I'm relieved to read this.  I just got a message today from so called "Timothy Bradwell", threatening to come by my residence or place of employment within 24 hours.  He said he was from my county's legal division which made me think it may be legit.  After some Googling,  I now know its a scam.

Received same phone call from a different number and the man said he was a lawyer and if I didn't call him back I had better be ready to travel. This number is 866-638-1964

My son just got called from EW Pendelton and Associates.  When I called them back they told me they could not tell me what it concerned.  So I told them I told them that i could not relay the message.  The number they are using now is 1-866-638-1964.  In the message they also stated something about going to court.

I just recieved this call

I to had the call from a guy who told me he could not give me any info but that i should call EW Pendleton and Associates 1-866-638-1964 they said that i had a payday loan from advance america out of Columbus, OH from 2007 he also mentioned that i made 2 payments on the debt in 2010.  and gave me the whole spill about 15 yrs on a contract in OH etc. etc. He proceeded to speak about me filing a bankruptcy in 05  and that i accrued this debt before my case was closed in 07 so that he was gonna call my attorney to inform him that i breached my bankruptcy . What the hec .. Now since i have been a collector for 15 years i knew my rights and requested info and verified all the info i could about him and the company he was calling from..  That does not mean that i am not worried not sure what will happen but i am supposed to be served my papers on Monday.
I already called the AGs office they only have 1 report and she was not very helpful.  I just closed on a home in Sept. I dont have any debt and i dont owe any collection agency period this i made sure of .. since i still actively monitor my credit i know its not their.. Here is my theory .. I think they have old debt from companies along with all the public info they can get about you and use all to scare you..Now i done argued with some collectors in my day + i do it for a living.. I have never heard anything like this and the tatics they use would be considered illegal from a 3rd party collecting a debt.. I asked him to validate the debt and told me that it was beyond that phase and that this is right before arbitration ..  I only have a short period of time to pay it or add court and legal fees to the debt .., The amount they supposedly are tryng to get  is $200.. Get real .. What company goes thru with this for a debt under $200

I had almost the EXACT same thing happen to me today, to the "t".  I told them that the debt they were trying to collect was way past the statute of limitations.  They said they were going to serve me "papers", but were never able to verify that the debt was actually mine.  I think that they got my information from another debt that I had settled and were just trying to use scare tactics to collect.

Got a call from the 1/-866-638-1964 number saying I had an old payday loan from May 2001.  They stated that I had made a payment in September 2010 using a credit card for THIS supposed loan they were collecting.  Funny thing is, I think that I did make a payment using that credit card to settle ANOTHER old account (dumb mistake on my part since the statute of limitations is 6 years here in LA and it was WAYYYYYYY past that limitation.  My bad, but they used scare tactics saying they were going to sue me).  That old account that I settled was paid in full, but they never sent me a receipt indicating a paid in full status.  I never heard from them again, and assumed that it was all good.  Fast forward over 3 years and I get the call today.  What I think is happening is that this company (EW Pendleton & Associates) had my information and is trying to get me to settle a really old debt (that is no longer valid, since it is almost 14 years old) by using scare tactics.  I had a call from a blocked/anonymous number saying that they were a "3rd party company that was going to serve me papers soon since I was being sued in court".  They said I should call the 866 number to get more information.  First warning should have been that someone was blocking their number when calling me.  Second, this supposed "debt" appears no where on my credit report.  Third, they wanted a payment today without providing any evidence that the debt was actually valid.  Based on what others have posted here, I am pretty sure they are just using scare tactics to try and collect on super old, out of statue limitations, debts.  As for someone supposedly showing up at my house, we shall see, but based on what others have posted this is just another idle (and illegal) threat.

DId they ever show up?  I had a similar call today.

I received a call from the same "company" a little bit ago. They told me I owed late fees on a payday loan I opened back in 2002. I paid them off a few years back and the company I went through told me that there were no late fees. I called the attourney generals office for my state and they said it sounded like a scam but to go ahead and go to annualcreditreport.com to make sure. Sure enough that debt wasn't even on my record anymore.

This company has tried to get me to pay them money about 2 years ago. I asked for paperwork showing me what exactly was owed and they didn't contact me back. Fast forward to now..... I had a voice mail from A Donovan Kent stating they would show up to my work or home in 24hrs if not paid a sap! I called back and he wanted money right there and then. He did has information about the account I had it was scary. He emailed me a "letter" with the info I was asking but would not send one to my home until I paid them. Then they would send me a final notice that my debt was paid off. I'm not sure if this is legit or not but as I sat here talking to my bf about it.... I realized that he not once mentioned that "I must inform you this is an attempt to collect a debt" like other companies have. Idk exactly what this is but I am going to the police dept tomorrow and showing them the email that was sent to me.

