The "good luck as this situation unfolds" line and the vanilla-sounding alias names for the reps strongly suggest a South Asian fake debt collector. If you really want to know how they've found you and Gramma and the neighbor's pet ferret, think back to when you or someone related gave away a pile of sensitive data to strangers through an online application form.
To be clear, this is extortion dressed as debt collection. The agents' horrid threats are empty and their conduct is illegal. As early as possible it's critical to determine if your collector is domestic or yet another South Asian faker. The former you can sue into submission; the latter tend to be out of reach.
My notes from October 2011 on payday loan and "hot check" collectors are linked below.
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-429fb24ec2162e3/ ... -numbers-here-2
See also this FTC alert: "Fake Debt Collectors"
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
(former title: ''Who's Calling? That Debt Collector Could Be a Fake'')
The following will be useful if you have a US domestic collector calling, and will in general help you sniff out the frauds:
official FTC guidance and staff opinions on the FDCPA, PDF copy of the Act
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
CFPB Q&A on debt collection practices
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... bt%20Collection
This number keeps showing up on my cell phone and calling me on my job. The person says it is an urgent matter but they do not name the company or state what it is regarding. The first person never stated
their name. This seemed like a scam so I looked it up on the web
They didn't even get to tell me anything before I questioned them! I asked for their law license numbers and everything and who is suing me, they made up some name Michelle Brown from California, and. I live in Ohio! This is a total scam! I cussed them out so bad, told them I called the FBI, and the FTC, they hung up! They aren't getting a dime out of me!
this man has called my wife also,please let me know where to find him...... im not the one to mess with. i will fly out to him and show him a real good time, said we will be getting papers at work to be sued that we have done check deseption etc... wow. what a morron.sombody please let me know where to find this guy
Got a call from this number. When I picked up, the line was silent. They called back and left a message. I blocked the phone number because 1) my name is not Willie and 2) the number they called was my cell phone. This is a fraudulent call. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY AND HAVE THIS NUMBER BLOCKED.
"This message is intended for Willie Snap. Willie, as soon as you receive this message, I need you or your retained attorney of record to return the call. The issue at hand is extremely time-sensitive. My name is {unintelligible} and the hotline to my division is 415 952 5630. I repeat it's 415 952 5630. Don't disregard this message and do return the call. Now, if you don't return the call and we don't hear from your attorney either, the only thing I can do is wish you good luck as this situation unfolds on you. Goodbye."
Got a phone call saying I was about to be arrested and there was a warrant out for my arrest on a loan. His name was Michael. Very rude, threaten me and very disrespectful. He has been harassing my home phone number that my parents live at and making them worry. This needs to be stopped.