GOVGRANTS.com Making Random and RUDE Calls to People Pitching Fake Grants/Loans and Posing as Phony Debt Collectors, too
Caller ID Showing 408-587-2163
This BBB received a report from a Brazil, IN woman stating she got a call from the above number stating they wanted her routing # so they could give her a $5,000 grant. She said NO. They stated they were from WA State, but didn’t specify. The IN woman stated that when she said NO they were instantly rude and started cursing her out.
At www.bbb.org, this 408# takes you to a BBB report about fake collection calls misusing the name US Cash Advance, a legitimate and good-standing company. According to reports received by BBB, this number is connected to a variety of scams. In this particular case, the scammers using this # were attempting an advance loan scam.
In other cases regarding this number, the scammers accuse the victim of defaulting on a payday loan and claim they are being sued. The phony debt collector threatens that, if the victim doesn’t pay as much as $1,000 immediately via wire or by providing bank account or credit card numbers, he or she will be arrested. The scammers often have the victim’s Social Security, old bank account numbers or driver’s license numbers as well as home addresses, employer information and even the names of personal friends and professional references.
BBB is unable to locate the persons responsible for these calls.
BBB offers the following advice to consumers if they receive a suspicious telephone call about advance fee loan/grant offers:
• Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the phone until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the call.
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online if the caller is abusive, uses threats or otherwise violates federal telemarketing laws.
• File a complaint with BBB if you believe a loan agent is trying to scam you.
This is "Ameritrust Financial." The caller id said Five 9.
They make unsolicited calls to people about pre-approved credit cards. They tell you they need your bank name, routing number and account number to approve you.
In my case they told me they got my number from a creditor that recent denied me credit. They stated that by entering your account number their system gives them a green light or red light on which card you get but that the minimum is one for $2000. I gave the routing number, but didn't feel comfortable with the whole thing so while on the phone I googled the company and found many complaints about them where people said they gave their information and the company took $200 from their account and they were difficult to reach when calling back. Most people have said they never received a card although I read one who said they received a card for a catalog.
They called my cell phone and knew how to pronounce my name which is not easy to pronounce... i told them they had the wrong number and looked it up here
I received a call from this number (408-597-2163) a couple hours ago. When I answered, they hung up. Just now, I received a call from the same number but they hung up before I could answer. It is coming from California because my cell phone identifies the area code and tells me the state the call is coming from. I don't know where everyone else is but except the one who said he was in Texas. I'm in Missouri. I did get a call from scammers a few days ago but it was from an "unknown" number so I don't know if they are connected.
If this is happening to so many people, can't the authorities find who it is?