I woke up this morning only for my wife to tell me there was a message on her cell phone for me. It was a guy by the name of Eric Smith. He announced himself as Officer Smith. He was explaining that I owed a payday loan and I needed to pay it. He went on to explain that if he did not hear from me or my attorney that I could face jail time, officers would go to my job and harass me, and I would be fired. After hearing this, I immediately called back. The number I was given by him to call was 210-787-3390.
When I called back I immediately demanded to speak with Eric Smith. I was transferred to "his supervisor," Bryan (or Brian) Jones. He also introduced himself as Officer Jones. He explained to me that I would be getting arrested tomorrow morning unless I paid $300 today. I explained that I am not fully employed and I am behind on a lot of bills. He stated again he would have officers at my house to arrest me and I would face 45 days of jail time for not paying this debt then I wouldn't have a job at all. I sarcastically asked if he was a psychic and if so could he tell me if I would be losing my house and when would I get a job. He told me I would be losing my house and I would not get a job because I'll be in jail. As angry as I was I asked his name, position, and company he represented. He stated his name as Officer Bryan (or Brian) Jones, Notification Officer, and K S Investigative Department.
they called me on 05/31/2010 saying i was being investigated for a paydayloan that i did not do saying it was going to the courts. the one i spoke never provided a last name only the first name which was Larry. wanted me to fax my info to a David Mcfarland. i asked him to mail me proof of the loan and said he would only provide that after it was paid. I talked to several law inforcement offices and they told me it was a scam
MORE ON FAKE DEBT COLLECTORS
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-904-425-9141
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/call4action/17285785/detail.html
http://www.800helpfla.com/newsletter/2008/092008.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ks_debt_collection.html latest release of information on this scam
http://www.wvago.gov/internetloanscam.cfm
If you are targeted by these criminals, be sure to report them to all the following federal and state law enforcement agencies (most of which you can do online or over the phone):
1. The U.S. Secret Service is responsible for protecting the country's financial infrastructure and payment systems from international and domestic threats. Call or write your local Secret Service field office to alert them to the details of this attempted extortion. The addresses and phone numbers for the local Secret Service field offices are listed at http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml or in your phone book.
2. Alert the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov Be sure to tell the FBI that you are being targeted by extortionists over the phone. And if the crooks claim to be law enforcement or lawyers, officers of the court or bankers, be sure to include that information in your report.
3. File a complaint with your local police. Most police departments will take a report over the phone. Be sure to tell them that you're being targeted by an extortionist and give them all the details.
4. File a complaint your state's attorney general, the contact information for whom is at www.wvago.gov
5. File a complaint online with The Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
If these crooks call back, promise them nothing, pay them nothing and tell them nothing other than that you know they're a scam and that you've reported them to law enforcement. (And be sure to report them to all the agencies above each time they call you.)
By the way, here's just a small sample of numbers used by this particular group of scammers. Read the reports and you'll see the same pattern time and again -- phony organization names, thick foreign accents, and oddly worded threats that are so melodramatic and ridiculous that it's laughable:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-771-9249 Scammer posting here as GARY and GARRY JONES
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-860-4509 Scammer posting here as Mike Henderson
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-212-500-0839 Scammer posting here as Ricky
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-201-244-7722 Scammer posting as Carole, David Brown and Amanda
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-626-200-4646 Scammer placing false postings at this new number as silshan kanniue and Tina – preparing a new number to use.
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-424-354-4270 Scammer placing false postings as Rose
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-785-4479 Scammer posting as Robert
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-909-327-4870 Scammer placing false postings as Marry
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143 Scammer placing false postings as Karen Miller
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-561-300-8018 Scammer placing false postings as Marco Polo (real original)
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-226-7488 Scammer placing false postings as SAM, David S
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-706-7463 Scammer placing false postings as George
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-209-349-7382 Scammer placing false postings as Towanda Robinson, Shannon Walsh, Jack Dawson and Cynthia
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-760-514-0132 scammer placing false postings as Suzy01, Johanna Hall, Cindie McMellon, Michael Dublin, Mark Williams, Carol and Rio (800notes removed some of the scammers posts because the all came from the SAME IP ADDRESS)
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-209-797-2212 scammer placing false posting as Jaison Connar
Scam alert: Bogus debt collectors
By Leslie McFadden • Bankrate.com
Monday, Aug. 3
Posted 2 p.m.
Bankrate reporter Leslie McFadden contributed this entry.
This scam isn't technically about credit cards, but it is scary enough to post a warning. The Better Business Bureau issued an alert today saying consumers across the country are getting phone calls from bogus debt collectors claiming default on a payday loan. Of course, the consumer needs to pay a large fee to avoid arrest -- as much as $1,000.
The caller poses as a lawyer, and may threaten extradition to face trial if the consumer doesn't pay up immediately.
What makes these calls alarming -- and perhaps convincing -- is that the perpetrators reference the consumer's personal information, such as the person's Social Security number, driver's license number, previous bank account numbers, home address -- even personal references.
"The amount of information they have is really troubling," says BBB spokeswoman Alison Southwick. She adds that the amount of data points to a possible security breach.
Spread the word to your friends and family: Don't give out personal or financial information to an unknown caller. Scammers can spoof Caller ID to display different numbers, so trust your instincts over technology.
The BBB offers these tips:
• Ask the debt collector to provide official documentation which substantiates the debt.
• Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the phone until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the call.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online if the caller is abusive, uses threats or otherwise violates federal telemarketing laws or the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau online if you believe a debt collector is trying to scam you.
I woke up this morning only for my wife to tell me there was a message on her cell phone for me. It was a guy by the name of Eric Smith. He announced himself as Officer Smith. He was explaining that I owed a payday loan and I needed to pay it. He went on to explain that if he did not hear from me or my attorney that I could face jail time, officers would go to my job and harass me, and I would be fired. After hearing this, I immediately called back. The number I was given by him to call was 210-787-3390.
When I called back I immediately demanded to speak with Eric Smith. I was transferred to "his supervisor," Bryan (or Brian) Jones. He also introduced himself as Officer Jones. He explained to me that I would be getting arrested tomorrow morning unless I paid $300 today. I explained that I am not fully employed and I am behind on a lot of bills. He stated again he would have officers at my house to arrest me and I would face 45 days of jail time for not paying this debt then I wouldn't have a job at all. I sarcastically asked if he was a psychic and if so could he tell me if I would be losing my house and when would I get a job. He told me I would be losing my house and I would not get a job because I'll be in jail. As angry as I was I asked his name, position, and company he represented. He stated his name as Officer Bryan (or Brian) Jones, Notification Officer, and K S Investigative Department.
I just get a call today as well for someone name Danny Foster, also call himself “Officer Foster” as well. I hung up on him the first time. He called he back and say.. How dare you hung up on me, you better take my number down and or you will get yourself arrested. Give me the #. I called 911 right after that. and check my credit score, all is good . None negative affected.
Please don't let these crazy scams get your money.