Caller had a horrible connection, which made it difficult to hear what he was saying, but it was obvious he was reading from a script. He claimed to be from the "attorney services division" of a company (company name inaudible) and that they had "felony charges" against me in their office and wanted to give me the opportunity to discuss it with them before they sent out a locator service to serve me the papers. He mentioned "intent to defraud a financial institution" among the charges.
I suspect very strongly this has to do with payday loans, which I fell into the trap of using several years ago. However, I paid off ALL of my loans and never used them again, so he's barking up the wrong tree.
If you get a call from this company, do the following:
1) Demand they validate the debt in writing through the mail. If they balk at that or refuse to do so, hang up. That's your first red flag that they are not a legitimate company, but a scammer. If they ask for your address to serve the papers or send validation, tell them that if they are already in possession of a legitimate debt file, they should have it - make them tell you the address - don't give it to them.
2) If you legitimately owe a debt that these people are trying to collect on, tell them that you will deal with the original creditor - not a collection agency. You have the right to do so.
3) Another red flag - this company may attempt to threaten you and frighten you into paying a debt you do not owe. They will say they're coming to serve papers at your place of employment, that they're going to have you arrested on felony charges, etc. The important thing to remember is this: There is no debtors prison anymore. You cannot go to jail or be arrested for defaulting on a loan or not paying a debt. However...you *CAN* be taken to civil court if you don't pay your debts and the creditor decides to obtain a Warrant in Debt to garnish your wages. It's important to know the difference. This company is threatening felony charges and arrest on matters that are not felonies. They are counting on you being frightened enough by their words to pay something you may not legitimately owe.
Sorry for the long post, just hoping it will help someone else avoid paying these scammers.
Caller had a horrible connection, which made it difficult to hear what he was saying, but it was obvious he was reading from a script. He claimed to be from the "attorney services division" of a company (company name inaudible) and that they had "felony charges" against me in their office and wanted to give me the opportunity to discuss it with them before they sent out a locator service to serve me the papers. He mentioned "intent to defraud a financial institution" among the charges.
I suspect very strongly this has to do with payday loans, which I fell into the trap of using several years ago. However, I paid off ALL of my loans and never used them again, so he's barking up the wrong tree.
If you get a call from this company, do the following:
1) Demand they validate the debt in writing through the mail. If they balk at that or refuse to do so, hang up. That's your first red flag that they are not a legitimate company, but a scammer. If they ask for your address to serve the papers or send validation, tell them that if they are already in possession of a legitimate debt file, they should have it - make them tell you the address - don't give it to them.
2) If you legitimately owe a debt that these people are trying to collect on, tell them that you will deal with the original creditor - not a collection agency. You have the right to do so.
3) Another red flag - this company may attempt to threaten you and frighten you into paying a debt you do not owe. They will say they're coming to serve papers at your place of employment, that they're going to have you arrested on felony charges, etc. The important thing to remember is this: There is no debtors prison anymore. You cannot go to jail or be arrested for defaulting on a loan or not paying a debt. However...you *CAN* be taken to civil court if you don't pay your debts and the creditor decides to obtain a Warrant in Debt to garnish your wages. It's important to know the difference. This company is threatening felony charges and arrest on matters that are not felonies. They are counting on you being frightened enough by their words to pay something you may not legitimately owe.
Sorry for the long post, just hoping it will help someone else avoid paying these scammers.
Caller type: Scammer
Caller: MR Smith
Number: 888-789-5690