Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

The rules are, 'find the guy and slap service on him'. If the party claims to have served you and takes your default, you can contest the service and default by filing appropriate motions showing they violated the technical rules, thus forcing them to do it over if you succeed in the motion. Avoiding service merely runs up the costs you potential face, it doesn't make the case go away, and they CAN get you served by publication if necessary.