Would legitimate a law firm request a payment through Western Union Quick Collect?

I received a call from a "law firm" today & the guy said that I owe a debt from 2001 but he wouldn't send any information because he states a final letter was sent. I know in at least 3 years I haven't received anything. I wanted to know what he was talking about so I asked for more info & he told me I was screwing myself by not cooperating & that I need to send $148 for a returned check (from 2001) to a pizza joint 7 yrs ago. I don't even recall bouncing a check that long ago. I asked for an address & he wouldn't give me one but would give me a fax number & some info to pay "my debt" through Western Union. I am unable to find a match (on the companies information) through Reverse Phone Numbers & I am unable to locate the law firm through the Attorney General or Better Business Bureau. I'm concerned.

Don't sweat it, this is just a junk debt collector. Wait for him to call back and inform him that he has violated the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act by refusing to provide you with documentation regarding the debt. Tell him to look up the following"
15 U.S.C. 搂 1692e. False or misleading representations

A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:
(1) The false representation or implication that the debt collector is vouched for, bonded by, or affiliated with the United States or any State, including the use of any badge, uniform, or facsimile thereof.
(2) The false representation of--
(A) the character, amount, or legal status of any debt; or
(B) any services rendered or compensation which may be lawfully received by any debt collector for the collection of a debt.
(3) The false representation or implication that any individual is an attorney or that any communication is from an attorney.
(4) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action.
(5) The threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken or that is not intended to be taken.
(6) The false representation or implication that a sale, referral, or other transfer of any interest in a debt shall cause the consumer to--
(A) lose any claim or defense to payment of the debt; or
(B) become subject to any practice prohibited by this subchapter.
(7) The false representation or implication that the consumer committed any crime or other conduct in order to disgrace the consumer.
(8) Communicating or threatening to communicate to any person credit information which is known or which should be known to be false, including the failure to communicate that a
disputed debt is disputed.
(9) The use or distribution of any written communication which simulates or is falsely represented to be a document authorized, issued, or approved by any court, official, or agency of the United States or any State, or which creates a false impression as to its source, authorization, or approval.
(10) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.
(11) The failure to disclose in the initial written communication with the consumer and, in addition, if the initial communication with the consumer is oral, in that initial oral communication, that the debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and that any information obtained will be used for that purpose, and the failure to disclose in subsequent communications that the communication is from a debt collector, except that this paragraph shall not apply to a
formal pleading made in connection with a legal action.
(12) The false representation or implication that accounts have been turned over to innocent purchasers for value.
(13) The false representation or implication that documents are legal process.
(14) The use of any business, company, or organization name other than the true name of the debt collector's business, company, or organization.
(15) The false representation or implication that documents are not legal process forms or do not require action by the consumer.
(16) The false representation or implication that a debt collector operates or is employed by a consumer reporting agency as defined by section 1681a(f) of this title.

Hope this answers your question.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The advice contained herein is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as Legal Counsel nor Legal Advice.

Anyone with a fax machine & a phone can call anyone else and demand payment for a debt. If he is legitimate and the debt is legitimate, he should be able to provide documentation to you. If not, he is just trying to scam you. Tell him to take a walk into the middle of Lake Erie and fly a kite from there while he walks on the water.

I wouldn't send them anything. It could be a scam.

What was the fax number that was given to you? What was the name of the law firm? If it was legitimate, they would give you a mailing address and provide you with some information on the debt.

You might want to get a copy of your credit report from the 3 credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) which you can get for free once a year from the Federal Trade Commission's website https://www.annualcreditreport.com See if this "debt" appears on your credit report.

Scammer! Check on http://www.whocalled.us/ see if anyone else has listed that number and leave your comments... By law, they are REQUIRED to validate the debt in writing! Try pulling a copy of your credit report and checking for yourself... BTW, Western Union / Moneygram is the scammers BEST friend!

Don't send them one penny! If he calls again, state: Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting written validation of this alleged debt.

Don't let them scare you with bogus threats...they have NO power over you...It is illegal for debt collectors to pretend to be attorneys....

Don't be concerned.

If this clown is not willing to provide copies of whatever documents he has to prove the validity of the debt (and for you to determine if it is indeed something you owe), then there is no debt. He is trying to scam you.