I received the same threats. .did anyone turn themselves in? Im confused on what I should do. Is this even legal and can you go to jail for a unpaid $200 loan?
I received the same threats. .did anyone turn themselves in? Im confused on what I should do. Is this even legal and can you go to jail for a unpaid $200 loan?
If you had committed a crime, guess what? The cops would just show up and arrest you. They wouldn't call you, telling you to "turn yourself in." Per the FDCPA, it is illegal for debt collectors (but I'm sure your callers are fraudsters) to threaten people with arrest. No, you cannot go to jail for an unpaid loan (although there are cases of people going to jail because they had missed a court date, and subsequently did not comply with a default judgement against them).
Report your caller to the FTC, FBI, Dept of Justice and your state's Attorney General. Per the FDCPA, you should not pay any caller who refuses/can't/won't MAIL a debt validation letter showing you owe a debt and that they have the legal right to collect said debt. And any caller who refuses to mail a DVL is either a scammer or a junk debt buyer anyway, and can't actually prove you owe a debt.
http://dfi.wa.gov/consumers/alerts/cashnet-payday.htm
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Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans
Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010 FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
— filed under: Press Release
The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.
According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.
The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim’s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims’ relatives, friends, and employers.
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http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
And see:
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
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http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..