What do they want from me?

I have received 2 voicemail calls from a Mr. Bernstein, in one message he says that he is with the Attorney Network and then mumbles another firm name.  He also states that there is a pending matter against my social security number (then proceeds to tell me the last 4 digits of my ss#) and that he has been trying to reach me for the past 30 days (not that I'm aware of) and that if we don't touch base soon he will be forced to file suit against me for "theft of services".  After he leaves both of these lengthy messages he then rambles off a toll free number to call back and speak with someone regarding this matter.  It is all very strange and after reading some of the posts on this website I think I will look further into the matter before I consider returning a call or even picking up the phone with a caller id area code of 716.

OWE A CASH ADVANCED THAT WAS OPEN IN THE 2007. FROM UNIVERSAL CASH ADVANCED. I OWQ $795 ANS THEY WILL SETTLE FOR $400.00. IF NOT THEY WILL FILE A LAWSUIT AND THE PAPERS WILL BE SERVED TO MY EMPLOYER.

I keep getting these calls from 1-888-937-7937. She calls herself Miss Lund. It always pertains to some court case. Everytime she calls she gives a different speech. This family member does't even live here. She says she's calling for Attorney John Nicolai from 716-565-1469 or 716-565-1424 and to give her a call at 1-888-937-7937 X109. She gives a phony case number

that's WEIRD "gypsy," you said you lost your job and got sick in 07?? Weird.... Because I see several outstanding judgments through DAKOTA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, MN way before that and you never paid those, MISS NON DEADBEAT... what a joke you are.

AH, BUD HIBBS IS AT IT AGAIN- I RECENTLY REVIEWED YOUR WEBSITE- YES, I AM A SO CALLED "CON-MAN" AS YOU PUT IT OR BETTER KNOWN AS A DEBT COLLECTOR- NOT FOR ANY OF YOUR MENTIONED AGENCIES WORST TO DEAL WITH. WHERE DO I BEGIN? YOU AND THE NATION WILL NOW READ THE TRUTH BEHIND THE INFAMOUS BUD HIBBS IN THIS REPORT

FIRST OF ALL, WHAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT YOU IS THAT YOUR WEBSITE IS EXTREMELY OUT OF DATE AND MISLEADING, OBVIOUSLY AT THE BOTTOM OF YOU GIOVE LAW OFFICE WEBSITE PAGE,http://www.giovelawofficeexposed.com/?via=BudHibbs.com IT SAYS **"THIS SITE IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY"- WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU WRITE SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHEN YOU SAY THESE COLLECTORS ENGAGE IN "ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND ARE FUTURE FELONS TAKING YOUR MONEY". THATS ENTERTAINING TO YOU? WHY DONT YOU TELL THEM THE REAL REASON YOU LOVE WRITING ABOUT LENAHAN/GIOVE - COULD IT BE THAT THE ONE PERSON YOU HATE MOST SENT YOU A DOZEN LARGE PIZZA'S THAT DAY 5 YEARS AGO TO YOUR DOOR THAT YOU DIDNT ORDER- AHHH- AND THATS HOW IT ALL STARTED- THAT SAME "STINKY" MAN YOU MENTION ON YOUR WEBSITE- COULD IT BE THAT YOU JUST B***S*** THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTO BELIEVING THAT THEY ARE CONMEN- OR IS YOUR "ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY" WEBSITE THERE TO SCREW THE SAME PEOPLE THAT LEGALLY ATTEMPTED TO COLLECT A DEBT FROM YOU- IS THAT IT, ARE YOU TRYING TO SETTLE A PERSONAL SCORE WITH THESE "CON-MEN", IS THAT WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT--YES, YOUR SCREWING THEM FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL GAIN.

FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS, YOU HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT THESE CON-MEN, THIEVES, AND DRUG LORDS HAVE BEEN BREAKING THE LAW FOR YEARS AND YOU HAVE PROOF- WELL WHY ARE THEY STILL IN BUSINESS, AND NOT IN JAIL? BUT WAIT, YOU SAID THEY WILL SOON BE THERE. PER FDCPA LAWS, AGENCIES AND LAW OFFICES WILL BE SHUT DOWN FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AND WRONG DOING, NOW AND THEN, SOMEONE BREAKS THE LAW AND THEY ARE DEALT W/H ACCORDINGLY. YOU SEE, UP IN THE NORTH, WE HAVE STRICT LAWS IN NY.... FOR INSTANCE, IN TEXAS, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A CHECKING ACCOUNT AND RECEIVE A FREE SHOTGUN- YEP, BUT IN NEW YORK, YOU GET A COOLER, CAUSE GUNS ARE ILLEGAL IN MOST BANKS, THATS HOW OUR OUR LAWS DIFFER FROM YOURS- SO IF THEY ARE BREAKING LAWS AND IT IS KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC THEY ARE, THE STATE WOULD HAVE SHUT THEM DOWN BY NOW, RIGHT? WHY ARE THEY NOT IN JAIL YET, YEP THATS RIGHT, NOT ONE CRIMINAL RECORD ON ONE OF THEM, NOW IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT CIVIL JUDGEMENTS, WELL- TEXAS IS KNOW FOR 3 THINGS, STEER, QU***S AND DEBTORS-FUNNY HOW YOU BOAST ABOUT THEM NOW PAYING OUT THEIR JUDGEMENTS, COMING FROM A GUY THAT LIVES IN A STATE WHERE YOU CANT GARNISH ANYONES WAGES UNLESS IT IS FOR CHILD SUPPORT. BUT IM SURE THEY WILL EVENTUALLY GO TO JAIL, RIGHT? RIGHT! BECAUSE THE CONSUMER ADVOCATE SAID SO- AND SOMEBODY IN YOUR GOOD OL STATE SAID YOUR THE EXPERT IN THIS SORT OF FIELD- I WANT TO KNOW WHO THE HELL SAID YOU WERE THE EXPERT- AND YOU KNOW LAWS, LAWS THAT SAY YOU CANT GO TO JAIL FOR NOT PAYING YOUR BILLS- SO FAR, THATS THE ONLY THING THE LAW OFFICES MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

BUT WHAT MY REAL QUESTION IS WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE ITS OK NOT TO PAY YOUR BILLS- BESIDE THE FACT THAT "YOU" LIKE THOSE "CON-MEN" ALSO HAVE JUDGEMENTS SOARING- BUT THATS OK CAUSE YOUR SETTLING YOUR OWN PERSONAL SCORE W/H LENAHAN/GIOVE LAW- AND THE SMALL PERCENATGE OF PEOPLE IN YOUR STATE OF TEXAS THAT ACTUALLY PAY THEIR BILLS- (MY SINCERE APOLOGIES TO THE FEW OF YOU THAT YOU ARE LABLED FROM PEOPLE LIKE THIS-NOT PAYING YOUR BILLS"- WHEN YOU SAY THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING "THREATNED" BY THESES OFFICES, WHAT YOU REALLY MEAN IS WHEN THEY ARE CALLED AND TOLD THEY OWE A DEBT. GUESS WHAT- THEY ARE DEBTORS- AND MOST HAVE EXCUSES BEYOND THE IMAGINATION, LIKE ON DISABILITY FOR EXAMPLE- AND THE ONES THAT ARE ALMOST ALWAYS TAKE OUT THE CREDIT CARD YEARS AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN ON DISABILITY, THEN THEY RACK IT UP IN 2 MONTHS AND DONT PAY IT AGAIN- CAUSE THEY DONT CARE- WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT, DONT S*** WHERE YOU SLEEP, PAY YOUR BILLS - 99% OF THE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE LOTS OF DELIQUENT DEBTS ARE PROFESSIONAL DEBTORS- YEP THEY DO IT FOR A LIVING- AND DONT CARE- AND YOU GO AHEAD AND SAY ITS OK NOT TO PAY BILLS-WHICH BY THE WAY SHOULD BE A CRIME RIGHT THERE, THE UNFORTUNATE 1 % THAT HAD BAD,DUMB LUCK AND LOST EVERYTHING, BUT ARE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING NOT TO BE CALLED A DEBTOR ACTUALLY WANT TO PAY- SEE- PEOPLE THAT PAY THEIR BILLS ON TIME ACTUALLY FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES. BY THE WAY, FOR THE RECORD, WHEN YOU DO PAY A COLLECTION AGENCY- IT STILL HELPS YOUR CREDIT SCORE- YOUR NOT THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY IF YOUR CLEANING UP YOUR CREDIT, IF THE DEBT IS SOLD TO AN AGENCY, THE ORGINAL CREDITOR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCOUNT, AFFADAVITS ARE REAL, NOT A SCAM, PROFESSIONAL DEBTORS KNOW TO ASK FOR ORGINAL STATEMENTS FROM THE CREDITIOR SUCH AS ITEMIZED LISTS AND ORGINAL SIGNATURES ON ACCOUNT KNOWING THEY ARE UNOBTAINABLE CAUSE THE DEBT IS USUSALL 4 YEARS OLD OR MORE.

