Unfortunately, this type of behavior by collection agencies is still typical in America even though we supposedly have laws to stop this from happening.
Keep a paper trail for everything you do.
NOTHING good can happen by talking to them on the phone. Do not answer their calls. Send a CMRRR(Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested) Cease & Desist letter demanding that they stop contacting you by phone, stop contacting your family at all, and stop discussing this debt with anyone other than you. Include that all correspondence must be by mail from here on out. (You don't want to cut them off completely. That pisses them off and they will probably sue.)
Find out about recording laws in your state and record all further phone calls if the law allows, keep records of everything they do. Get written statements from anyone who reports to you that they have contacted them.
Harassment is harassment. Don't ever let anyone threaten you like that. File a complaint with their local police department, report them to your state's attorney general, to the FTC, to the BBB, local newspapers, and to anyone else who will listen. Keep copies of these letters.
If it keeps up, you should probably contact an attorney. How much are they saying you owe?
Most of all, do not let them get to you. If you let them cause you stress and worry, they win - bottom line.
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