Thomas and Thomas in Ohio? Anyone dealt with them?

I looked them up at the BBB and it says they are attorneys. Likely they are collection attorneys. They have to abide by collection laws if they attempt to collect debt, they can not claim to be acting as solely a lawyer and ask you for money to pay a debt.

Now they have made initial contact. You can call them and speak with them just long enough to verify your mailing address, then you can inform them you are now awaiting a dunning letter as required by law. Be firm. If they say anything else, tell them you know your rights and you have the right to have the debt in writing and to have 30 days to dispute said debt.

If they threaten to sue, tell them fine, you will just ask for proof of the debt in court and will show the judge your financial situation and likely make a payment arrangement much lower than if they had simply followed the law and dealt with you fairly.

Just don't sound scared or let them make you nervous. You have rights and the fact they are trying to railroad you out of said rights should make you suspicious and want to check and double check every word they are saying.

If you know what the debt is for then send them a debt validation letter immediately, that way you will be able to show you asked for your validation and they sued you anyway, which counts as continued collection activity.

Thanks goldenblast. Yes I see they are 'real' attorneys, but collection attorneys. I just checked my credit report and it says "Charged off account,
Account closed by credit grantor". Does this help or hurt me in any way?

It just means it may have been sold. Doesn't help or hurt.