ANOTHER TOPIC I WOULD LOVE TO MENTION IS THAT YOU KEEP SAYING LENAHAN/ GIOVE IS CLOSING ITS DOORS, COME ON, YOU'VE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR 4 YEARS NOW- I SEE THE DOORS OPEN EVERYDAY- HAVNT CLOSED YET- HOW RELIABLE ARE YOUR SOURCES- HOW RELIABLE ARE YOU- NOTHING ON YOUR WEBSITE IS EVEN CLOSE TO ACCURATE- BUD- YOU WOULDNT LAST A MINUTE IN NEW YORK, AND AS I WOULDNT LAST A MINUTE IN TEXAS- I GUESS WERE JUST DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN A SMALL WORLD- HOWEVER- WELL START PAYING OUR JUDGEMENTS AS SOON AS THE STATE OF TEXAS PAYS THEIRS. I KNOW I WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO THE CHEVY DEALER ANY TIME I WANT AND SIGN FOR A NEW CAR- SEE- IF YOUR A GOOD PERSON AND YOU PAY YOUR BILLS AND DONT GET DWI'S- YOU TOO CAN ALSO GET A NEW CAR- WHICH REMINDS ME- I RECENTLY CALLED A DEBTOR IN THE INFAMOUS STATE OF TEXAS- THE DEBTOR CRIED SHE WAS ON DISABILITY- NO MONEY, BLA BLA, SAID NO WAY TO BORROW- I PULLED A CREDIT REPORT- AND LOW AND BEHOLD- THERE WAS A $35,000.00 GMAC AUTO LOAN ALONG WITH THE CITIBANK CREDIT CARD W/H AVAIL BAL OF 10.000$ W/H A CO-AP- I ASKED HER THAT FOR A PERSON OF HER STANDING WITH NO MONEY, AND NO JOB WHY THE HELL DID YOU BUY A CAR FOR $35000.00- AND SHE HUNG UP- I WILL TELL YOU WHY, CAUSE PEOPLES MORALES ARE &($%% UP- YOU HAVE YOURSELF A FINE DAY- ENJOY THE WEATHER DOWN IN GOOD OL TEXAS- I'LL KEEP PAYING MY BILLS AND MAKING A LIVING OFF OF YOU AND YOUR CRONIES.. SINCERELY FRANKIE

Frank
SOMEWHERE, New York
U.S.A.

You obviously did not look very hard,
he rents his law license out to criminal debt collectors and sues on their behalf with perjured court pleadings and falsified docuements.

Yes lawyers get a bad rap sometimes,  

In this case HE EARNED HIS REPUTATION!

