I got a call at work, which goes through the operator and into my classroom. I hung up one day cause I was in the middle of class. Then today I got a message in my box. Is there anything I can do to stop them from calling work? This is really annoying. I mean they are tell the secretary that they have an important legal matter. Makes it seem like I am in trouble, and I work at a school with kids!! Not a good thing. I need this to stop!!!
They call claiming they are "Alex Johnson" or "Sean Anderson" an "officer of the law" with some sort of indian accent and that there will be police officers coming to arrest me with all these bogus charges against me on a phony payday loan that I supposedly had... they even had names of friends that I have previously used as referrences on other things & my ssn. They've even called me back after I hang up calling me a "b*tch" and "stupid lady... that's all you are is a stupid worthless lady" and one even said "i will track you down and kick your a**" I called the FTC and our state's Attorney General and they both said it's a scam and the only thing I can do is change my number or hang up as soon as I realize it's them and not to give them money. They also gave me a list of information that would help determine the difference between a real debt collector and a scammer. A debt collector HAS to send you a written notification with in 5 business days of the first contact. Also, a debt collecting agency and officer CANNOT make ANY sort of threats against you whatsoever... not even to garnish wages. If they do so and it is reported, they can receive fines starting at $10,000. My husband is in the military so we can't just change our phone numbers, there are way too many people we would have to notify, so we contacted our cell phone providers and downloaded a phone number blocking program and add those numbers to the list as they call. They stop calling for a while but eventually find a number that isn't on the list.
I have been getting them also. Seems it is linked to applying or checking into payday loans online. I checked to insure I had nothing outstand. After doing that, I have become belligerent with them. They ask to speak to me, I tell them, "No you may not!! You are trying to scam me and I know it. You are full of lies!!! Do not ever call me with your S%@* again!!!" Then I hang up. The calls have become less frequent, and seem to be less by the week. I know it is a harsh tactic, but so what! It helps to get some of the stress out over the calls and seems to be halping to stop them. Besides, thieves like this do not deserve better treatment!!!