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.
we never paid them... almost got us... til we looked online and saw this...
also we called the company we had a loan from... which we paid off.
they said no such company was involved in settling our file. We had paid it, and the proper collection agency was forwarded the funds to take care of this debt.
JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW...
Debts are usually settled for a lower amount than what is owed... never an extraordinary insane amount.... come on!?
I RECEIVED A MSG FROM CHRISTY WOODS FROM THE SAME NUMBER AND SHE LEFT THE SAME MESSAGE. I CALLED BACK AND I SPOKE WITH NICOLE, CHRISTY'S SUPERVISOR-. NICOLE SAID I WOULD BE SERVED WITH PAPERS AT MY JOB TOMORROW AT 11AM. SHE ALSO SAID THAT MY FINES AND COURT FEES WOULD ADD UP TO OVER 5000 DOLLARS. I TOLD HER I WOULD LOOK INTO A LAWYER ONCE I RECEIVED A COPY OF THE LAWSUIT. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS......