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

I got a very similar call 30 Jun 2014 saying that I owed $800 from a T-Mobile account that I never had from 2005, and that I could settle out of court for $400.  They then threatened to have papers served on me and have a lien on my house and car and garnish my wages.  They also said that the evidence was sealed and would not be opened until the hearing.  

A company called UNCI from phone number 855-274-8026 has contacted my family twice now about me. They called about 2 weeks ago and today. They asked my family to verify my SS number and told my family that I owed a bill and that if I didn't pay they were going to file a lawsuit against me. When I called them the first thing they wanted was for me to verify my SS number. I told them I wasn't going to do that. Then they proceeded to tell me that I owed a phone bill from many years back from some number I don't even recognize. They told me that if I didn't pay that I was going to be served papers to go to court. The bill was supposedly for $1000 and they  said that they would settle for $500 to pay off the debt. When I asked to verify all the information the lady on the phone got irritated with me and started raising her voice to me. She still didn't verify the information. I then asked again and she said I wasn't listening. The lady got angry again and raised her voice. I finally told her I didn't know what she was talking about and that she wasn't getting any money from me. She threatened saying that I was going to be served papers and arrested. I then said okay and goodbye.

They are not allowed, please see Residents post above. Consider maybe getting a call blocking device or phone.. You can google them and many are around $60.00 or so. If you can record them, do so! Follow the steps in what you need to know here:

http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
See Residents post here also:
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-34af6a034ba34b6/unending-collection-calls
Templates of Letters:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-319-242-7350

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
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

To File complaints FDCPA/TCPA violations:
Your State Attorney General
Their State Attorney general
www.naag.org (you can find your state AG at this link).
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

Daughter got a call looking for me saying" there was a complaint against me and that I will be served in an hour if I didn't call" I called and they said I owed a bill  for a telephone company and that I will have to pay something now...... Looked up online it's a scam.....,.

my in laws had gotten 2 calls looking for me. we are not sure how they found them . they told me I owe $2,500 for home phone service I never had in my name. they threated to tae me to court have me arrested and thrown in jail. the number they called from was 1-855-274-8026. no one I spoke to would tell me anything or how I can obtain proof of their allegations. they even accused my husband of do this to me.  I cant believe people like this are even allowed to do this to other legally. I don't do scare tactics or threats too well and I ended up cussing them mofos out. they then proceeded to call my cell phone back. I and my husband refused to answer. they lack in customer service skills.

Got a call from my sister, she told me a company named UNCI called looking for for me and if I didn't call back they were gonna have me served....So I call the number. Answering service to press 0 for operator. ..press 0...answering machine for operator....
I'm just pissed off that they called my family..

the number they called me from was 855 274 8026

"""rip off """"don't believe them they said they're from unci the guys name is rich they called me today at 5 o'clock and today is June 19th 2014

My related notes say:
UNCI Group / Consumer Locating Services / HP Financial
Riverside CA, Columbus OH
UNCIGroup.com
known for false threats of process service, spawn of notorious industry fink Wayne Lunsford

Sue them early, sue often ....

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
Whether you are called a debtor or some collector thinks you can flush one out, you have rights and options. Many are simple to exercise if you only learn how. You are entitled to proof of claim and fair treatment. If one or the other is not provided, the collection agency should *not* win your assets. You are granted control of how you are contacted, the right to dispute debt claims, and the means to sue violators at low cost. The FTC and the CFPB can start you on your homework. See also if your state laws grant additional or stronger rights.

official FTC guidance and staff opinions on the FDCPA, PDF copy of the Act
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

CFPB Q&A on debt collection practices
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... debt-collection

Saying I owed a bill in my name for an amount which I went to look on my credit report was never on there.  Did some investigation the bill and amount they were calling about was my husband's and was already paid off.  

Same thing happen to me! But different  number with letters!