Total scam....We called back and told them to file the subpoena and would have our lawyer contact them first thing in the morning......they hung up.....
Had a man named Michael Harris call me and leave me a message yesterday and I did not return the call and the next day he called my cell and I didnt answer so he called my work so at that point I called him back. He told me he was going to sue me for $1088 because I didnt pay a $300 loan from Instant Cash USA. He told me he was going to put a warrant out for my arrest and take my drivers license away from me. He had my whole SS# and the last four digits to my bank account. He then called my sister and told her she was the co signer and she laughed at him. He told me there would be a summons at my door in 24 hours and that I would have to fly to CA to go to court and then they would sue me for $6000. Call an atty and the police and these people are always doing this. Please watch out!!
I have been bothered by these folks since about Aug 09. They call me on average of one time per month and have threatened me with everything from lawsuits, incarceration, etc. The name of the person changes, but the most common is Michael Harris. I have checked the phone number to the call I received yesterday and it came from Yreka California. He left one threatening message yesterday and then called later. The second call came from the 530 number and when I answered it, and realized who it was, I simply told them to send me information regarding the issue via mail and I hung up. The called back 2 more times and I didn't answer. About 3 months ago, they actually called one of associates at work, and I am not sure how they even got that number, as it is not listed anywhere as an associate of mine. I have filed several complaints with the FTC. I have had pdl's in the past, and all have been repaid. I have never received anything in writing from these people although they have said they had sent me an email. They have refused to disclose the pdl company because "the company doesn't want to be accussed of harrassment" which this clearly is. I have googled Michael Harris in Yreka California and there is someone who is named that who works with the dfa. in California, but since that is the forestry service, I am sure they are not the one and the same. I will be contacting the BBB and attorney general in CA on Monday, as I found those suggestions above helpful.
With the number of people that have complaints about this "company", if it can be tracked at all by the phone number, I am not sure why it has not been shut down.
The men (and woman) who have called me have said they are from the "National Bureau of Crime Investigation Dept (doesn't exit), Federal Bureau of Collections, (doesn't exist) I have spoke with "John Fernandez, Michael Harris, Natasha, John Anderson, and James Carter, and the phone calls, when I have done reverse check ups have come from Pasadena, CA., Yreka, CA., somewhere in PA. Most names are very English sounding and all speakers have had accents from India. I have been advised by the WI dept.of consumer affairs that if they are off shore, there isn't a lot they can do. I have changed my bank account, etc., but they have my basic information and as a result can track me down, just as I am able to track them down.
I am confused why, with as many people filing complaints as we are, there is not a way for someone to file a class action suit against these people so they cease and desist.
I have absolutely no problem taking care of legitimate debts, but this is not legitimate.
These people are threatening, accusatory, and worst yet, persistent. I believe their hope is that they will break someone down and get money--and they must be successful or they would have packed up their computer and tried someother way of scamming people. Last month the phone call ended with ":Michael Harris" screaming "you are a defaulter" to me several times while I hung up the phone.
I have had calls from the same number. They called 7 times within 5 min. I finally answered (a little louder than I should have) and a very indian sounding man asked for the name and number of my lawyer. When I told them that I didn't have a lawyer he asked me who was going to bail my a** out of jail tomorrow and hung up. I have never applied or recieved a pay day loan, i am not even employed, but I am concerned that they have my whole social security number. What if anything can I do?
If you are targeted by these criminals, be sure to report them to all the following federal and state law enforcement agencies (most of which you can do online or over the phone):
1. The U.S. Secret Service is responsible for protecting the country's financial infrastructure and payment systems from international and domestic threats. Call or write your local Secret Service field office to alert them to the details of this attempted extortion. The addresses and phone numbers for the local Secret Service field offices are listed at http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml or in your phone book.
2. Alert the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov Be sure to tell the FBI that you are being targeted by extortionists over the phone. And if the crooks claim to be law enforcement or lawyers, officers of the court or bankers, be sure to include that information in your report.
3. File a complaint with your local police. Most police departments will take a report over the phone. Be sure to tell them that you're being targeted by an extortionist and give them all the details.
4. File a complaint your state's attorney general, the contact information for whom is at www.wvago.gov
5. File a complaint online with The Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
If these crooks call back, promise them nothing, pay them nothing and tell them nothing other than that you know they're a scam and that you've reported them to law enforcement. (And be sure to report them to all the agencies above each time they call you.)
By the way, here's just a small sample of numbers used by this particular group of scammers. Read the reports and you'll see the same pattern time and again -- phony organization names, thick foreign accents, and oddly worded threats that are so melodramatic and ridiculous that it's laughable:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-771-9249 Scammer posting here as GARY and GARRY JONES
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-860-4509 Scammer posting here as Mike Henderson
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-212-500-0839 Scammer posting here as Ricky
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-201-244-7722 Scammer posting as Carole, David Brown and Amanda
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-626-200-4646 Scammer false postings at this new number as silshan kanniue and Tina – preparing a new number to use.
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-424-354-4270 Scammer false postings as Rose
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-785-4479 Scammer posting as Robert
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-909-327-4870 Scammer false postings as Marry
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143 Scammer false postings as Karen Miller, Chichi and Tom Little
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-561-300-8018 Scammer false postings as Marco Polo (real original)
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-226-7488 Scammer false postings as SAM, David S
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-706-7463 Scammer false postings as George
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-209-349-7382 Scammer false postings as Towanda Robinson, Shannon Walsh, Jack Dawson and Cynthia
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-760-514-0132 scammer false postings as Suzy01, Johanna Hall, Cindie McMellon, Michael Dublin, Mark Williams, Carol and Rio (800notes removed some of the scammers posts because the all came from the SAME IP ADDRESS)
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-209-797-2212 scammer false posting as Jaison Connar
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-707-401-4056 Scammer false posting as John Carner, KSR
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-650-241-4604 Scammer false postings as jhon and Kevin
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-708-401-0535 Scammer false posting here as JHON
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-518-212-0219 Scammer false posting
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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.