Got a call this morning from a number I didn’t recognize. Let it go to voicemail, and when I listened, my heart sank. It was a law firm — or at least they said they were. The message mentioned Peroutka, Miller, Klima & Peters, said they were calling about a debt, and told me to call back “immediately” to avoid “further action.”

I spent the next hour freaking out. I googled the name and found out they’re tied to Klima, Peters & Daly, P.A. now. The name change alone made me suspicious. Then I started reading stories from other people who’ve dealt with them, and I realized I wasn’t alone.

Here is what happened and what I did next:

The Call: When I finally called back (probably a mistake in hindsight), the person on the other end was firm but not outright rude. They knew my name, my old address, and the last four of my social. That part freaked me out. They said I owed money on an old credit card account and that they were “evaluating” whether to move forward with legal action.

I almost agreed to a payment plan right there just to make it go away. But something stopped me.

What I Did Instead:

I told them I needed everything in writing before I could discuss anything. The person pushed back, said the offer was time-sensitive, and that I needed to act now. That pressure tactic actually made me more suspicious.

I asked:

Who is the original creditor?

What is the account number?

Do you have a judgment against me?

Is there a case number or court filing?

They gave me vague answers. That was my first red flag.

Then I Did My Homework:

Verified the firm: I looked up the current address (8028 Ritchie Highway, Suite 300, Pasadena, MD 21122) and phone number (800-899-2424). The number they called from was different. I called the main number I found online and asked to confirm if they had an account for me. They did, but the person I spoke with was much more professional and less pushy.

Checked the statute of limitations: This debt was old. Like, really old. I looked up my state’s laws and realized it might be past the time limit where they could even sue me.

Requested validation in writing: I sent a letter asking them to prove the debt. This is your right under the FDCPA. If they can’t provide proper documentation, they can’t collect.

Did NOT pay anything: This was huge. I learned that even making a small payment on an old debt can restart the clock on the statute of limitations. That would have been a disaster.

Checked for court records: I called the courthouse in my county and asked if any lawsuits had been filed against me. There were none. That was a relief.

What I Wish I Knew From the Start:

They are a real law firm, but that doesn’t mean they’re right about your debt

Don’t trust the caller ID or the number they give you — verify independently

You have rights under the FDCPA — they can’t threaten you illegally, call at unreasonable hours, or lie to you

Time is on your side with old debts — check the statute of limitations before you agree to anything

Get legal help if there’s a summons — missing a court deadline is the worst thing you can do

Where I’m At Now:

I sent my validation letter certified mail and I’m waiting for their response. The calls have slowed down since I told them to communicate in writing. I’m not paying anything until I see proof that:

The debt is mine

They have the legal right to collect it

The amount is correct

It’s still within the statute of limitations

If they can’t provide that, I’m prepared to dispute it with the credit bureaus and move on.

Has anyone else dealt with this firm recently? How did it go for you? Did they provide proper validation or did they just keep calling? I’m still in the middle of this and would love to hear from others who’ve been through it.

Also, if you’ve gotten a summons or court papers from them, please share what happened — I think that’s the part that scares people the most. I’ll update this post when I hear back from them.

Hang in there if you’re going through this too. It’s stressful, but you’re not powerless.

How To Handle Peroutka, Miller, Klima & Peters Harassment