I also received the same call. They called my work and left a message with my co-worker saying to his name was James White to call immediately because there was a legal case being filed. I returned their call the next day and the person who answered had a heavy accent and when i asked to speak to James White he asked for my name and said he wasn't in his office and he would call back. The so called James White returned my call he gave me a case file # cfi150781 which i know is not a real case #. He read all my info incoluding my address my social n my bank account # as well as my routing #. He stated that i was issued a loan that i never ppaid back and i could settle it for $2,000. I asked him if the so called loan was deposited in my account and he answered yes. So I told him i have all my bank statements and i never received a loan so if he can give me my court date because it would be settled
I also received the same call. They called my work and left a message with my co-worker saying to his name was James White to call immediately because there was a legal case being filed.The # they left was 585-331-8545. I returned their call the next day and the person who answered had a heavy accent and when i asked to speak to James White he asked for my name and said he wasn't in his office and he would call back. The so called James White returned my call he gave me a case file # cfi150781 which i know is not a real case #. He read all my info incoluding my address my social n my bank account # as well as my routing #. He stated that i was issued a loan that i never ppaid back and i could settle it for $2,000. I asked him if the so called loan was deposited in my account and he answered yes. So I told him i have all my bank statements and i never received a loan so if he can give me my court date because it would be settled
I just received the same type of call from some stupid Indian speaking guy. He said he was calling me from PA. He said his name was Kevin Hood. He gave me a CFI # and the phone number of 717-779-1550 but when I called back it will ring twice then go to a busy signal. He said I need to get my lawyer to call and straiten it out. He said I received a loan and never paid it back. I NEVER received any money from anyone. I told him I can't afford an attorney. This is crazy. My question is; What can do to get these people for fraud? They should not be allowed to do this. I mean he had my social security # and all. As if I am not struggling enough. I have 3 kids and I am on unemployment.
Consumer Alert: Attorney General warns Kansans of debt collection scam
January 29, 2010 -- Attorney General Steve Six is cautioning Kansas consumers about telephone calls from apparent fake debt collectors who are impersonating law enforcement officers in an effort to extort money from consumers. Consumers are warned to not submit payments to these fraudulent debt collectors.
When calling, the scammers most often state they are attempting to collect a debt related to an internet payday loan obtained by the consumer, but which the consumer never repaid. Consumers state they have never obtained such a loan or paid off the loan years ago. The scam artists have most recently identified themselves as ACS, National Affidavit Processing Department and United Financial Crime Division, but may use additional phony names. It appears the phone numbers used by the scammers are “spoofed” numbers, so that the number appearing on a consumer’s caller ID is not the actual number of where the call originated. It appears the calls in question may be originating from outside the United States.
When questioned, the individual calling refuses to disclose the full name or address of the collection agency they claim to represent. These scammers have been able to provide consumers with identifying information, such as the consumer’s social security number, home address, e-mail address, names of family members and the consumer’s computer IP address. Since the callers are able to provide valid personal information, consumers may become confused and believe they are being contacted in regard to a legitimate debt.
If the initial debt collection scam is unsuccessful, consumers have been re-contacted months later with the scammers posing as law enforcement officers or officers of the court. Typically, the consumer is threatened with arrest for fraud or some other fictitious crime unless the consumer agrees to immediately wire money via Western Union. The fictitious officers strive to frighten and confuse consumers into compliance by using legal sounding terms such as “We’re filing an affidavit against you” or by stating a lawsuit has been or is in the process of being filed against the consumer.
A hallmark of each scam has been calling consumers repeatedly at their place of employment. This scam hit home when an employee of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office was repeatedly called both on her cell phone and at work. Despite the employee’s repeated verbal disputes, the caller refused to provide any identifying information to allow her to send a written dispute. The scammer also continued to call her numerous times a day regarding a payday loan she denied obtaining. Two months later, she was again contacted by telephone by an individual identifying himself as an “officer”.
“I denied owing the debt and refused to pay without being provided validation of the debt. I was then told, ‘If that’s the case, I will have local law enforcement come to your place of business and drag you out kicking and screaming’,” stated the employee.
“It is important for consumers to know their rights under the law,” Attorney General Six said. “If a consumer is receiving calls from a debt collection company and believe it is a scam, I encourage them to contact our office immediately.”
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors are required to send consumers a written notice within five days of the initial contact. The notification should contain information such as the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed and a statement informing the consumer they have thirty days to contact the debtor in writing to dispute the debt or request validation of the debt. In addition, legitimate debt collectors are prohibited by the FDCPA from making false or misleading representations, such as the consumer has committed a crime, implying nonpayment will result in the consumer’s arrest, or using the threat of violence.
More information is available on the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf.
To register a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, call 1(800) 432-2310 or visit www.ksag.org.