They are in violation of multiple aspects of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act with the statements they made to you and it is doubtful they have any ability to sue you in court. If, or more likely, when they call back keep demanding written proof of the debt and proof they have a legal right to collect that debt in your state sent via US Mail as required by the above law. Do not acknowledge that you owe the debt over the phone. You can also remind them that federal law requires they send you the required proof within 5 days of initial contact. Keep logs of dates and times of calls and the content of the call, it could come in handy later if you decide to pursue action against them for FDCPA violations.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if he:
•is seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
•refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
•asks you for personal financial or sensitive information; or
•exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.
If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:
•Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.•Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
•Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft – charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
•Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
•Report the call. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.
I got the same message as Kris, above, from 347-578-9284. The caller did not identify herself, did not identify the company or agency she was calling from nor did she state who she was trying to reach. Fortunately in this country we do not forfeit rights to contest a fraud or any other change at any point in the process. This is just a scam and I would recommend not even returning the phone call. Fraud is a legal citing and is addressed by government or policing agencies and is not addressed via a phone call and a voice message.
Just got the same message, but at was at my place of employment. This is getting out of CONTROL with these people. What else can we do? I have done everything from reporting them to the FBI, ATTY GEN office, FTC, and everyone is saying there is nothing that can be done.
I got a voice message today from the same number(347)578-9284 she only said there 2 counts filed against me in my county and I needed to call the office ASAP before charges were filled! I called and Greg Shaw said the company was GolMan Associates a Pre-trial Processing Company. He couldn't give me any information but told me I owe $500.00 even for a loan I took out with Instant- Cash. I have never borrowed money fro
This company and I told Greg this and he said the lawyers would pursue charges against me if I didn't pay 500.00 by 12 midnight... I'm confused ! I can't find this company and place on the Internet! I refuse to pay them!
I got a voice message today from the same number(347)578-9284 she only said there 2 counts filed against me in my county and I needed to call the office ASAP before charges were filled! I called and Greg Shaw said the company was GolMan Associates a Pre-trial Processing Company. He couldn't give me any information but told me I owe $500.00 even for a loan I took out with Instant- Cash. I have never borrowed money fro
This company and I told Greg this and he said the lawyers would pursue charges against me if I didn't pay 500.00 by 12 midnight... I'm confused ! I can't find this company and place on the Internet! I refuse to pay them!