This drives me crazy. I probably get this call more than any other call. Someone calls me and they tell me that a debt collector called them and threatened to have them arrested. Or they call and they tell me that the phone rang and it was the “Sheriff” who was coming to arrest them.
This is a huge source of complaints involving the use of false or misleading threats of what might happen if a debt is not paid. These include threats to institute civil suit or criminal prosecution, garnish salaries, seize property, cause job loss, have a consumer jailed, or damage or ruin a consumer’s credit rating.
Simply put: we do not have debtor’s prison in this country. You will not go to jail. Take a deep breath if someone tells you this and, quite frankly, hang up on them. There is no need to listen to someone who spouts this nonsense.