These people called my granddaughter, telling them that I was in legal trouble. I called them and talked to a "Mr. Gilchrist". He said that I had 1 hour to resolve this or the lawyer would file papers. I told him that I would call him back. I did, but with MY lawyer on the line. She began to ask him questions and he became irritated. She asked him to fax the debt information on their letterhead so that we could verify the debt. He said "our fax is not working". She asked for his first name and he said "my first name is of no consequence". He said that he would tell the "lawyer" that I refused to pay and my lawyer asked to speak to him. Then he hung up. These people are trying to scam people out of money! Do not pay them! I googled them and got this page.
These morons called us. Does anyone know if they are even licensed?I tried to find the attorney and could not find any legit info on him and I checked to see if they were licensed to collect in Florida and nothing came up for them! Are they just one big scam? We had our identity stolen so this whole thing makes me nervous!
If someone is calling you from a so-called "Law Center" as stated above and are threatening you about a debt you know NOTHING about, be very aware that you have NOTHING to fear.
See the website of the FDCPA (put in place by your government to protect you from these scammers, as well as keeping real debt collectors in line...):
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...edit/cre27.pdf
They say they access a "police database"... They say you might be arrested... They say you have to "by law" abide in what they are telling you to do... They threaten with any kind of tough talk... ALL WRONG! See section 807...
You want them to cease immediately? Cite (and follow through with) section 809 of the FDCPA...
On the other hand, there are penalties for violating these laws. See section 813. Have a pen and paper ready to log each FDCPA regulation that they violate. Better yet, if it is within your legal right and availability, record the call. When you have these violations logged, turn them into your State Attorney General... GO AFTER THEM.
Awareness is the most effective defense for a lot of things in today's society. Thankfully we do have internet forums to alert our fellow citizens of these facts during these tough times. These predators prey on your fear are hoping for ignorance. Spread the word.
I am a self employed individual who has for years received all kinds of messages, calls, emails, pertaining to these types of scams. Quite frankly I'm sick of it. None of them have fooled me, but quite frankly a lot of them are an annoyance and can waste time if you let them. It's easiest to just hang up on all of them with an abrupt "do not call here again!" However, not everyone can afford to do that, as some really are in trouble with debt and some of these calls may be legit. Therefore, it is good to be well acquainted with the above site, and be prepared to take action of your own. Most often, the real debt collectors can be just as rude and violating of these rights as the scammers. They can ALL be held accountable for violations.
So, good luck people. Fight fire with fire. If almost everyone knew about these laws, these scammers would indeed fade away. Especially because of what can be done according to section 813. Scammer would be busted, and some of the bad apples in the real collection agencies would fold from paying so many fines.
"Awareness is the most effective defense for a lot of things in today's society. Thankfully we do have internet forums to alert our fellow citizens of these facts during these tough times. These predators prey on your fear are hoping for ignorance. Spread the word".
One of the most intelligent posts I have read in recent memory. Thank you.
While there are legitimate collection agencies who do follow the law, there are scores of others who operate with impunity---and make no bones about the fact they have and WILL continue to operate in this fashion as long as there is money to be made and the government agencies(s) charged with guarding the henhouse does little (or nothing) to stop them. Currently there is NO incentive for these predators who have become unconsciously profitable off roughing up unsophisticated consumers and making their lives an interminable hell in the process. They know the penalties for violating existing consumer protection laws amount to little more than a slap on the hand and are "just another cost of doing business". A multi-million dollar fine and an empty promise "not to break the law again" means absolutely NOTHING to the Wall Street behemoths who back these predators with mountains of
cold, hard cash, powerful attorneys and lobbyists who pay those officials who are responsible for the oversight of and potential overhaul of the 34-year-old debt collection laws to do..... nothing. And, since it is painfully obvious that our government has NO intention of reigning these predators in anytime soon, it is up to each and every one of us (as this poster has stated), to keep ourselves informed in order to protect ourselves. There are several good sources on the internet. One is: http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/index.html. Another is: http://www.privacyrights.org/Debt-Collection. And, as always, a consumer law attorney is your best bet and can be found at: http://www.naca.net/
A Anthony Martinez called a co-worker of mine who I apparently used as a reference for a Quick Cash loan over a year ago. Told him it was to resolve a case and they needed to speak to me right away. I told him to tell them I was dead if they ever called again. He left a phone #800-741-7582, ext 108 and a ref #. Heard about these freaks on 20/20 and their harassment tactics and how they threaten to arrest people if they don't pay. They have no legal authority anywhere to influence the police. I suppose if I try to call them back and hit that extension it will record my cell# or house #.........piss on that - I'll call them the next time I'm at a hotel!