Got a call from a Mickey Harlow. The number came through on my cell as 'UNKNOWN' but this is her callback number. Very rude collector. Said she was from "LEGAL OUTSOURCING". She stated "You have been notified". Lol. Notified of what? That you're a scam artist? Real, legal collectors don't leave messages like this because they know it's ILLEGAL!!
Any other information you could post about this bunch of criminals would be appreciated:
This is a common ploy by criminals attempting to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged, go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished, etc. all for an alleged or nonexistent debt.
Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt. It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes. The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.
Read up on your rights here, get template letters to send and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices: http://consumerfraudreporting.org/stateattorneygenerallist.php
This isn't the first time I've dealt with one of these scammers. I made the mistake of taking out an online payday loan a few years ago and they periodically harrass me to collect on a debt that was paid a very long time ago. I've reported many to the Federal Trade Commission...for all the good it does. Eventually, they give up and return with different phone numbers a few months later. Changing my phone number may be my only option.
>> Changing my phone number may be my only option. <<
Maybe not.
Y'see, your "new" number would probably be somebody else's "old" number ... and who knows how many spam calls they were getting?
Suggest you get a call blocker, and block the irritating numbers. They will not be able to use the same number twice, if you use the blocker correctly.
The reason nothing is done is because these people are operating under the radar and they change phone numbers like people change underwear. At some point they will make a mistake and get caught.