They will tell u they are from Pretrial Counseling.  She will say her name is Amanda Sawyer. She calls from 803 area code and 770-217-3348.  She will tell u that you took out a payday loan of $300 and now with interest and fees you can settle it today for $962.43, but if you do not set up a payment plan today, you will be sued for $1689.65.  First of all if you owe a debt, you will receive written confirmation of the debt by mail. Second if you are going to be sued, you will be notified by certified mail and if you are going to be arrested, you will not find out by a phone call.

} if you owe a debt, you will receive written confirmation of the debt by mail

"Confirmation" is too strong a word. Debt collectors are required to send a notice briefly outlining the debt claim and making various disclosures regarding consumer dispute. Extortionist types shy from creating any paper trail.

} Second if you are going to be sued, you will be notified by certified mail

Several methods of process service are available, depending on the local court and what its rules say. Very likely the most preferred method is personal delivery. Litigants resort to USPS only if a live person is elusive, and usually have to motion for permission for "alternate service".

Never let bullies on the phone confuse extortion with debt collection. Honest debt collectors do not typically send their claims straight to a judge, and they don't take your ransom money to broker quick deals with so-called "process servers". There are no secretive "arbitrators", "assessment specialists", "detectives", "investigators", "mediators", "mitigators", or "prelitigation specialists". They are sweaty double-talking criminals with a script full of coercive remarks. The agents' horrid threats are empty and their conduct is illegal.

Lawful debt collection is a process, not an ambush. Early in that process you must be given a specific notice about your alleged debt and how to dispute it. From there, you have a right to obtain proof of claim *on paper*. Federal law does not expect you to take only the word of strangers on the phone that bad things are about to happen. Do not reward lawbreakers with your money. Challenge them always, sue them if you can.

FTC and CFPB material on US federal collection law:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... debt-collection

FTC alert: "Fake Debt Collectors"
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

Yes, but you cannot be arrested for ordinary civil debt .  Being in debt is not a crime.

Unfortunately my wife fell for it and gave them our bank account, :O which is now being returned and investigated by the bank after I saw the charges. She just got caught up in the lies and threats to sue and thought she was doing the right thing. They still are calling and we have had several different companies claiming to be a mediation or debt collector threating to turn over as a refusal to pay.  I have called them all back and they will not give any info about this other than some b.s. and yell at you. I have read that the IRS was hacked ( I don't know if its true) and that is where they are getting all this info about you. The had my wife's old email, address, bank, account number, and her phone number that has been the same for many years. They will prey on the weak and confused. do like I have and tell your story so you can help others give lots of info and maybe just maybe they will go to jail someday. The different ones that called us are Arbitration Firm, Mediation Holdings, Civil Arbitration Group, Civil Mediation, and they have used multiple phone numbers WATCH OUT AND STAY SAFE!!!!!!  Change your account numbers and passwords !!!!!