Kathy/Cathy Brooks w/Smart Solutions, 1-769-222-0080 garnishment, collector for payday loan, called my work, had my email address, and knew one of my banks. wanted me to pay 350. Told her that I had been scamed before that I would not send anything til she sent me information. That I would check with the BBB while waiting on her email. I have payed my pay day loan. Sick of these people calling trying to scam innocent people!!
How can I verify whether or not a debt collector is legitimate?
Here are a few warning signs that could signal a debt collection scam:
The debt collector threatens you. Legitimate debt collectors probably won't claim that they'll have you arrested or claim that they or their employees are law enforcement officers.
The debt collector refuses to give you information about your debt or is trying to collect a debt you do not recognize. You have certain rights to ask a debt collector to verify the debt. You can use this sample letter to request this information. Ask for an explanation in writing before you pay.
The debt collector refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number.
The debt collector asks you for sensitive personal financial information. You should never provide anyone with your personal financial information unless you are sure they're legitimate.
If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:
Ask the caller for his or her name, company, street address, telephone number, and professional license number. Many states require debt collectors to be licensed. Check the information the caller provides you with your state officials, or the state in which the debt collector holds a license. If the caller refuses or is unable to provide you with information about his company, or if you can’t verify the information he provides, do not give money to the caller or company.
Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." This notice must include:
The amount of the debt
The name of the creditor you owe
A description of certain rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, consider requesting this information in writing or seeking assistance before paying the debt to make sure the debt, and the company, are valid.
Tip: You can consider sending the collector a letter requesting the information by using one of the CFPB's sample letters. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB or you can contact your state Attorney General’s office.
Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft such as:
Charging your existing credit cards
Opening new credit card or checking accounts
Writing fraudulent checks
Taking out loans in your name
Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
Report the call. Submit a complaint with the CFPB or get in touch with your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers.
Stop speaking with the caller.If nothing else works and you believe the calls are fraudulent, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files.
Tip: You can use this sample letter to write a letter demanding the debt collector stop contacting you. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
Tip: If you're having trouble with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).
Just got a call on my job extension from 769-222-0080 and was told that this was Smart Solutions informing me that my wages were going to be garnished and for me to return a call at my earliest convenience to 877-915-2121 ext 801 and guess what Cathy answered and I was the 1st person in the queue (funny that's never happened). I was then told that I took out a payday loan for $500 and that only $150 was repaid and for me to check my loan documents to see whom the account belongs to once the consumer defaults on the loan and it was Advanced Cash Loans. Never heard of this company and I couldn't find any information on Smart Solutions either. So I went to google and find out that this is a scam and that by me living in Pennsylvania they can not garnish my wages with a written court order. So guess who won't be returning a call to Cathy tomorrow.
Just got a message from "Kathy" as well saying that she wanted to speak with me about a wage garnishment. Left some 800 number to call her back so we can get this "handled". The funny thing is that unless you owe child support, back taxes, or student loans, your creditors -- cannot garnish your wages unless they first get a court order. I have received scam calls like this in the past saying that if I don't pay back this "debt" that there would be a warrant issued for my arrest. I am blocking the number...