I have two messages on my phone.  How do they know who else lives at this house and who hears these messages.  Thank you for this information.

What can be done? I've been a victim to this, I should have followed my guy, but they had so much information

I received a message from an Ashley King telling me that the message was for Patrick Stewart, and that if I didn't contact her back she would have no choice but to prosecute me (she thought she was calling Patrick Stewart) under North Carolina law. She left a number and an extension. I called her back and let her know that she had the wrong number, and she allegedly took my number off their call list.

Mary said NRG it was check fraud

I got the same call today and they threatened me with bank freezes, liens, coming to my work etc.  I have filed a complaint with my State's AG as well as the FTC and the BBB in Utah.

Just got a call from a friend that they some how got his phone number and left a message looking for me.  They wanted me to call them back saying it was a time sensitive mater and left a case number.  The women said her name was Rose something?

My family just called me to say I was going to jail tomorrow if I did not call these ppl back & settle!? I called my Sheriff dept first, then FTC, then Attorny Gen of my state!! They said not to answer the phone & the FTC said this is a prominate scam right now, that uses scare tacticts to get your money!! I was so worried :/ This is so sad & stupid of thoise ppl to take advantage of ppl with fear! DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY! Report them!

These b*****ds are rude as hell!  I asked if this was a legitimate company and he sai just hang up the phone. I told him to KISS MY A***!!!! He said what did you say I said you heard me a****ole! Then I hung up on him.

Mike, Thank you for that info. I recently retired and all of sudden this firm started calling and leaving messages very similar to yours. The way they use phrases like "action" it sounds serious. With me they added that this included a restraining order and have my attorney call them. You just saved me $300.00 in legal fees. This may be cliche but...YOU ROCK!

Same thing just happened to me...I started to mention harrassement and he got extremely rude and tried to intimidate me.  Same name and had a case number and everything.

Received a cellphone call this morning from "Mark Hoffman" at "Nationwide Process Servers." Stated that he had my previous address and had papers that he needed to serve on me. He gave me a phone number to call, 888-556-4580, and stated his client was "URG."

The 1st call to 888-456-4580 connected me to a "switchboard operator" who, when asked what her company did, stated that she had no idea. Her reply in several different ways could be summed up in the phrase, "I don't know what we do. I'm just a switchboard operator." I repeatedly pressed her as to the nature of  her employer's business. Eventually, she hung up.

The second phone call, connected through the "switchboard," yielded a fellow who called himself "Brian." "Brian" has no last name, no office address (To my request for his office address, he asked, "Are you gonna stalk me?") and is not in the Draper, UT address for URG collections listed on Google. While he alleged that all his phone calls were recorded, I did not hear a telltale "beep" on the line, nor did I assent to his recording of our phone call.

"Brian" stated that his firm, URG, is suing me concerning a credit card debt. I informed "Brian" that I had no knowledge of the debt he cited. "Brian" stated this credit card debt dated from 2002. I informed him that the statute of limitations time-barred this debt and wished him good luck. He was not thrilled to hear that I had an idea of the laws concerning credit card debt. He became quite unprofessional in his language and his tone. His language certainly violated the terms of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and The Fair Credit Reporting Act. I have serious doubts as to this man's legitimacy.

As far as I'm concerned, he's just anther scam artist, attempting to collect money from the ignorant and/or gullible. Good luck, "Brian."

Had been getting calls, but I blocked the number .Now they started calling relatives, leaving a name and phone number with a reference number to call them back. Do not call them...THIS IS A SCAM!!!

i have the same problems, this number call my relative stating that i owe them money on a visa cc in the year 2000 wow

The funny thing is I don't know what they are talking about and threaten to have my check garnished or bank account frozen. Is this possible they stated the cc was from 2000

This company called me and was rude and extremely nasty to me. I do not want them calling my phone they also called my father who live in a different country and we do not speak

This happened to me. Someone called a friend of mine looking for me claiming to be a deputy from the sheriff?s office, they didn't say which sheriffs office. After pressing them for more info and telling them that the person in question (me) wasn't here. They left a number and a case number. They even went as far as saying that someone would be coming to my house to serve the warrant the next day.

