If you have been scammed before, then you should have researched how debt collection is supposed to work. Also, that is why they keep calling you, because you are listed as an easy mark. In all cases, it is up to the debt collector to prove you owe the debt, and that they have the legal right to collect it. It doesn't matter what they call themselves mediator/arbitrator/law firm/or any other name they can make up. If they are collecting money for an alleged debt, then they must follow the FDCPA, starting with this:
Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes. The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.
It is at that time that you then send them a certified, return receipt debt validation letter. If you do not receive the dunning letter and/or it does not contain the exact information I have listed, you can be 110% sure you are being conned by crooks. Perhaps you should take the time to educate yourself? Start here, and make sure you file complaints on their criminal activities as well:
Read up on your rights here and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices: http://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general
I just received a call fro 432-294-8707 phone number and they said that I received a payday loan on 2011 and they are calling to collect 980.00 today to keep it out of court. I am wondering if this is a scam. I have been scammed before by these types of calls.
A phone call, email or text message from a supposed debt collector is not legally sufficient evidence of debt.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) includes statements such as this:
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money. ["Written" means snailmailed - US Mail ... not emailed or texted]
Therefore, if that caller wants you to pay immediately, before you get the written validation notice via snailmail, or if the caller wants payment via Green Dot, MoneyGram, Western Union, prepaid gift card or other untraceable means, then the call is definitely not legitimate.
IF you wish to communicate with the supposed collector / creditor, visit the following page, for example "Action Letters" to snailmail:
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/debtcollection/
If you KNOW you owe no money, or believe the call was from a fake debt collector, please take the time to read this:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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Please reply to this post, to let us know you read it, or have taken suitable actions to protect yourself.
If you have been scammed before, then you should have researched how debt collection is supposed to work. Also, that is why they keep calling you, because you are listed as an easy mark. In all cases, it is up to the debt collector to prove you owe the debt, and that they have the legal right to collect it. It doesn't matter what they call themselves mediator/arbitrator/law firm/or any other name they can make up. If they are collecting money for an alleged debt, then they must follow the FDCPA, starting with this:
Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes. The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.
It is at that time that you then send them a certified, return receipt debt validation letter. If you do not receive the dunning letter and/or it does not contain the exact information I have listed, you can be 110% sure you are being conned by crooks. Perhaps you should take the time to educate yourself? Start here, and make sure you file complaints on their criminal activities as well:
Read up on your rights here and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices: http://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general
ID themselves as "Mediation Department", then, after a minute or so of haggling, said they were "Richards and Associates". Wouldn't give me any more information.
Something called R & A Group also calls from: 803-393-4577
866-333-7884
Total scam. Ignore and block andy calls from this number of this "R &A Group".