I too received several calls from this office.My mom received a similar call today.  It was Lydia Baker calling from (972)961-4919.  She said that there was a warrant for my arrest because of an outstanding loan from May 2010.  They had all kinds of info about me, including previous addresses and number of children, and previous emails.  When I called them they tried to say I had until 4:30 to pay with a credit or debit card or the warrant for 2 Class C Felonies would be executed.  I called the sheriffs office and explained my situation and they informed me that no such warrants existed and this is a common scam.  When I called back I talked to Lydia Baker, Mark Pritchard, Jonathan and Frank Goldstein.  I asked them for proof that this wasn't a scam and they kept going into some legal crap about my status and never once said anything about the company.  I researched the so called company "Law offices of Legal Mediation", and no company exists, even though Mark told me it was located in Dallas, Texas and they serve 36 states.

The Law Office of Legal Mediation (Lydia Baker, Monica Johnson, and others) is who is calling from this number. They will say and do anything in an attempt to get money from you, however, it's all a bluff. Yes, I know they sound scary, especially when they start threatening you with being arrested, having felony warrants, etc. But it's really all talk. If they call again, hopefully the following tips will help you out:

1. Before you answer their call or call them back, download Androrec, a FREE app available for Android (not sure about iPhone). Also, I'm in no way associated with this app, I just happen to find it useful.) Once it's installed, it'll automatically record every outgoing and incoming call.

2. You can wait for them to call you back, or you can call them. Tell the caller RIGHT AWAY that you will be recording the conversation. The trick is to have your own voice at the BEGINNING of the recording saying that you are recording the conversation.

3. Ask the collector for the name and address of the collection agency for which he or she works. Then ask him to send you written information about the debt to verify its validity.  Any legitimate debt collection agency will do this because it?s required under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

4. If the caller won?t give you this information, hang up. If a phone number is available through caller ID, report the call to your state attorney general and the FTC.

A few other things to note:

You can?t be arrested simply because you can?t afford to pay a debt. Period.

It?s against the law for debt collectors to pretend to be attorneys or falsely threaten to sue you, regardless of how they communicate ? through texts, through letters, or through phone calls.

Further, owing a debt to ANYONE is a civil matter, NOT a criminal one. A company MAY take you to court over a debt owed, but it is CIVIL court (like small claims court). This means that there is no warrant, no felony charges, etc. If a company decides to take you to court, they have to file the paperwork in the correct jurisdiction and then someone from your local sheriff?s office will serve you papers that let you know that a court date has been set, and for what time and place.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if he:

?is seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
?refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
?asks you for personal financial or sensitive information; or
?exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.

If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

?Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.?Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
?Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft ? charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
?Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate ? but you think the collector may not be ? contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
?Report the call. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

concern replies to monica johnson
24 Oct 2013
is the person who is calling threatning me with a warrant for a payday loan with Cash Net/ Pay Day Max Online.  They have called my father, sister in law, step mother, and another sister in law, neice and never once called me. Always left harrassing messages with everyone about a warrant. She explained my background check and showed no criminal fraud she also has all of my bank information from account number to routing number, email address. Actual date of loan was supposed to be10/24/13. However, they have no signatures no paperwork could not find me nor can i get any paperwork. She also stated she had my IP address for my computer and she also had an old email address. Thanks to a friend who knew that LEGAL operations are not handled over the internet nor do they give that information over the phone. She was also able to give me my social security number. PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR THIS PHONE NUMBER 972-961-4919 AND ANY PERSON CALLING FROM IT. I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THIS EVERYWHERE SO THIS LADY AND HER COMPANY MAKES NO MONEY .
Caller: The Law Office of Legal Mediation
Call Type: Debt Collector

is the person who is calling threatning me with a warrant for a payday loan with Cash Net/ Pay Day Max Online.  They have called my father, sister in law, step mother, and another sister in law, neice and never once called me. Always left harrassing messages with everyone about a warrant. She explained my background check and showed no criminal fraud she also has all of my bank information from account number to routing number, email address. Actual date of loan was supposed to be10/24/13. However, they have no signatures no paperwork could not find me nor can i get any paperwork. She also stated she had my IP address for my computer and she also had an old email address. Thanks to a friend who knew that LEGAL operations are not handled over the internet nor do they give that information over the phone. She was also able to give me my social security number. PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR THIS PHONE NUMBER 972-961-4919 AND ANY PERSON CALLING FROM IT. I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THIS EVERYWHERE SO THIS LADY AND HER COMPANY MAKES NO MONEY .
Caller: The Law Office of Legal Mediation
Call Type: Debt Collector
Reply !

Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action

Also read up on the laws and your rights:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf

And see:

http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
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http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing?
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer?s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
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A Collection Agent May Not?

Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Misrepresent Him or Herself

  A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.

Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass

  A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.

Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit

  A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.

Use Abusive or Threatening Language

  A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.

Publish a Bad Debt List

  Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.

Contact By Embarrassing Media

  A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.

Contact a Consumer at Work

  A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.

Seek Unjustifiable Amounts

  A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.

Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney

  A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.

Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request

  If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.

Communicate With Third Parties

  A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.

Bills.com FDCPA FAQ

Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:

Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?

  Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.

I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?

  No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.

A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay

  This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.
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Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans

Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010  FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

? filed under: Press Release

The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.

According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim?s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims? relatives, friends, and employers.

My mom received a similar call today.  It was Lydia Baker calling from (972)961-4919.  She said that there was a warrant for my arrest because of an outstanding loan from May 2010.  They had all kinds of info about me, including previous addresses and number of children, and previous emails.  When I called them they tried to say I had until 4:30 to pay with a credit or debit card or the warrant for 2 Class C Felonies would be executed.  I called the sheriffs office and explained my situation and they informed me that no such warrants existed and this is a common scam.  When I called back I talked to Lydia Baker, Mark Pritchard, and Frank Goldstein.  I asked them for proof that this wasn't a scam and they kept going into some legal crap about my status and never once said anything about the company.  I researched the so called company "Law offices of Legal Mediation", and no company exists, even though Mark told me it was located in Dallas, Texas and they serve 36 states.  As for the number, it is a Rockwall, Texas number, not Dallas.  They also had some of my debit card information and were fishing for more info.  Needless to say I called the bank and cancelled that card, and put a watch on that account.

Recieved a phone call from 404-334-9377 ex 312 LYDIA BAKER  is the person who is calling threatning me with a warrant for a payday loan with Cash Net/ Pay Day Max Online.  They have called my father, sister in law, step mother, and another sister in law, neice and never once called me. Always left harrassing messages with everyone about a warrant. She explained my background check and showed no criminal fraud she also has all of my bank information from account number to routing number, email address. Actual date of loan was supposed to be May 2009. However, they have no signatures no paperwork could not find me nor can i get any paperwork. She also stated she had my IP address for my computer and she also had an old email address. Thanks to my neice who knew that LEGAL operations are not handled over the internet nor do they give that information over the phone. She was also able to give me my social security number. PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR THIS PHONE NUMBER 404-334-9377 AND ANY PERSON CALLING FROM IT. I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT THIS EVERYWHERE SO THIS LADY AND HER COMPANY MAKES NO MONEY .
Caller: The Law Office of Legal Mediation
Call Type: Debt Collector
Reply !