Before calling them I checked online, and the number came back as a scammer's number. I called my sheriffs dept, and checked with the warrants division and they said that i do not have a warrant out for me and a deputy would called me shortly if I wanted to issue a complaint. I said that would be fine. A short time later, a deputy called and ran the info that the caller left and said the number came out of India and that this is a common scam. I also contacted the F.T.C and the counselor also verified what the deputy told me. He also said said in some cases the scammer will say that a relative or friend is in jail and will ask for bail money.

I called the number and someone answered and identified themselves to be an officer and asked for the case number. He came back on the line and said I was being connected to a supervisor and put me on hold. He came back saying and said the number was busy and for me to hold. I told him that I knew that this was a scam and that I have already spoke to my sheriffs dept as well as the F.T.C. and reported this number. The person said that he was only a switchboard operator working on behalf of a client company. I asked him why he identified himself as a officer when he answered my call. He denied he did, and that he didn't know any details of my case and for mr to hang on and someone would be with me shortly. I said that wasn't going to hang on and hung up.

Do not fall for this scam, no matter what they say.I did suggest to the deputy that maybe some sort of sting or set-up could be intiated and he told me that these scammers never show up to the victims place of residence.

THis is a scam.  This company is URG: http://www.urglive.com/about_urg.html
They are scam artists who purchased old debt records well beyond the legal time frames for collection.  Tell them to go pound salt.

I received a call from the same number from someone named Michael ( might have been Harris ) saying there was a judgement against me for an old credit card debt from over 20 years ago. I played along, asked questions. He told me I owed $2711 and that once papers were served (court fees and such it would over $5000. Then told me that he would be able to stop the serving if I paid the debt or made a substantial down payment and paid the rest in 3-4 more. I said I didn't have that kind if money and he replied that he could probably get the amount cut in half to help me out. He also suggested I ask for help from family or friends. I'm so glad I found this site because now I know this is really major BS.

Did anyone show up at ur house to serve u papers? Did u have to go to court on Thursday?

I recieved the same call and reported them to the cops.

Same thing here. Same name. Same number. When I returned the call, I was told I owed over $4000 dollars on a credit card. I have NEVER owned a credit card. I told the guy this. He said he was an attorney representing the company. I told him I was unable to work outside the home as I take care of my mother who requires 24 hour care. He asked me if any family or friends could help me pay this. I told him no. Then he said "You already know the answer to that?" When I said yes, he told me I must be a psychic and I should go into the business. I told him he was now being a smart-a**. The he said at least he had a job and was not a bum like me. Real professional. If he truly was an attorney, he sure didn't act like it. He ended up hanging up on me. And after all was said and done, I found out, even though I never ran this bill up, there's absolutely NOTHING they can do. The debt was incurred way back in 2000. Statute of limitations is only 3 years where this happened. Been dead for 10 years. I would love to see the judge's face when this case lands on his desk. I'm sure it will end up in the big round filing cabinet.

I received a similar call (message) yesterday.  "Samantha Lopez" has received a complaint and that I need to call immediatly regarding a 'pending action' against me.  Gave me a case number.  When I called this morning it was a company called URG.  After researching, I found URG is a debt collection agencey called United Recovery Group AND they did a hard inquiry on my credit a few days ago!   I have never authorized a hard inquiry so now have to deal with getting this removed from my credit report.  

Thank you Mike for the imformation above as it help the consumer in knowing their rights.

Received a VM from a Mr. Ortiz.  Said was an urgent message for someone who might be a member of my family.  When I called back, a woman answered & said she was only the switchboard. I asked for the company name & she said she couldn't tell me, that she worked for hundreds of companies - she must be very busy, although I suspect was more due to her being full of it.  She asked for a file number & I gave her the number which had been left.  Finally a Shawn came on the line & when I asked why they were calling he refused to tell me.  Would only say that this other person was involved in a lawsuit.  When I told him that I was going to report them to the FCA & the BBB, he asked if I thought he really gave a ---- & started yelling & becoming verbally abusive.  I told him what I thought of him & that he should not call again & then hung up.

