I just received a phone call from these pricks at 6:30 am. "Gram smith" left a weird "time sensitive" voicemail on my blackberry from a 714 area code number. In the voicemail he had a strong, thick middle eastern accent saying that I had a "case" and that I could call them back immediately at the 650 number stated above. I figured they may have gotten my information off the internet, from some application I might have filled out last year, but I checked my bank records for any online "loan" deposits from any internet company associated with "cash loans" as the caller stated. Nothing posted whatsoever. It was kinda scary because they had my full name, social, old residence, and place of work. As mentioned above he said "if I don't hear from you, all I can do is wish you good luck when the situation unfolds, good bye and good luck with your kids." Being the type A person that I am, I took it upon myself to call them back and find out some more information. Here are some things that you need to know if you get a call from this morons:
1. They will not give you any information on the loan (loan number, amount, date, or even exact company).
2. When you tell them that you have not been contacted about this before via mail, they will act surprised and shocked as if you are in deep trouble with the credit bureau.
3. They will strive to use legal terms such as affadavit and negligence to try and confuse you.
4. They will repeatedly let you know that they have your information (SSN, place of work, home addy)
5. They will threaten you with an arrest warrant the next day at the place of your work or your home.
6. While on the phone with these [***], you will hear background chatter from their "associates" who are also calling people and making threats.
7. They will put you on hold several times, mainly to try and buy some time to think of what to say next, or consent with their "co-workers" about information.
8. They will identify themselves as a "cyber crime" division that has been contacted by the federal credit bureau in an effort to contact you about your so called debt.
9. They will try to use vague information that was obtained via internet hacking to construe you to believe what they are saying might be true.
10. And finally, when you laugh and tell them "this is a [***] joke", they will state in a serious manner that this is not a joke, and "why are you laughing".
Many people probably have your identity out there, keep on top of your bank statements, and your credit report and you will be fine.
Either Ryan, Monica or Faresh, no last names, verbally abusive call as fast as he or she can hang up and get you back on the line. Anyone else harassed by someone at this number?
very rude and abusive and harrassing phone calls that is attach and a threat this abuse need to stop and unfold ryan monica need to be reported to the authoritys its gotten as far an they are calling my employer. THIS NEED TO STOP
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.
I too received a call from this company. The guy was foreign with a very thick accent. It was very hard to comprehend the message. What I do know that he was saying that if I didn't call back, I would be behind bars. That is a direct violation from the Fair Credit Act for any collections caller whom I assume he was. I don't even know the person he was calling about because it wasn't even my name or I couldn't understand the name he said! Any help with Mr. John Smith would be helpful. What a joke!
i got a call at work from this number 650-284-0454 very hard to understand this man named ryan states that if i didn't call back in one hour the police would come and get me they said the were trying to get money that they said i had of theres and i told him i have no idea what he is talking about this is a big bad scam out there someone needs to catches them