COLLECTION AGENCIES DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!
FROM www.budhibbs.com  A CONSUMER ADVOCATE WEBSITE that specializes in Debt Collections and offers assistance to consumers.  THEY ALSO EXPOSE THE WORST FDCPA VIOLATOR IN THE COUNTRY


John Paul Nicolia, Attorney
300 INTERNATIONAL DR
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221-5781

(Executive Suites Office)
http://virtualoffices.regus.com/search/default.htm


JOHN PAUL NICOLIA
JOHN PAUL NICOLIA ATTORNEY AT LAW

NYS Bar #2375566 should be held accountable for the actions

of debt collectors representing him to consumers. Tape all calls, contact us for assistance, file complaints with the following:

New York State Attorney Grievance Committee
8th Judicial District
295 Main Street, Room 1036
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 858-1190
Fax: 716-856-2701
Web Site: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/ad4



Debt Collector renting his law license

Selected Entity Name: ETHICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
Initial DOS Filing Date: OCTOBER 02, 2006
County: ERIE   Jurisdiction: NEW YORK
Entity Type: DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Current Entity Status: ACTIVE

Selected Entity Address Information DOS Process (Address to which DOS will mail process if accepted on behalf of the entity)
ETHICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
300 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE
SUITES 143-144
WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK, 14221
Registered Agent :  NONE

AKA / EASTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT   Phone Numbers:      

888-813-4333
866-521-2611

866-926-4454
888-346-3978

716-626-3432
716-947-0230

716-282-3300

877-312-0822

716-312-0822
716-312-0823
716-312-0824
716-312-0825
716-312-0826
716-312-0827

716-321-0828
716-312-0830   Fax: 716-312-0829
                                 716-842-6033


Head Debt Collector:
JOHN PAUL NICOLIA, 50,  GRAND ISLAND, NY

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bud Says                         Consumer Comments Below

This is a typical Buffalo, NY criminal debt collection group operated by notorious debt collectors Greg & Doug Mackinnon. Doug & Greg are known, as ?Great Closers? because they close almost every debt collection and attorney office them become involved with and this one is no exception. Currently in bankruptcy for their failed Unistates Credit, while trying to explain to investors what happened to their $20 million investment. Here is an email that explains what many viewed on a recent Dateline, NBC story featuring Buffalo, NY debt collectors.

I doubt he will last much longer. A check of federal court cases shows that Nicolia and his collection operations have already had 31 lawsuits filed against them. We can reasonably expect that number to rise as they grow more desperate to steal money they are not entitled to.

Stay far away from this group of scam artists, contact us for assistance, do not give them access to your bank or credit cards.


CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.

Dealing with debt collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html
Statute of limitations by state ? always double check directly with your own State Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm
Recording calls from debt collectors ? always double check with your own State Government website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm
From FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION WEBSITE
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.


Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you?re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor?s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.

Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.

Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn?t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they?re told (orally or in writing) that you?re not allowed to get calls there.


How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?

If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter ? even if you don?t think you owe the debt, can?t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don?t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector ? in writing ? to stop contacting you. Here?s how to do that:

Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a ?return receipt? so you?ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don?t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people ? but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written ?validation notice? telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don?t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don?t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don?t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.


What practices are off limits for debt collectors?

Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:

use threats of violence or harm;
publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
use obscene or profane language; or
repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
misrepresent the amount you owe;
indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren?t; or
indicate that papers they send to you aren?t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:

you will be arrested if you don?t pay your debt;
they?ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don?t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:

give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn?t; or
use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt ? or your state law ? allows the charge;
deposit a post-dated check early;
take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don?t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don?t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.

Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don?t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:

Social Security Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
Veterans? Benefits
Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
Service Members? Pay
Military Annuities and Survivors? Benefits
Student Assistance
Railroad Retirement Benefits
Merchant Seamen Wages
Longshoremen?s and Harbor Workers? Death and Disability Benefits
Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can?t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney?s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector?s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General?s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General?s office can help you determine your rights under your state?s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government?s portal to financial education.

Did you talk to them? You should try to get that on recording and sue them!

How do you think? She's full of it.

How did you look up her info when all you have is a nickname from a post on this website 'll'?

If you look up any collection agency or attorneys office, even tele-marketers you will find bad news on all of them just due to the business they are in. Some I will admit are bottom feeders, but all the information seems to check out.

I am in debt myself but any attorney, I pay. I do not need anymore judgments on my credit.

