Omg!! my dad just got the same call stating that hiis brother was in an accident, my dad doesn't even have a brother. I searched the number and found out that it is a Cingular wireless number out of Orlando, Fl.
wife got this call today--freaked her out. although she was 99 percent sure it was a scam, that 1 percent still left her panicked until I got home from work. hope these [***] get caught. I also contacted the police, and there appears to be nothing they can do about it.
Idiots called my brother claiming that I ran over a person this past weekend. Told my brother to hand over $2000 to avoid a possible lawsuit. Pretty sure they are targeting latinos. Filthy b@stards.
They are targeting not only Latinos but anyone who may have filled out an online application for a payday loan.
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:
Made a complaint to FTC, very helpful, also contacted Consumer Protection Division. These scoudrels need to be stopped by all means. They are sociopaths that deserve maximum punishment. Educate family and friends.