Ive been receiving calls daily and getting voicemails. I called back to see what it was and the lady said I was under a criminal investigation and I have a warrant out for my arrest for a payday loan from 2013. I never used a payday loan then. I also have not received any type of legal forms. I believe this to be a scam.
She was the same way with me. I told her I dont understand what this is and I asked her where is the supposed payday loan from. She told me I should know where it is from. She told me I have warrants in my county for 2 felonies. Then told me good luck and hung up. I called back she was even more rude to me. I have no idea how she could have got my information. I am completely confused and sick to my stomach about this. Im scared and I am a single mother of 3 young children.
Don't be. These are criminals attempting to extort money for non-existent debts. The next time they call, inform them they are being recorded and you intend to have them prosecuted for attempted extortion and wire fraud.
Here is what the FTC has to say about these frauds:
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).
Total scam. Being in ordinary civil debt is not a crime and you cannot be arrested for it. We do not have debtors prisons in the US. All that talk about warrants and arrests is just an attempt to scare you into paying them something. Do not fall for it. Only judges issues warrants and they are only issued to duly constituted officers of the law and are only served by duly constituted officers of the law. And they are only used in criminal cases. Debt collectors cannot get warrantx and have absolutely no influence on the criminal justice system. Ignore these callers and block their calls.
Just because a voice on the telephone claims you owe a debt does not mean you owe it
If a voice on the telephone claims you owe a debt:
1. Demand the person give you his or her name, company name, and address
2. Demand a debt validation letter by US mail. E-mail no good.
3. Do not pay the collection agent or anyone else a DIME until the debt is validated.
Of course they won’t do this, no scammer ever will, so simply block their calls and ignore them.
If they are bothering you,
Report them:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection (Threatening criminal prosecution to collect a civil debt is a clear violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Act)
Also contact your local attorney general
If they continue to bother you, and you know you do not owe any money, tell them that you know this is a debt scam and that you are making a complaint to the police for extortion. You might have to yell at the scammer and talk over him or her. Once you get a copy of the police report and they call you again , just read out the file number and the name of the PD or Sheriff’s office involved. Tell them you’ll be glad to send a copy to them at whatever address the jack***es are working out of now.