Well, the never stated where they were from when they called me.  And when I look up the information on "John Nicola" this is what I found:

EASTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT AKA ETHICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT is a bottom feeder Collection Agency, Extracting money by giving false threats and using intimidation tactics.

Nicolia John Law Office is a bogus front for their Collection Agency operations. They say they are a "Law firm". They have no lawyers but say they are a law firm (scam, scam, scam). They call people's families and say they are trying to keep their loved ones out of court and jail so they should make a payment right away. Once they get your money they vanish or change their number. There are many people that work in the "office" and they keep giving fake names. Avoid.

Do not return the call, nor give ANY information.  Report false threats to the Attorney General.
Avoid.   Caller ID: 1-888-743-4628   Caller: EASTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT  

Very interesting...

They do state they are a law office. At least on the message I got. The message I recd. said, "This is Bob Mckelvin calling from the law office of John Nicola (sp?) re:a complaint they recvd. and to have myself or my attorney contact them due to pending litigation.

I did look up this attorney and found he has a NYS bar #...

The company Name is the LAW OFFICE OF JOHN NICOLIA.... they aren't hiding. It even says that on your caller ID. If you were called its because your family member used you as a reference on something that went bad and the creditor is seeking legal action.

Then why don't they state what law office they are with so that the person they are trying to contact can verify they are legitimate.  There are just too many scam artist out there using whatever it takes to scare people into making mistakes and giving information to the wrong people.  
Due to my situation, I have been contacted by a lawyer before and they were up front with all of this information, not so vague as to who they represent.  Also, when I was contacted by a law office before, they not only called but sent a registered letter so that I had concrete proof as to who they are.  And I find it strange that this 888 number cannot be traced.  Yes, they have to provide a toll free number for you to call, but the other law office I dealt with... the number was easily traced right back to them.
As I said, I have been slowly getting back on my feet and have been in contact with my creditors and I am taking care of things.  I am not a deadbeat and have been greatly relieved to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

You were contacted by a law office. They obviously are either trying to collect or sue you. They also are required by law to have a toll free # for you to contact them on. Check your credit report, they are most likely listed on there with that same #.

I just received a call from this number too.  A Shannon Hunter-Lowe?  Same thing about a case number #181256
They told me or my lawyer to contact them or they would refer it to a lawyer in my area for further action.

This sounds fishy to me.  I have had some finacial problems since someone hacked my checking account in 2006, then I faced a serious illness in 2007 that had me off work for more than 6 months, but I have been slowly taking care of all the bills that became delinquent.  Since I have been in contact with my creiditors, this one just doesn't sound right.  I was just hoping that one of my debts hadn't fallen thru the cracks, but I would have thought I would have been contacted from the court, not some 888 number.

I got a call saying the same stuff from the same number but from a Brian walter

Got a message on my brothers phone, which immediately sent up red flags for me, since I am listed, and I'm not hiding!
It was from Julia Hargrave, saying there was a Complaint against me in xxxxxxxxx county.  
They left a Docket number and said to call them at this (888) number and I better contact my attorney.
Why would I have to call a 1(888) number for my local County Office?
Also, I KNOW I have no complaints against me for any reason.  When I looked up this number, another person was saying the exact same thing, except they were in another county and state!

Yup, something fishy here.

just got a call from my sister who lives across the country about the same issue, same phone number, same person julia hargrave. I believe it's a scam since they refused to give the company name they were calling from.

I didn't answer.  I got a voice mail saying they were looking for one of my family members which they called by name and wanted them to call 888-937-7937. (How did they get my number?)  Anyway, it seemed suspicious because they said they are from the county court system and left a complaint number.  When I went online and looked up that complaint number in the county's database, there was no such complaint.  Furthermore, the complaint number was in the wrong format for this county.  She left her name, Julia Hargrave, and phone number and the complaint number and stated that my family member or the family member's lawyer could contact her and if they failed to do so they would face litigation.  This just doesn't feel right to me.  1) Why would they call me instead of my family member 2) the complaint number is weird 3) why call from an 888 number instead of sending a letter like most court systems do?