This is a 2 part call. First they call you and tell you they are with county services and need to coordinate some papers to be delivered, when pressing they tell you its a civil matter and imply that you are being sued. They give you a "case number" and an 800 number to call. When you call the 800 number they answer the phone "Law Office". The "legal processor" gets on the phone and tells you that there is collection against you and tries to sound very "legalish" tells you who the company is and wants you to call them and confirm. The "legal Processor" will not tell you who "their" client is. SO after you jump through these hoops and call back he basically tells you to pay up or you will be sued. In my case it was a bill from a previous marriage that was not mine but my ex wife's.
When the "legal processor" tells me the age of the account in my case 7 years old I told him to go ahead and sue me, the statute of limitations in the state of Texas is 4 years on a bad debt, and I will file for immediate dismissal. He then informed me that I had signed a "tolling agreement" when the service contract was signed extending it to 7 years. This statement is a lie. I actually have a law firm on retainer and I called them. My attorney informed me that a tolling agreement can not be signed at the onset of a good or service and can not supersede state law of 4 years. THIS IS A TRICK TO SCARE YOU. I called them back and informed them to stop calling me and forward all correspondence to my attorney. I also go their address so my lawyer could send them a letter to stop all contact via phone which anyone can do themselves.
To get sued in Texas, several things have to happen, first they have to send you a certified letter attempting to make contact, a phone call is not binding. Second they have to file suit in the COUNTY you LIVE in. Once suit is filed a constable will show up at your home or work and serve you papers (they do not call and arrange a time as the fake phone call above indicates)
Once you are served papers you must answer the court and give a response to the case, then a trial date is set.
Don't let these idiots fool you. A side note on statute of limitations...If you have made any payments of any kind the statute is extended. The statute is only enforceable IF no activity is on the account for 4 years.
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