Bogus,
Did research online, a lady states that there is a "case" being put against me in a civil court, and that I have to call back immediately with or without my lawyer to have it settled. She claims this but says this but does not say what official office she is from. i looked on the internet and believe this number to belong to a bill collector even though I have no outstanding debt. SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be careful!!!!!
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!!!
Received a call from a young lady at this number who said to call 240-764-4255 as civil litigation is about to be filed against me and I need to speak to an investigator and give him a case code. I called once and a black lady answered and said she would transfer me to the litigation department. The line went dead. I called back and went right into "Inspector Joe Furguson's" voice mail. That number is cited elsewhere in this list as being a bill collector.
Harassing and unethical bill collection agency. Did not identify themselves as a bill collector. Refused to validate the debt, gave a "case code" and said I was going to jail unless I called back.