I recieved a call on Nov. 1st from a guy claiming to be Tim Bradwell from the Cook County Department of Legal Services stating that I owed $305.00 from a pay day loan taken out in 2004.  I had already settled that with the original creditor but unfortunately didn't keep the paperwork to prove it.  He told me that the creditor said they never agreed to this settlement and that I would be served court papers and be sued if I didn't take care of this matter TODAY!  He gave me another number to call to take care of this matter.  It happened to be for E.W. Pendleton at 1-866-638-1964.  The guy I spoke to there was Joseph McNamara.  He was very insistant that this matter had to be taken care of TODAY and asked to me verify the last 4 digits of my social security number.  Unfortunately at the threat of being sued/served, I panicked and verified the numbers AND gave him my debit card number to have the funds taken from my account.  This was a Friday that they called and I told them the funds wouldn't be available until the following Mon. afternoon.  Later that day I was telling a co-worker about it and he said it sounded fishy so he investigated E.W. Pendleton for me and obviously it turned out to be a fraud.  At that point I called and reported them to the FBI, all 3 credit bureaus, the FTC, Attorney General and called my bank and put a freeze on the debit card.  I also called the number for E.W. back and of course got a voicemail.  I informed them that I knew they were a fraud and told them they had been reported and to whom.  I will also be filing a police report.  I had a "stupid" moment when I cracked under their pressure and gave more info. than I should.  Thankfully I realized it within a few hours and took action.  So far we haven't heard back from them and there has been no attempted activity on the card number I gave them.  Lesson learned!  I will never be fooled like that again.  If they can't prove anything to me, I have nothing to prove to them.

Report the callers to the FTC, FBI Dept of Justice and your state's Attorney General.  

Any legitimate collections agency would have no problem MAILING you proof (email or fax is not legal) that the debt is yours and also proof that they have the legal right to collect said debt.  Any caller who refuses to mail this documentation - which is legally required, by the way - is owed nothing, per the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act).  

Remember - anyone who says you owe money to them has to PROVE it with documentation.  It's not up to the alleged debtor to prove they don't owe the money.  This is the law - so if they can't or won't produce documentation that you owe this debt to them - you don't pay them.  Same with any caller who tries dunning you for money.

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/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

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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http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
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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.

This is EXACTLY what they told me only the name of the guy at E.W. Pendleton was Joseph McNamara.  They used the same name of Timothy Bradwell (sp.?) from the Dept. of Legal Service.  I unfortunately gave them info. I shouldn't of but caught on quickly and right away called my bank, reported them to the FBI and all 3 credit bureau's and when the Attourney General opens on Mon. morning they are getting a call too.  I wonder how many number they use in this scam.  The number they gave me to call for E.W. Pendleton was 1-866-638-1964.  People beware!

I received a message today on my cell phone from this number from a man identifying himself as "Donovan Kent" saying he was from EW Pendleton and he was going to be serving papers to both my home and my work (which I'm now disabled and don't work and haven't for 3 years) and he said something about charges and if I had questions to call the 877 number and he gave me some case number, but you can't reach anyone at that number.  So I got suspicious and did a search on EW Pendleton and I got this information!  I got rather suspicious right away because I don't recall owing any old bills that I'm not currently paying, and he used my former name, and I've been remarried for 5 years.  Just glad I decided to do a search and found this!

E. w. pENDALTON even gave a case number but not a location of were the debt is.. they said that it was over the internet cash advance 3 years ago?  Do you know what county they are in so that I can all the attorney general? I heard that this company is in TX?

So are you saying that it is legit?  Some people have been saying that it is not?  Which is it? Did you really have to go to court?

Thanks  for the info... so they are out of TX? How can I get phone number to the Attorney General/ Do you have the number or know what county, city so that I can call the correct agency.

Thanks for telling me that... That is the same number that they called and left for me 866-638-1964... How do we get rid of them? Does anyone know?

My sister received a call from E. W. Penalton Association, looking for me, who stated that they were suing me. They left it on my sister's phone where I believe  they googled and found a number since my numbers are not listed? The number that they gave her was 866-638-1964. Someone contacted me several months ago I think with another name and told me something similar, I googled their name and found out that there were complaints on them and thought this was over? I was going to make the payment to them because they said that it was a bill from 2 years ago which I cannot prove or disprove that I had, and then I decided if it were legit that they should send it too me in writing which I never got, but they did send an email  so that is why I considered. So now I really am sure?  I called that number all day today and no one called be back?  So I don't know now what to do or how to trace this number to see if it is legit because of course I do not want to get sued?  Can anyone tell me what I can do to find out if this is legit?

