Got a call from same "Julie Smith" a few hours ago. She's claiming that if I don't send her $680 in the next 24 hours for a 3-year old bill, then there will be a warrant for my arrest tomorrow. Going to the police station in the morning about this. I'm not comfortable sending someone over the phone any money. Not to mention, I asked her to send me a copy os something showing that there is a lawsuit or something against me. Of course she said "no", because only my lawyer (like I have one in my purse or something) can see the evidence against me.
Got a call from same "Julie Smith" a few hours ago. She's claiming that if I don't send her $680 in the next 24 hours for a 3-year old bill, then there will be a warrant for my arrest tomorrow. Going to the police station in the morning about this. I'm not comfortable sending someone over the phone any money. Not to mention, I asked her to send me a copy os something showing that there is a lawsuit or something against me. Of course she said "no", because only my lawyer (like I have one in my purse or something) can see the evidence against me.
Hope you know how lucky you were to be suspicious! That was a high pressure debt scammer, and there was not one word of truth in anything you were told. There is no debt. You are not going to be arrested. There is not case against you. There is not even a "Julie Smith". That is a made up name for sure.
A phone call is NOT a legal notification. By law, you have to be legally notified, by mail, not a phone call, not a fax and not an e-mail.
The lie about only being able to "tell your lawyer" is meant to scare you. But it is total BS. Since you are the one who hires a lawyer, you have a right to all information. In fact, to tell ONLY your lawyer would be a crime in most States. No Exparte communication, is the legal principal. If you had a lawyer there in your purse, "Julie" would have quickly hung up and not called back. That person is a liar and a criminal with a record, and the third last person she wants to talk to is a lawyer, right behind the DA and the police.
Here are links below to some info you should find useful. If you browse other posts here from the main 800notes page, you will see just how big a business these scams are. And why people like me volunteer time to help people who post here. You might want to call your local police first and ask about making a report. They can probably confirm this is a scam without you making a special trip.
Often, these calls come from outside the US or at least out of your City/State. So catching these scammers is difficult. If you have the name the company that should have been given to you, please post it. We can look that up for you and and maybe put your mind to ease.
Since you have proven to "Julie" that you will answer her calls, you can expect to hear from her again. Maybe even again and again. I would advise you NOT to talk to them. Don't answer or block the calls. I know this is difficult. You want to believe you can explain this to "Julie", that there is a mistake, and she will apologize and never call again. The difference between you and "Julie" is you are honest, she is a crook. She will lie and cheat, and if you let her, she will steal as much as she can scare out of you. You can't reason with a debt scammer. The more you talk, the more they will call and try to scare you.
I will monitor this thread, as will others. Post back with questions or any info. You can print this out and take it to the police if you like, but I do think a call might work as well. Links to some info follow. Be Smart, Stay Safe!
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
http://800notes.com/arts/BMoEKwOEhQA/16-ways-you-can-be-phone-scammed
I just received a call from this number...from "Tammy Brown"...stating that my name and information came up in a criminal (fraud) investigation of another person and they need me to call back ASAP as this is a time sensitive matter. Case# 812104-TX
If there is a criminal investigation, then actual real law enforcement handles that, not some scummy criminal pretending to me a debt collector. If you are not the intended victim, then they are calling you to scare their victim by talking to friends, family, etc. Do not call them back. Report them:
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