UPDATE: I took the call from them at 8 a.m. this morning and played into their game to get as much info as possible. They are reading from scripts, and if you ask them anything that goes off-script, they transfer you. I spoke to 3 people this morning: Louis Wilson, Heather Lawson and Ben Foster. In looking up Heather Lawson, I see complaints about this scam dating back to 2006!! Why can't we stop this?! This personal information should not be released when people apply for a payday loan.
When I asked for an address, they gave me 42 Broadway 5th Floor NY, NY 10004, and said they are the DCA Law Firm - Department of Corporate Affairs. In actuality, there IS a DCA at this address, but it is the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.
When "Ben Foster" no longer felt like making up stories to answer my questions (such as "If this was in collections, why haven't I received a written notice within 5 days of initial contact, as per the law under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)?"), he said they would go ahead and process my file and we could deal with it at the courthouse on Monday. I sweetly answered "Oh yes, let's go ahead and do that." He was a bit surprised and then asked for my attorney's info, so I said "Yes, he definitely wants to talk to you" and gave him the info. Then I told him that we were aware this is a scam, that I have already reported him to the FTC and FBI, and that all calls were being recorded. I told him to never ever call here again or he would be the one showing up at the courthouse. I hung up. No callback yet. I am sick to my stomach with what these people are doing to scared, financially-strapped people.
A company called American Legal Services uses this number and about a dozen other numbers. They have been calling me for almost a year. I have told them more than 100 times that I do not know the person that they are calling for, that he doesn't live in my home, and to stop calling me. They leave threatening messages on my answering machine, and call throughout the day Sunday - Saturday. Several of their calls have bordered on sexual harassment. They called my house 23 times in 2 1/2 days. I have been called a lazy American, rude, and told to shut up. They refuse to give me their correct address, phone number, or fax me information about the alleged loan. At first I just blocked their phone numbers, but they got wise and when they call it is no longer available, so I can't block them anymore. Threats of legal action don't phase them. Every bit of information that they have given to me is bogus. I was told to settle the matter I could send them personal information (social security number, a copy of my drivers license, bank account information, etc.), or I could give them my credit card information and they could deduct $2000 for the loan. I have called the BBB and FTC and without legitimate information they cannot do anything. Well, Time Is Money so today I started engaging them in hour long conversations from everything to the weather to what I am having for dinner, and it really throws them off of their game. The conversations on their part get louder and louder, and they get really frustrated because if they are on the phone with me they can't scam anyone else, and they are losing money. They are going to continue to call me regardless of what I say, so I might as well have some fun!
The same company called me for almost a year now. They call me a minimum of 3 times a day from Sunday - Saturday. In 2 1/2 days they called me 23 times. They told me that they were calling on behalf of Pay Day Loan, Cash Partners of America, and Cash America. They use a different name every time they call. I have told them that I am not the person who allegedly took out a loan, that I do not know the person who took out the loan, and that the person that they are trying to contact does not live in my home. They called me 5 times so far today. The person that I spoke to said that if I wanted them to stop calling that I could either provide him with personal information (bank account information, a copy of my drivers license, or my social security number, along with my name and address) to prove that I am not Michael Tribbet (the person who allegedly took out the loan), or I could give him my credit card information so that he could deduct $2000 to pay for the loan. I have called the BBB and FTC and they cannot do anything unless I can provide them with their actual phone number and address. The CA number that they use is false. They are actually calling from India. I have repeatedly asked them for their address, phone number, and for them to fax me the information about the loan, but they either refuse to give me the information, or they give me false information. They have left threatening messages on my answering machine, and some of their conversations have bordered on sexual harassment. TIME IS MONEY so today I decided to keep him on the phone for as long as I could. I talked to him about everything from the weather to what I planned to have for dinner. My conversations with him grew louder and louder as he became more and more frustrated. Since this company is going to continue to call me I might as well have some fun with them. Besides, if he is wasting his time talking to me, he isn't making any money or scamming someone else.
I just recieved a call today from LLC stating I owed them 5484 dollars and they are submitting to the court tomorrow morning for 3 criminal charges......Cash Partners of America I cant find no info on them at all about a payday loan in 2008, whats scary is they even knew my bank name and my friends names as well as where i worked. From reading through all this why hasnt the BBB closed them down yet?
they scammed me too. I was in tears. they said I was going to be arrested the following day at my place of employment. they had my address, my ex-husband's current phone number and my old bank account information. they said there were three criminal charges pending against me and they needed to speak with my attorney, the guy said my attorney needed to be aware the papers were being finalized and filed the next morning and I would be arrested. he said i owed $5484.87, but that if I paid it right away they would reduce it to $1500.00, but I needed to fax them a signed letter stating I admitted owing money (which I do not) on an account I never opened nor authorized. If I didn't do it they had "tough guys" that would make sure I paid the $5000. I was terrified. The next morning I called an attorney, she said they are most likely a scam company. She said unless they will provide proof of their existence there isn't anything that can be done from a legal stand point - which of course they refuse to provide. They called my place of work 10 times in one day. the names they used were kevin wilson, John Davis and a third i can't remember. the area code is new york on the new numbers they are using, and given the crappy connection i'm guessing it's a cell phone. they have to provide written proof of debt, they have to prove they are a legitimate company, it is illegal for them to threaten you in any way and the types of charges they claim are being brought against their victims are completely bogus and any real attorney can spot that immediately. unfortunately, i'm not an attorney, had never dealt with anything like this before and because i'm an honest person - i assumed they were being honest with me. I was scammed - be careful with these guys.
I too got a call from LLC las firm,today, they said I owed over $5000 for a payday loan, I am in chapter 7 bk so I asked for their info to add them to the bk but they would not give me any, no address or anything. They threatened to "download" charges with the state for banking fraud and other charges. Since I have not had any loans in some time I figured this was some kind of scam but it is kind of scary regardless. Thanks for the info I was kinda freaking out until I read that others have had the same experience. I think I will report them today.