Just like Angel (See Angel-15 / August 2013), I had a similar situation,  On Wednesday morning, I received 2 phone messages (cell phone and home phone) from an investigator, James McCall or McQual, from the Legal Division in Los Angeles County.  This very same morning which he received a complaint; therefore, a case filed against me.  He said he had court order plus an investigation to come out on Friday to my place of residence.  If I have any question or concern was to call this toll free number and someone will assist me.  I returned his call that very same day and specifically asked for him, but they transferred me to a female representative who was in charge of my case.  This phone number is none other than "E.W. Pendleton & Associate' instead of "Legal Division."  Apparently, the representative somehow had information on my previous paid-in-full settlement and collection agency I made out the payment to.  She informed me that even though I paid off my settlement in good faith 3 years ago, the payday loan company (original creditor) wanted me to pay the bank fees ($175) of a check I had given them that was bounced 5 years ago including a lawsuit or fine of $2000 made recently. I said I would be willing to pay $175 bank fees, but not the fine.  She was willing to go with that.  During the entire time I was talking to her, she was pleasant then her tone of voice change to a matter of fact behavior because I was not willing to pay money over the phone until I received a formal, written agreements in the mail or by fax.  The representative try to put me on a guilt trip by saying that I should have mentioned this before she spoke to her supervisor.  She said that they are not a collection agency, but a company that follow a different procedure which means they can't complete the process of sending documents without a payment first. Then I mentioned to the representative about expecting a visit from James McQual which I assured her I can make the payment once the investigator shows the papers.  She claims that she has nothing to do or even responsible of knowing about the visit.  While I was trying to get some sort of confirmation from her, the representative hung up on me which I had to call her back and tell her how rude and unprofessional she was for doing that.  Her answer was that we were accidently disconnected.  As a result, we didn't go any further with the payment.  As far as the visitation I was expecting from James McQual on Friday, He was a "No Show."  

Some Tim guy called me threatend me and told me he was showing up in 24 to 48 hours at my home or place of employment nothing put a scam they called from1866-638-1964

Received phone message from a Mr. Frank Clark with legal division of Silver Bow County, of which there is no such place. He was looking for my brother who has not lived here in over thirty years. Stated that he was coming to my residence I  two days and wanted to meet with my brother in front of his parents. Our parents have been deceased since 1985 and 1998. Good Luck. Bulls..t scam. Called County Attorneys office and reported it.

Do not fall into the trap these scammers are trying to pull saying they are from E.W. Pendalton and associates.  State of Texas Attorney General's office says it's a scam. They said to immediately get any of your info changed and don't give anyone any money. They also said if any collection agency is collecting money you will be notified by mail. Nobody will come to your door within 48 hours to issue a court summons if you don't pay. If anything in collections would ever go to court it would be small claims court. These scammers have and know just enough information about you to make the entire thing believeable. Don't fall for it. You let them know you'll be contacting the FBI, police your state Attorney General and whoever else.

I received a message from Mark Smith at the Department of Legal Services. There was no threat to show up at my home or work, but he did have a 'docket number' that he wanted to speak to me as I was named as a respondent. When I called the number (866-638-1964), no one answered as it was after hours. I do not recognize the name of Pendleton and Associates, nor can I recall any of the sorts of debts listed here. The most frightening part was that he mentioned both my maiden and married names, as well as the county in which my parents live (a state away from me). Very, very odd. Has anyone seen any actual follow-through on these ludicrous calls - like has anyone shown up at houses or continued with legal action? I do agree, though - I don't recall law enforcement ever calling ahead to notify someone of papers being served.

You know - something just occurred to me.  NEVER in the history of process serving or legal notice serving, has anyone ever called the receipent of the legal papers been called ahead and warned they would served papers betweem this hour and that hour.. Ok, I feel better now that common sense has taken over.

I just got a call from a process server telling me that he would be out to serve me papers tomorrow.  Now he did not know what it was for nor could he open the envelope, but when he got here I would need picture id to receive the paperwork.  Of course hr gave me a telephone number to call, but unfortunately there was noone available at E W Pendleton (1-866-638-1964) to give me any information.  It can't be a credit card debt, I have not had a card in 7years.  So we shall see who shows up tomorrow.  Maybe I'll just open my door and my dog will accidentially get out.  OOOOOOhhhhhhh,   poor guy - my rottie shepherd hasn't been fed meat in 6weeks.

I got a message on my cell and home phone saying they will be at my resident with 24 hours or so he stated some other hame and never said ew pendleton and assoc.  I decided to look the phone number up on computer and I found out I am not the only one.  I called back after hours and didn't send caller id and it said they do not except unknown callers, then i called back and got answering machine and told them I contacted the atty generals office and they would be contacting them.  I told thm not to call my numbers again and stop harrassing me.  Thank you all for the information about this scam.  I can't believe there are people out there like this!  

I also just got a message from a Miles Smith (at least I think he said Miles.  I see above a number of people saying Mark).  He said he would be at my home and/or place of business tomorrow between the hours of 1 and 2 to deliver legal documentation concerning SEVERAL allegations that have been lodged against me and in which I was named respondent and he said it was tied to...and he gave me the last four digits of my social security number.  He then said if I had any questions or concerns I could call the legal department at 1-877-513-3996 and they would give me information.  I called the number which was E W Pendleton and associates and they had me spell my name and asked the last four digits of my social.  They then told me I was the wrong person and apologized for any inconvenience.  I am going to call the Attorney General's office to see what is going on.

They left a message for my husband. Saying they going to his job or come to our home. Said no guns or dogs on property. But they can come I have a sister that work for the federal government & 3 cousins that work for local law enforcement. My next door neighbor is a police officer as well. Let them come I will call the Attorney General Office as well. Calling and leaving messages like that.