Got a call from a Veronica Gerald - who pulled a name out of a hat that I haven't heard in over 15 years. I wasn't home and she left a message. Called herself "Inspector Veronica Gerald" and gave a case number: RBD 4565.
Caller ID: 240-235-5617
Number to call back: 240-235-5614
The name she gave me was a friend of mine years ago - said I was listed as a 'direct contact'. I haven't heard from this guy in a long long time.
This is a group of people currently taking advantage of people across the United States. They go by a variety of names and phone numbers -- some of the names they use include Global Asset Investigations, Worldwide Recovery Services, Worldwide Asset Investigation Services and North American Asset Investigation Bureau (NAAIB). Last year they were operating out of Cleveland, OH, until they were shut down -- the Cleveland BBB named them as one of the top ten scams of 2007 (http://cleveland.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.asp ... 19642b&art=4334).
You can get more info here: http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/NAAIB.htm.
They will probably continue using this MD number until they get shut down again, then start using a new area code, but the MO is always the same: they call and identify themselves in a way that implies they are either working for a lawyer, the court system, or the police department (all of these misleading statements are illegal); tell you that there has been a civil case filed against you, they give you a case number, and tell you that you must contact them before a warrant is sworn out against you. When you contact them, they tell you that they are investigating a debt that is 10, 12, 15 or so years old; they'll name some bank you've never heard of, or a credit card you've never heard of. They'll have just enough information about you to make you nervous and they'll be phishing to find out more information. They'll tell you that the debt is some ridiculous amount -- let's say $10,200 for an example -- but if you're willing to pay today, they'll reduce it to, for example, $650. But they can't give you an address. Instead, they will ask for your bank account or credit card number. They'll tell you that if you don't settle on the phone with them that moment, a sheriff will appear at your door within 48 hours to arrest you. NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. Complaints have been filed to the AG of OH, MD, TX, NY, and IL, as well as to the FTC, FCC, and the FBI (as they are trying to illegally extort money over the phone). They often target the elderly and infirm. Do not speak with them, and save whatever messages they leave on your phone. If you get a phone call, file a complaint online with the following organizations:
http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/complaint.htm
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
as well as the Attorney General of your own state. Remember: whether the debt is yours or not, you should not be dealing with these people. They are not a legitimate organization.
PLEASE -- file a report. You were smart and savvy enough to do research on this number; not everyone is that lucky. REPORT THEM!!!
A man called and said that he was from the litigation dept and was looking for the previous owner of the property and I told them that they had the wrong number and the previous owner was deceased. He said he knew that but he was looking for two of his other family members. This a surely a scam and I don't advise anyone who gets a call from one of these numbers should not give those people your name or any info.
Same as the posts above. When I called back to be sure my number was taken off of their call lists, I got a rude lady who would not even identify the company of the location so I could report them to the local BBB in their area. A special investigater was going to have the sheriff come to my house and serve papers on me even though I was not the one they were looking for.