I received a voicemail regarding an old debt. The man stated that I was being sued for over $7,000 & they would threaten to show up at my home &/or workplace. When I called back a lady assisted me & stated that we can settle it out of court for about $600. They knew everything from my old e-mail address, to an old employer, & even a couple family member's names. As soon as I started to question her about the debt she hung up. That's when I googled the # & found similar posts related to that # so it was a relief, but still stressful.
This is a common ploy by criminals masquerading as debt collectors who are attempting to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged, go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished, be sued, and a variety of other variations on this, all for an alleged or nonexistent debt. One of the tricks they use is to call your work place, friends, or relatives repeatedly in an attempt to shame you into paying. They also use the “process server” ruse who calls and claims he is going to serve you, but then says you could avoid it by calling another number
Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes. The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.
Read up on your rights here, get template letters to send and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices: http://consumerfraudreporting.org/stateattorneygenerallist.php
I got a call from this woman said her name was Jennifer Anderson saying I got some payday loan back in 2012 which I didn't and I needed to pay today after stating I had no idea what this was about and I never got this loan they said that's fine they are going to pursue this matter and they will see me in court and I better have a good lawyer
#1 RED FLAG - pay now or else! #2. Did they give a company name & address and proof of the "debt"???
BigA has plenty of information about this SCAM just above your post.
Received 3rd call today. Today's call was that the time to settle had past and they are now taking court action for a debt I have never heard of. If I want to avoid court I needed to call immediately, presumably to settle.... Even though the time to settle has supposedly past.
I received a voicemail regarding an old debt. The man stated that I was being sued for over $7,000 & they would threaten to show up at my home &/or workplace. When I called back a lady assisted me & stated that we can settle it out of court for about $600. They knew everything from my old e-mail address, to an old employer, & even a couple family member's names. As soon as I started to question her about the debt she hung up. That's when I googled the # & found similar posts related to that # so it was a relief, but still stressful.