What is Case Management?

[Ms. Constrood]

Three days ago we received a couple of forms from a law firm based in Sacramento, California (we live in Southern CA). The main document is form CM-110, and the bottom of the page says "Case Management Statement". The second document is #POS-040 and says "Proof of Service - Civil" at the bottom.

The plaintiff listed on the main document is CACH, LLC and it states that a Case Management Conference is scheduled for 11/6/07 at our local courthouse. The rest of the document is a list of information boxes some of which are marked with Xs.

There are some items on this document that seem suspicious. Firstly, it says that a complaint was filed on 04/04/07. This is the first we heard anything about such a complaint.

Secondly, one item says to provide a brief statement of the case, including any damages. Below this is typed "Collections - unpaid credit card account. Our office is currently in the process of service. Please continue the hearing to allow time to perfect service. Plaintiff requests a continuance of 90 days to allow time for service."

There is no account number or Original Creditor listed on this document, nor is there any amount of money listed. Aren't damages specifically dollar amounts?

We checked the website for our local court (Los Angeles Superior Court) and there was no case listed for the case number mentioned in the document we received as of two days ago. Just today we checked again, and there is a case using the same case number, BUT it is for a different plaintiff and a different defendant (we did check that we had entered the exact case number).

This sounds fishy to us, but we would like to get opinions of those who have gone before us. What is a Case Management Conference? We have read over this document many times and no where does it say that we need to reply, but our first instinct is to reply to both the law office and the court stating that this sounds suspicious and perhaps fraudulent and requesting clarification. Is that the worst idea ever proposed, or does it have merit?

I tried to keep this as short and concise as possible, but can provide other information as needed if it helps you respond (this is the first time I've used this forum, and it is a bit nerve-wracking). Thanks so much for any advice you can offer.