While I don't really agree with what those guys told you, I'll share some of my thoughts and let you take what you think isn't garbage and trash the rest.
1. I do try to keep track of the individual fouls during a game. It is good to be aware of the fact that Blue #33 has 3 fouls. There are game management reasons to know this info. Here is an example. If Blue #33 commits another foul, the coach is probably going to want to substitute for him, so you can be a little slower to administer the throw-in or last FT to give the coach a chance to send a sub to the table. Same thing for a player that gets two early ones or three at some point in the first half.
The most that I will do in terms of calling the game is pass on a borderline call against the kid, if we have had a couple of borderline ones on him already or if two players hit an opponent and I know how many each player has, I'll report it on the player with fewer.
No player will get away with anything that he shouldn't though.
(Oh, wait, I've purposely reported a wrong number to keep a girl in the game who had four and her team only had five players and they were down 20 in the 4th quarter.
)
2. If the team fouls reach a large disparity that is part of the game. I've seen a difference of 10+ fouls completely reverse in the second half and the opponent is being charge with all the fouls.
Now I also do stay aware of this and if it is 8-2 or something I will try very hard not to miss one that is there against the team with 2, but I won't make anything up. That just isn't right. The opponent may be playing better defense or they may be in a zone and the other team is not driving to the basket. There are many reasons for the team foul total to be unequal at some point in a game.
Like the individual player case, I also may pass on contact that is borderline against the team with 8, again if I believe that a couple of borderline calls have already gone against them.
Finally, a foul that has to be called, the contact creates a clear advantage, will be called no matter what the foul count is. I don't care if it is 15-1.
So I'm aware of it and I'm not out to stick it to anyone, but sometimes it just goes that way.
Just my humble opinion.