I recieved a call yesterday and the message stated to call El Bradley at 888 556 4580 regarding pending action against you.   This is the FIRST I have heard anythig from this company.  They call my cell phone which have in mind is NOT even in my name.  (how the hell did they get this number)  They give the "impression" that they are a law firm.  Sadley for them, I have 3 attorneys who work for me, ad I have a Judge and DA in the family so I happen to know a little bit on how the law works.  Here are some fun FACTS:

1.  If there is going to be LEGAL action taken against you, you will not get a telephonic warning.  You will have a knock at the door without warning!

2.  A collection agency MUST identify who they are, what company or law firm they are representing.  

3.  They are not allowed to leave a message stating legal action against you especially when they have not confirmed that this is a valid number for you.  

4.  NEVER verify your or confirm your identity with a company you have not heard of, or recieved a letter from.  Do not say the words "YES" "OK" or "AGREE" or "CONFIRM"  Companied record calls and can edit your part to where it sounds like you are validating what they are saying.

5.  RECORD ALL phone conversations with this company because it will be your word against theres.  

6.  SAVE any and ALL messages from them.

A REAL legitimate debtor will have already served you with papers via law enforcement/investigator with attorney office.  If they ask you to verify to address say the following:  I am sorry but I will not VERIFY   my identity as I do not know who you are as I have never recieved anything in writing from your company regarding this matter.  If they say we sent a letter, (which they all say which 99% of time FALSE, ask them to send you letter certified so you sign for it that way you are protected.  They need to prove that you ACTUALLY received the letter. ***IF they went to extremes to get your private number, they most likley already have your addres.

ALL states have a statute of limitations.  Educate yourself in knowing what your STATE limitiations are.  For NYS it is 6 yrs and 30 days.  They are NOT allowed to LEGALLY collect.  They can try all you say is "The statute of limitations has exceeded on this debt.  Go over your credit report yearly.  Report those items.  HOWEVER if at any time during that 6 yrs and 30 days you DO acknowledge  then the time clock starts overs.  If it is a debt you never acknowledged it can be sold over and over and over...SO many people are uneducated when it comes to these matters which it is important to know your rights.  GO to the FTC website and it is explicit on what a debtor can and can not say and do.

If it is close to the 6 yrs 30 days they be more aggressive but protect yourself and invest in a small recorder.  

Hope this helps.  

Yes...I will be taking the voice mail I recieved to my attorney first thing Monday morning!

888 556 4580  ITC Group, now owned by SYKES (www.sykes.com) out source company, doing financial, computer networks, etc. Attempting to collect "junk" debt.. Offices in 75+ countries...

888 556 4580: Belongs to ITC Group which was purchased by SYKES (www.sykes.com). International out sourcing company doing everything from computer networks to financial services. 75+ countries. Founded by Chuck Sykes in 1977.  Board of directors on their website... P.S. Usually less then ethical persons use 888 55x prefix as it is almost not traceable...

Today I missed a call (2:28pm) from 18885564580 (when I RECEIVED the called it was a restricted). I had a message:

The person(Calvin Lewis) provided me with a file number to give when I call back He said this is a URGENT message as they have a compliant against me that was forward to his office and to avoid action against me to call back.

I looked up this # on Google and I came cross this and read the reviews. I don't owe anything so I feel the is a scam / fake.

                *******************BE CAREFUL. REPORT THE CALL****************

I got a call at work from these people

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.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt076.shtm

They calledmy daughter's cell phone and left message about some kind of court case and asked to call back. When I called back they told me its about credit card debt. My daughter is 15 years old and study in boarding school, she does not have any credit cards. I tried to explain thus to the guy but he hang up. If they will keep calling her- I will report it to police