I received a call at my work number and cell phone number from this number. "Jason" who I could barely understand kept telling me I was going to go to federal court for money I received from a payday loan and did not pay back. I told him I did not know what he was talking about and he told me I needed to send him $300 by Friday or I would be issued with warrant and be arrested. He said with the money he could clear me of all the debt. Something does not sound right here! Is there help out there for this nonsense?
This is a criminal extortion scam operating out of India. They are making the calls utilizing VOIP and the names of legitimate firms to make it appear the calls are originating from within the US. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting and/or buying consumers' personal identifying information from unscrupulous websites like the one you may have filled out an application with, and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.
ABC News released an investigative report on this scam in June. The FTC has indicted one of its ringleaders for criminal fraud:
Called me at work. Stated Name; Darren Brown. The phone number is 1-206-414-0882 said he is from the FCID that this is an urgent legal matter and if I do not respond and settle "this debt", I will be arrested and face "harsh punishment" I asked the caller where he is from he stated "USA" i asked where specifically after a great amount of hesitation he said, "New York, USA"