Beware of unsolicited messages that claim to be from a “Mediation Department” and name a specific person. The pattern you’re seeing—identical text from a number ending in 1686, references to lawsuits, debt, and urgent payment demands—matches a classic extortion scam. Scammers harvest personal data, then flood relatives or former contacts with fabricated legal threats to provoke panic. Never click links or call back the number; verify any alleged court action directly with the court or licensed attorney using official contact info. Block the sender, report the number to your carrier, and consider filing a complaint with the FTC or local consumer protection agency.
Clearly, this is not a phishing attempt but rather an extortion scam disguised as debt collection.
An unsolicited text message was received from this number, purportedly from Carol Snyder of the Mediation Department, requesting contact at 844-734-1686.
I received the exact same text message as previously mentioned.
I received a text message instructing me to call Carol Snyder from the mediation department.