I called the bank and they said they had sold it to another debt collector and they gave me the real debt collector's phone number. It is a scam, I called the FTC and filed a complaint.

Wow, so I got a frantic call from my mom saying she got a call from this number and they are taking me to court and for me to call back to (855) 309-2238 with a case number. I call the number and they answer as "Corporate Office." I explain and they said it was from an account I had with 5/3 Bank which on another note please never bank with them. I tell him I never got anything in the mail and I always update my address. He gave me an address where I lived 6 years ago. He said you can either pay now or go to court in 30 days. I told him I would call him back because I was at a friend's house. When I got home the first thing I did was google him and his number. He said he was Brian Lawson from Lincoln Associates. His call back number was (322) 302-4748 but when I dialed it was invalid, so I called the previous number again. He gave me the company address as 633 west 5th street in Los Angeles , Ca 90071 in the U.S. Bank Tower. He said, "you can even google it and it's a real address." Who says that? He started using all this legal mambo jumbo when I asked him for his professional license number, which they are required to give. He said they are a mediation firm and this and that. When I asked him to send everything in writing he asked for an email. I said, "no, don't email it mail it" but he said by the time I got it it would be too late and would already have a court summons. I told him oh well and would just take my chances.

Received call from ignorant "representative" asking for my 7 year old daughter. FRAUD!

Did they even stop by your house with papers. Were they legit?

HAS ANYONE RECEIVED ANY SUMMONS OR SUED AFTER THEY HAVE CALLED AND INFORMED THEM?? I JUST GOT THE SAME CALL TO MY DAD'S BUSINESS AND THEY SENT ME AN EMAIL FOR A PAYMENT PLAN AND SAID I WILL HAVE BEEN SERVED A SUMMONS ON MONDAY AND WILL HAVE HAD TO PAY 1500 IN COURT COSTS AFTER I OWE THEM $602.20 for a old bank account

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

same experience.  said I owed a bank money.  bank (I called immediately) says no way -- no debt.  threatened "further action" and said they would be delivering documents...I've asked for written verification.  Nothing.  ready to go to the feds.

Got a call from this guy today he referenced a lawsuit against me. He called my mom and asked for me by name. Scary scammers.

Please Be aware Of This Fraudulent Co
The Lincoln Group
US Bank Tower
633 West Fifth Street Suite 2800 Los Angeles, CA 90071
Brian Lawson
Case Manager
Direct   #323-443-1654  # 323-302-4748 Ext 308 Fax # 323-313-0956
They Change Phone ##### So They Would Not Be Traced

I Received A Call From Brian Lawson
As of March 21, 2014 The Lincoln Group, is prepared to accept compromise agreement in the amount of $1,000.00 satisfy any and all obligation pertaining to the above mentioned matter. The stipulation agreement is as follows: $1,000.00 to be paid by 03/28/2014, in full. Once balance has been paid in full, then this will complete the settlement agreement.


Case Manager
Direct # 323-302-4748 Ext 308 Fax # 323-313-0956

Just got the call, Scared me for a minute, then I realized it's the same people that were hitting me up last year. Also the same guy Brian Lawson.  Gave me a name of the company ( no business license number) gave me a physical address 633 W 5th St, Los Angeles, 90071. Same stuff about having sent notices ( which I haven't received) I got a case number from him saying it's filed in the San Bernardino County, Going to look into that shortly, Also said they were going to come to my house today to serve me with paperwork. We'll see.

Update on this: This number 844-767-8544, calling themselves the Lincoln Group (and claiming to be at this physical address: 633 West Fifth Street Suite 2800, Los Angeles, CA 90071), called my ex-mother in law about some Wells Fargo account from 5 years ago they claimed I owe $600 on. They said they'd been sending correspondence to an address in Los Angeles I haven't lived at since 2009. Wells Fargo doesn't have this case info but they said if real, it would've been sold since then. The guy on the phone refused to send me anything in the mail over before I talk about a payment plan. (They had the last four digits of my SSN), saying they've complied on their part. They've sent me an email with a payment plan I need to agree to by 3/17. They said they had a "temporary hearing" scheduled for April 10. I have no recollection of this debt or overbalance, and cannot find it on my credit report. There is a great free legal help side, Avvo.com, where you can post questions and get great answers very quickly - every attorney who answered said it sounded like a scam. I've searched Los Angeles county websites for evidence of the case file they provided, and found nothing.

So I'm simply doing nothing. It sounds like BS, but if real, they will have to serve me properly.

They called my dad and asked for me specifically.  Gave my dad a case number and phone number to call back - told him there will be legal proceedings they would prosecute me as far as they could go. Called the number back the Brandon answered the phone told him the case number. Then he told me the my name. I said ok you know me how. The guy said he had my number and address if he had my number then why didn't they call me direct not my dad. Then I got him so mad that he said that he was going to charge me 125 buck for every right answer he could give me. He got one question right not both. Then he told me that will be another 250 buck added on to the bill. Also got so mad that he wouldn't tell me what the case was about LOL. Plus if it was somebody that would collect money from you. There phone don't have people laughing in the back round and there phone won't make buzzing screeching sounds and also wont have an echo sound of what you were saying to the person.  This guy is a joke  
# was 8447678544

These people have called extended family that I haven't spoken to in YEARS... They call from a 909 number and leave this 844 number as a call back and yes it's an automated lady that talks ... SCAM!!!!!!!!!!@!

These people have been calling my family and friends!! Scam!!

Was anyone able to determine if calls from this number are indeed a scam?

This number called my ex-mother in law about some Wells Fargo account from 5 years ago they claimed I owe $600 on. They said they'd been sending correspondence to an address I haven't lived at since 2008. Wells Fargo doesn't have this case info but they said if real, it would've been sold since then. Anyone else able to confirm any details?

They called from 951-471-7243 and said tocall 844-767-8544.  This is a SCAM! Be careful!

They called my dad and asked for me specifically.  Gave my dad a case number and phone number to call back - told him there will be legal proceedings and they can move forward without my presence.  Scared my dad.  Horrible people - pretty sure it is a scam.

Omg they just call me like 10 min saying that I have a law suit against me. What do I do. Is this bogus or what I'm kinda scared cause they also called my work

Once again receiving bogus calls this time from an automated female voice about a complaint ready to be filed. No one was available to take my call when I returned the call. When I find out who this is they will end up in a court of law with all of their little scamming friends.