New case, seeking a debtor.
I Simply stated my name and that the number they are trying to reach is my new line.
They asked if I knew the debtor and I explained sorry, that I didn't.
They were polite and apologized and updated all their records to stop calling me, maybe because my name is John Wright? Lol!

>>> The truth is, the information I was provided after verifying my qualifying information was spot-on. No company that has no business calling you would have this much information. <<<

You are provably a shill.

Here is but one way a company calling you could have information about you:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Indi ... le1-823574.aspx

And that doesn't even include companies changing their privacy policies, running phishing websites, or planting trojan horse keylogging programs on your computer.  Or that are careless or just don't give a damn about your privacy in the first place.

Oh, and see this for an actual case in which US authorities actually found the perpetrator of a scam, and the type and quantity of personal information the scammer had on his victims:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/S ... le1-839135.aspx

Shill...  Nobody here is buying this story..

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."
****************************************
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.

Received voice message from a Mark Stafford. Per previous notes, chose not to speak to Mr. Stafford, instead spoke with "Director of Legal Services" who was very knowledgeable about my case and did not "fish" for information. The truth is, the information I was provided after verifying my qualifying information was spot-on. No company that has no business calling you would have this much information.  Was offered a great savings on settlement and paid in full. Received legitimate correspondence from Jacobson and Wright before and after pay off.

I dealt with this company on a case and I had to verify *some* of my information... Would YOU feel comfortable knowing there is a company out there that would divulge your personal information without knowing it was 100% you??

I have received calls from this number on cell phone number and they are also calling my mom's number. How did they get that. He asked my mother if she knew my social security number but she told him I don't get home from work until late and she isn't giving out that information. He says his name is Mark Stafford and I need to call him back at the 585-978-3687 ext 103 . He says he needs to speak to me or my attorney before he files with the Comanche county district attorney. He does sound professional but my co workers said this is a scam. if they have to ask for your social security  they are dipping for information.

Received 2 phone calls seconds apart with "Unknown caller" saying he was Mark Stafford with Jacobs, something else, and Wright and a case # saying he needed to speak to me or my attorney regarding an attempt to defraud his client and to call him at 585-978-3687 x105 before he filed with the the county district attorney.   Didn't answer either call because I figured it was a scam.  Sounded very professional.

This is a criminal extortion scam operating out of India. They are making the calls utilizing VOIP and the names of legitimate firms to make it appear the calls are originating from within the US. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting and/or buying consumers' personal identifying information from unscrupulous websites like the one you may have filled out an application with, and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.

ABC News released an investigative report on this scam a year ago:

Just recieved a call from 585-978-3687, call him self Mr Marshall with the Fedreral Goverment looking for someone by a unknown name  said her SSN had been flagged with the feds for investigation. Spoke to him just breiifly, he gave me a claim # 905637-US said it was urgent to reach her . I spoke to him briefly and told him that we had not spoken in 8 yrs then he got all beligerent  and starting talking trash to me  and hung up . I don't know hwo it was and what they wanted but someone needs to investigate. Thanks

Just received a call from this person (585-978-3687 x103) - called himself Michael Sutherland.

Saw this post and told him I knew her was a scammer and would be contacting the police - he said OK and hung up.

Mr. Frank Tedesco @ 585-978-3687 is running a phone SCAM!!!!!!!!!! Don't be fooled by his tatics. He sounds legit from his voice mails but fishes for information when you call him back. Tells a story about being an investigator for Mercer County. Stated there were two active cases from 2008.  

Warn your friends and families, especially the elderly.

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