A notice from Linebarger about back taxes or a court debt is frightening -- especially the words "tax lien" or "foreclosure." Here's the calm version: Linebarger is a real law firm, not a scam. What protects you is knowing this is government debt, so the answer is to work with the taxing authority or court, not to ignore it and not to hand it to a settlement company.
Short answer
Yes, Linebarger is legit -- a law firm that collects government debt (property taxes, court fines and fees, tolls, municipal charges) for public bodies. Government and tax debt is not "settled" through a debt-relief program -- go to the taxing authority or court for payment plans, abatement, amnesty, or an appeal, and never ignore court papers.
Who Linebarger is
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson is a law firm that collects government debt -- delinquent property taxes, court fines and fees, tolls, and municipal accounts -- on behalf of cities, counties, taxing authorities, courts, and toll agencies. For consumer-type accounts it's a debt collector under the FDCPA, so it must validate the amount in writing and identify the government body it collects for.
Why government debt is different
- Don't route it to a settlement program. Taxes, tolls, and court debt follow the government's own process -- a third-party debt-relief company can't settle them.
- Go to the source. The taxing authority, court, or toll agency is where the real options are: hardship or installment plans, penalty abatement, amnesty, appeals, and exemptions.
- The stakes are real. Unpaid property taxes can lead to a tax lien and eventually tax foreclosure -- act early, through official channels.
If they've sued you or sent a tax notice
- Never ignore a summons, tax notice, or court paper. Respond by the deadline -- deadlines on tax and court matters are strict.
- Confirm the amount and the authority it's collecting for before you pay anything.
- Ask the authority about relief -- payment plans, abatement, amnesty, or an appeal you may qualify for.
Is it a scam?
No. Linebarger is a legitimate firm, not a fake front. But impostors imitate tax and court collectors: a fake caller threatens immediate arrest or seizure and demands payment "today" by gift card, wire, or app. A real government collection goes through the court or taxing authority in writing, and no legitimate debt leads to arrest for simply not paying -- verify with the authority directly before you send money.
If part of it is a private account
If some of what Linebarger is collecting is a genuinely private, unsecured account -- not a tax, toll, or court debt -- that piece may be negotiable once it's validated and within the statute of limitations, and a municipal utility balance can sometimes be itemized and reduced. But the tax and government portions belong with the authority that assessed them; work out a plan there rather than paying a settlement company. If any forgiven private balance exceeds $600, you may receive a 1099-C; consider asking a tax professional.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your rights and timelines vary by state and by the government body involved; consider consulting a qualified attorney, a tax professional, legal aid, or the taxing authority or court directly.