Did a fake lawyer call my family threatening to sue me for an old loan?

[WolfRolanCale]

Hey there, I got a call from someone saying he's a lawyer and that he's going to sue me for a loan from American Web Loan. I honestly can't remember if I paid it in full—it's been at least 7 or more years. It isn't on my credit report. The guy claiming to be a lawyer read out my social security number and address before even confirming it was me. I hung up on him, and then he called my husband, who said he didn't know who he was talking about. The man got combative and screamed at my husband, Yes you do, it's your wife, and I am going to sue her. Then he called my daughter, mother, and sister. Is this even legal? Any suggestions? How can they sue for an old loan htat I never received a single communication from in at least 7 or 8 years?

 

[Starblazer91x]

Pretty sure that’s harassment.

 

[Maria43]

I would assume this is a scam. If it continues I’d call the police.

 

[electricbrawl]

Not legal at all. Your information is private.

 

[itsakiltcorpus]

You should report it. The same thing happened to me last week. To get them off your back, ask for debt validation a lot of times, they won’t provide it.

 

[FreshMetabFlex]

More than likely debt collector, you can fight it. Your debt can’t be sold

 

[carefulgoliathcactus]

Very illegal for them to disclose debts to third parties.

 

[TavTrue]

It sounds like a scam. But Equifax and TransUnion have both had breaches. Therefore, all of our personal identifiers are out there.

 

[SkyCarNana7]

With those types of calls, you'd really like them to actually sshow up in court. This is a scam debt collector who has real account information. Write down the details you remember, then add a declaration: I declare under penalty of perjury that all facts detailed in this statement are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Sign and date it. If they actually sue you which they won't that dated statement of the illegal practices you described will be enough to beat them in court.

 

[PilkStinky]

I would record him, ask for his information, and report him for harassment. But more than likely, it's a SCAM. A letter would have been sent to you a while ago mentioning the debt, anyways.

 

[chepfrast56]

It was a scam a terrifying one. A couple years ago, I was panicked when someone posing as a lawyer called my mom, my daughter, and my fiancé, claiming I owed a debt to a bank I had never even used. When they finally reached me, my heart raced they had all my personal information: my date of birth, full address, and Social Security number. They threatened to file with the courts and sue me, but said if I paid $3,000 right then over the phone, they’d forgive the full $15,000 debt. I asked for their number so I could call themm back after speaking with my husband. Then I called the bank they claimed I owed of course, they had no record of me. I never heard another word from them.

 

[SlimGreenMooch]

No, this is not legal.
There are a ton of red flags here..

A real attorney doesn’t read your SSN over the phone.
They don’t threaten to sue you.
They don’t call your family and disclose an alleged debt.

If this loan is 7+ years old and not even on your credit report, it’s very likely time barred and unenforceable.

Calling your husband, daughter, mother, and sister and becoming aggressive is a clear FDCPA violation.
Do not admit the debt.
Do not pay anything.
That can restart the statute of limitations.

Document everything.
Send a debt validation and cease and desist.
If they contact you again, you’re in a position to go after them, not the other way around.