I have gotten this EXACT same call every 3 months or so for the past 2 years. It really is a scam!
Each time I get these calls, it's a different phone number to call back - but always the SAME script from a foreign man with a heavy accent.
After the first time I got the call, I was leary so I called them back real serious and polite stating that I was an atorney for <my name> (they suggested I have one contact them), to get this matter cleared up legally. After asking for some standard questions a real lawyer would ask (their company name, billing address, account info, court document numbers...etc) they refused to answer then got beligerant, rude and mean beyond your wildest dreams. Then they started swearing, yelling at me, calling me and <my name> a criminal and ended by telling me that I was going to be raped and beated! (yeah, that really stopped me cold). I never did that again, it was very disturbing!!!
Atorney General said to NEVER call back the numbers, or verify that they have contacted the person they ask for or verify any information they have on you. Let it go to voicemail if you can, then ignore. Remove your name from your voicemail greeting. Keep greeting generic "sorry I missed your call, leave a message".
Hard to find these jerks because they buy a bunch of pre-paid phones from walmart/drustores and use those until they are done then throw them away and buy other phones. They usually buy with cash and are out of the country most of the time.
Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for it, the FDCPA requires it), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER. Scammers are using bought/hacked loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.
This message is intented for firstname lastname. Firstname, the very second that you receive this message, I need you or your retained attorney of our[though I couldn't truly make out if he said our or something else] records to return the call. The issue at hand is extremely time sensitive. My name is pETER and my callback number is 347-753-8166. Again that is 347-753-8182. DON"T disregard this message, return the call. Now, Firstname, if you don't return the call and I don't hear from your attorney either the only thing that I can do is wish you good luck as this situation unfolds on you. Goodbye and best of luck.
I have gotten this EXACT same call every 3 months or so for the past 2 years. It really is a scam!
Each time I get these calls, it's a different phone number to call back - but always the SAME script from a foreign man with a heavy accent.
After the first time I got the call, I was leary so I called them back real serious and polite stating that I was an atorney for <my name> (they suggested I have one contact them), to get this matter cleared up legally. After asking for some standard questions a real lawyer would ask (their company name, billing address, account info, court document numbers...etc) they refused to answer then got beligerant, rude and mean beyond your wildest dreams. Then they started swearing, yelling at me, calling me and <my name> a criminal and ended by telling me that I was going to be raped and beated! (yeah, that really stopped me cold). I never did that again, it was very disturbing!!!
Atorney General said to NEVER call back the numbers, or verify that they have contacted the person they ask for or verify any information they have on you. Let it go to voicemail if you can, then ignore. Remove your name from your voicemail greeting. Keep greeting generic "sorry I missed your call, leave a message".
Hard to find these jerks because they buy a bunch of pre-paid phones from walmart/drustores and use those until they are done then throw them away and buy other phones. They usually buy with cash and are out of the country most of the time.
its all swell to ignore them and all, but I like to play around with the fools, i have received this phone call and they left the exact same voice mail, the funny thing is my chain of command (In the Army) got a phone call involving something along these lines for another soldier and recorded the message, and it was on there official blackberry so it was tracked down and that soldier doesn't get any more phone calls i wish they'd call my chain of command but i'm not going to give em the number