A man called today, with a heavy Indian accent. Claimed his name was William Jackson and asked to be called back (I was taking the call for someone else). He left the 347-286-7156 number, although something else altogether came up on the caller id. Said there was a lawsuit against the person's SSN and he needed a call back. I could hear a lot of noise in the background, like he was on a cell phone walking down a busy street.
This is a criminal extortion scam operating out of India. They are making the calls utilizing VOIP and the names of legitimate firms to make it appear the calls are originating from within the US. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting and/or buying consumers' personal identifying information from unscrupulous websites like the one you may have filled out an application with, and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.
ABC News released an investigative report on this scam in June. The FTC has indicted one of its ringleaders for criminal fraud:
I keep getting a call from a man name Eddie Johnson he has a India accent, with an American name so when i call this number back a man answers hello. When i ask for Eddie Johnson he said this is Max and I am his supervisor so you need to deal with me. he tells me i am going to be arrested and sued cause i owe someone called cash advance America money. I told him i would contact the company to see and he hung up on me. they keep calling me at work. I don't know how to get him to stop. If anyone knows what I can do to get they to stop calling please let me know.
This person by the name of Richard Spencer with the phone # 347-286-7156 said I had a loan with Advance Cash USA in May of 2011 and they would take me to court and have my check garnish, I ask him for paperwork showing my history with Adavance cash and of course he could not produce any paperwork. But sent me instead a letter with a settlement breakdown for $500. he said he would called my job. I did take some payday loans, but not one of them is called by the name Advance cash Usa and futhermore, these are 4 set of people who have called me in this manner asking for money and stateing they will take me to court.
I got a call from them at work today - When they don't get me on my cell they call persistently on my work line. They've threatended to keep on calling until I get fired or I pay them money for an advance that I have never taken out with them. They have called me from several #'s, the latest are: 347-898-2342 and 347-286-7156. I've already done a police report AND reported them to the BBB and FTC but they continue to call. The only way I have gotten the calls to stop is by having our IT person block these #'s (of which this will make the 5th or 6th one to block). They are frustrating and persistent and real jerkfaces when they call. I've told my bosses AND our HR Dept to tell them that I no longer work here and they STILL call! They're goal is to steal money at whatever cost!
these people keep calling saying that I owe for a loan that I didn't take out, said i would be arrested and lose my job and spend 6 months or more in jail. Its such bull so I don't answer my phone, but they call my work as well, I wish they could be stopped!!!!!!!!!!