This number belongs to the LAW OFFICES OF WILLIAM SMITH and we are the genuine law firm and many scam artist are using our name and number in order to collect money from the debtors and we have complained many time to the FBI and they are investigating at this case. So, if you have any query then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Got this scamming call today at 10:00 in the morning saying I owe 200.00 and they are calling from Law offices of William Smith talked to them told them my lawyer will call them back they told me they needed to hear back from my lawyer in half an hour or the sheriff would be sent to track me down :). I've been getting calls from this people for over one year and I actually fell for this trick the first time because I did owe a pay advance company which I already took care of but not before falling victim to these scam people. Hard lesson to learn. If the FBI is investigating them tell them I hope they get these people soon as believe I'm not the only one that has fallen for their tricks. The number they used this morning is 314-338-6139
The FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf treats the INITIAL CONTACT between collector and debtor (first call, first letter, first whatever) as a special event. Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for them, the FDCPA requires collectors to provide them), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER.
Note that 3,4,5 must be done *IN WRITING* so you will need to ask an address from your collector. If s/he refuses to give you one for any reason, treat the collector like a SCAMMER.
The collector can threaten court action at initial contact but the FDCPA requires that the collector actually take you to court if the collector threatens it. Threatening court and not going through with it (coercion) is illegal.
If they say the FDCPA does not apply to them because they own your debt, the debt-owner exemption only applies to the original owner. A 3rd party who buys the debt for the purpose of collecting debt is treated as a debt collector and not an owner and must obey the FDCPA as explained in this FTC Staff Opinion letter here http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/letters/arbuckle.htm
Has the statute of limitations for your state http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html expired on your debt? If expired, don't pay.
Collectors generally have to be licensed by your state to practise (collect debt) in your state and you can find out by calling your state Attorney Generals Office. Ask if a license is required and does this collector have one. If not licensed, don't pay and file a complaint with your state AG.
Read useful debt-collection FAQs from the FTC here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm
The debt collection process explained in plain English http://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt/fdcpa.html
Be aware that scammers are using bought/hacked/phished loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The FBI warns again http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releas ... nt-payday-loans
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php as appropriate.
Yeah, this [***] called me this morning and threatened to turn me over to the police and that they would arrest me if I didn't pay him 300 bucks. I played his little game for a minute. I pretended to be frightened and I acted like I was about to read my credit card number to him. I gave him four random numbers and then I quickly told him that he could go F#<k himself! Then he told me that this was a serious matter and I would be arrested this evening. Then I got sarcastic with him and said "Oooo, I'm so scared!" and then, of course, like the bull Shi+ artist he is, he said to me "I'll f#<k your mudder @$$hole in that thick Arabian accent, proving that he was a lowlife trying to scam people. Don't fall for this idiot's crap people!! He is scum! Anyone who would try to steal from people during these economic hardships has a special place in Hell reserved for them.