letter are mutually exclusive. If you cut off all contact, legally it will not be possible for the collector to respond with validation.

This outfit already sounds like a bunch of thugs with no proof to offer, making cease-comm a pretty safe choice.

No legitimate process server calls ahead and gives advance notice of their arrival!  They wouldn't be very successful at serving documents if they did.  The other red flag is the idiot is asking for your address.  If it was legitimate, they'd already have your correct address.  You are certainly under no obligation to assist them with their skip-tracing efforts!  

Also, check the statute of limitations for such debt in your state... the debt may be outside the SOL.  If you speak to them again, do not admit anything.  Demand that they give you their mailing address so you can send them both a certified cease-communication letter, and a letter demanding validation of the debt.  If they refuse to give you their mailing address, it's another clue that they are trying to scam you.

Don't get me wrong - I am not advocating that people not pay their debts.  I am advocating that people make sure they pay the correct and legal holder of the debt, and not get scammed.

The first lady that called said she was a Process Server and she needed to verify my address.  When I said I had no idea anyone was suing me, she acted sympathetic and gave me the phone number of the attorney that was handling the suit against me.  When I called that number, another lady told me that my $300 bad debt to Mervyns was not $2416.12 but offered to settle for $300 if I'd pay it immediately.  I explained that I lost my job in 2008 and couldn't find another one and that I was forced to retire.  After I hit 66, I began collecting Social Security, which they cannot garnish.  When I told her I couldn't pay it and she got unbelievably nasty...threatened me up one side and down the other.  She also said "it's YOUR debt and you HAVE to pay it" and "you have no integrity if you don't."
The attorney's name that was given to me was Edward Wilson but I've not been able to find an address for him.  Even Intellisus couldn't locate them so I'm inclined to believe they were from a disreputable collection agency.

They keep calling my number NEW number looking for someone. I keep telling them that there is no one here by that name.