Received a VM from someone named Frank Jackson. Doesn't leave a company name, but says there is a legal matter and as this is his third attempt he will be putting on my file trying to escape legal action. I have not called back, and I don't plan on it. He only calls every two weeks or so. Anyone know who this is and is this the same person from FL who is a scammer?
Received a VM from someone named Frank Jackson. Doesn't leave a company name, but says there is a legal matter and as this is his third attempt he will be putting on my file trying to escape legal action. I have not called back, and I don't plan on it. He only calls every two weeks or so. Anyone know who this is and is this the same person from FL who is a scammer?
I just received a phone call at my work number as well from 469-948-4463. Some guy stating his name is Shaun. He claim I owed a payday loan. He asked if I had an attorney so he can fax over the affidavit. I asked if he could fax me the information. He claim he could not and instead read the claim to me over the phone. Said that this is a record line and to please do not interrupt him and to hold questions to the end. (LOL, SMH) He went on to say that if I didn't want to resolve this matter today, then tomorrow the paperwork will be filed with my state and further legal action was going to be taken. He went on to say that they will request my pay stubs from my employer and I will be arrested. So naturally I was upset and thought I would just pay it off and then fight it later. So I asked could he at least tell me who the pay day loan was through. He told me if I choose to resolve the loan with them today all that information will be sent to me via mail. He kept saying don't worry about it (several times). Then he put me on the phone with a Martin Brooks. So I tried to get more information from him that I couldn't get from Shaun, He did not deviate from the jargon. At this point I realize this has got to be a scam...so I went along with them just to see what they wanted from me. He said that if I was to go to court, with the amount due, late charges, court and attorney fees I would owe $1475 but If I resolve it with them today I could pay only $692. So I said ok what do you need. So I gave him an account number from an old closed out account from years ago. He then told me to fax him a statement allowing them authorization to withdraw money from that account and to provide my last 4SSN and don't forget to sign the fax (206-202-0955) notice the numbers have two different area codes, to close the deal.
He said he will call me back when this is resolved. I never sent the fax. He called back in 1hr. Asked me if there was a problem. Then I told him that I researched the number and company name found that both were associated with scams.. Then I asked him can I speak to Frank Jackson....he hung up. I called back from another phone and asked if someone called me by accident and the guy never said his name nor the company name and asked me my name to see if anyone called. I gave him a bogus name and he put me on hold and then after a minute he disconnected the call.
I wanted this message to be very detail just in case someone else get this call. Be careful. Obviously they have people who fall for this type of scam. Report it as soon as you can to your bank, BBB and FBI. Heck go to the local police if you feel the need.
Consumer Alert: Attorney General warns Kansans of debt collection scam
January 29, 2010 -- Attorney General Steve Six is cautioning Kansas consumers about telephone calls from apparent fake debt collectors who are impersonating law enforcement officers in an effort to extort money from consumers. Consumers are warned to not submit payments to these fraudulent debt collectors.
When calling, the scammers most often state they are attempting to collect a debt related to an internet payday loan obtained by the consumer, but which the consumer never repaid. Consumers state they have never obtained such a loan or paid off the loan years ago. The scam artists have most recently identified themselves as ACS, National Affidavit Processing Department and United Financial Crime Division, but may use additional phony names. It appears the phone numbers used by the scammers are “spoofed” numbers, so that the number appearing on a consumer’s caller ID is not the actual number of where the call originated. It appears the calls in question may be originating from outside the United States.
When questioned, the individual calling refuses to disclose the full name or address of the collection agency they claim to represent. These scammers have been able to provide consumers with identifying information, such as the consumer’s social security number, home address, e-mail address, names of family members and the consumer’s computer IP address. Since the callers are able to provide valid personal information, consumers may become confused and believe they are being contacted in regard to a legitimate debt.
If the initial debt collection scam is unsuccessful, consumers have been re-contacted months later with the scammers posing as law enforcement officers or officers of the court. Typically, the consumer is threatened with arrest for fraud or some other fictitious crime unless the consumer agrees to immediately wire money via Western Union. The fictitious officers strive to frighten and confuse consumers into compliance by using legal sounding terms such as “We’re filing an affidavit against you” or by stating a lawsuit has been or is in the process of being filed against the consumer.
A hallmark of each scam has been calling consumers repeatedly at their place of employment. This scam hit home when an employee of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office was repeatedly called both on her cell phone and at work. Despite the employee’s repeated verbal disputes, the caller refused to provide any identifying information to allow her to send a written dispute. The scammer also continued to call her numerous times a day regarding a payday loan she denied obtaining. Two months later, she was again contacted by telephone by an individual identifying himself as an “officer”.
“I denied owing the debt and refused to pay without being provided validation of the debt. I was then told, ‘If that’s the case, I will have local law enforcement come to your place of business and drag you out kicking and screaming’,” stated the employee.
“It is important for consumers to know their rights under the law,” Attorney General Six said. “If a consumer is receiving calls from a debt collection company and believe it is a scam, I encourage them to contact our office immediately.”
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors are required to send consumers a written notice within five days of the initial contact. The notification should contain information such as the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed and a statement informing the consumer they have thirty days to contact the debtor in writing to dispute the debt or request validation of the debt. In addition, legitimate debt collectors are prohibited by the FDCPA from making false or misleading representations, such as the consumer has committed a crime, implying nonpayment will result in the consumer’s arrest, or using the threat of violence.
More information is available on the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf.
To register a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, call 1(800) 432-2310 or visit www.ksag.org.