I received a call from this number this mornins. Same threats, same demands. It was a woman calling but she said the person representing Easy Cash USA is named James Parker. These calls are very annoying, but the fact that they can quote all my personal info is scary.
I received a call from a gentleman with a heavy accent. He kept me on the phone for 30 minutes....I wasn't going to give up the info that easily. He told me that in order to keep law enforcement from coming to pick me up to come to court in California, I would have to fax them a letter that stated (keep in mind - he told me what to write)
In attention to Daniel Scott:
I, ____________________, (to include my full name and last 4 of my ssn), authorize to charge my Visa debit card # ______________________, exp date, cvv code. Then, list transaction dates and amounts to be charged on each date. Then, list my telephone numbers and address.
I agree to pay these amounts and won't dispute these transactions.
Then I was to sign and fax it along with a copy of my driver's license.
Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for it, the FDCPA requires it), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER. Scammers are using bought/hacked loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.