Calls asking me to have someone call 888-243-6569 regarding a summons and case number.
Complaint
Sharron
Country: United States
Person calling gives her name as Christina Walker. Is looking for someone regarding a court summons and gives me a case number.
The thing is the person she is looking for or the name she is giving me is similar but not quite the same name as a family member. When I called her on the fact that the names she kept throwing at me were not associated with our family she kept on.
She would recite names that were close but not accurate legal names. I asked her where she was getting her info she got a bit testy and sort of threatened to turn in a fraud report. Like on me, what have I done but ask smart questions.
If this were a legitimate law enforcement agency, they'd have legal names, legal and correct family associations, addresses etc. and they'd not conduct business on the phone.
The thing is the person she is looking for or the name she is giving me is similar but not quite the same name as a family member. When I called her on the fact that the names she kept throwing at me were not associated with our family she kept on.
She would recite names that were close but not accurate legal names. I asked her where she was getting her info she got a bit testy and sort of threatened to turn in a fraud report. Like on me, what have I done but ask smart questions.
If this were a legitimate law enforcement agency, they'd have legal names, legal and correct family associations, addresses etc. and they'd not conduct business on the phone.
Comments
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-243-6569
Threatening legal action they have no intention to take is a violation of FDCPA, as is claiming to have taken legal action ("court summons", "case number") when they have not.
It also sounds like they are claiming to be "law enforement". They are not, they are a debt collector. Also illegal, and violates various laws.
File a complaint with your local police since they are impersonating law enforcement, regardless of whether they were trying to contact you or someone else.
That is the response of a liar.
It was not "sort of a threat", it was intended to be understood by you as a threat, so it was a threat. It was also another bunch of violations of FDCPA and similar state laws.
You have no obligation to assist or provide information to strangers who refuse to identify themselves. They are basically fishing, using threats to do so, and you have no idea how they will use the information they collect.
Furthermore, they have not notified you that they are a "debt collector, and that any information will be used to collect a debt", as required by law (FDCPA), since that is what they are, and that is what they are doing. On the contrary, they have deceptively claimed to be law enforcement.
They are commonly reported to claim to be "attorneys", to be "suing", that they are delivering a "summons", or that failing to pay them is some "crime".
What they are actually running is an extortion racket, turning deceptive claims of some "magazine subscription" into an excuse to threaten people who don't cough up what they later claim is hundreds of dollars "owed" under some "verbal contract".
A number of complaints include that they often fail to even deliver more than a few magazines to create the appearance of a "subscription", and that when people stop paying them when magazines fail to come, the threats start. Other complaints are that they are using threats to collect years old bogus or questionable debts.
They have been doing this for years, and the best response is to contact law enforcement and the New York Attorney General.
Buffalo is the center for a number of "debt collectors" known for routinely employing illegal threats to collect questionable "debts". Recently, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has cracked down on several, resulting in a number of arrests.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-475-5187
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Chi - 9 Jan 2009
This person called (Christina Walker of NARS) my sister in laws house looking for my wife. She left a number to call so I did call her. She told me that my wife owes to a Publishing company 7 years ago. She said something about a court summons and pour conversation was recorded. We never live in my sister in laws house. She was just merely guessing because we have the same last name and we both live in the same city. Out of shame, I settled the amount in three installment but in some instances, I ran out of money so I asked her not to take any money from my account now. The money I had in the bank is intended for my rent. She took my money and I'm in shambles. After reading some posted articles about here, I called her but the number she gave is not a working a number. I went to my bank and filed a scam report. My bank returned all the money and guess what, she's been harassing me, my household with phone calls telling my son about the court summons. She left a couple messages regarding a charge back. I just don't understand why does she have to talk to my son about it.
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Ronald Humphreys - 3 Mar 2008
Defendant C.Walker called claiming the power to issue a "summons" although no court action involved. No informatio is given about the debt. She then advises that she has "recorded" the our conversation. I called back to advise a boss (Kathleen) that her recording of the call violated Fla. Stat. 943. After that they immediately hung up. Too busy to call law enforcement now. But I would like a physical address.
Caller ID: Private Number
Caller Type: Collection Agency
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Rating: +1 A. Poulin - 10 Apr 2008
Hi There--
I'm having the same problem. Christina Walker keeps calling me, my parents and my work leaving messages that she is trying to work out a payment plan with me regarding some magazines that I bought 5 years ago........she's telling me that if I don't pay it will be in the hands of the court and I'll be "summons" too. She's telling me I owe over $900 and keeps threatening me with a summons.
What have you guys done to resolve this and get this woman to stop calling. I'm sure it's a scam as she will provide me with no proof of my magazine subscriptions etc. She's telling me she is from Allied Publishing.
Any ideas?
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Rating: +1 TK - 10 Apr 2008
Hi-
There are a few things I did. I contacted the AG in PA & NY, I also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Christina Walker is from NARS 1241 Hertel Ave Buffalo, NY 14216. (888)-475-5187. You can also go online & find an example Cease & desist letter, all you have to do is add your name & the company's name. I faxed it over to them and they haven't bothered me since, fax# 888-475-5226. She also said she works for Burton & Associates.
You can also check out callcomplaints.com, Look under scams.
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E.P. - 12 Sep 2008
See also on this site:
888-243-6568
888-264-3797
888-264-3670
Information from the Buffalo, NY Better Business Bureau
Burton & Associates
975 Hertel Ave.
Buffalo, NY
716-813-5042
This may be the collection agency using illegal methods to collect debt that usually isn't even REAL!!! They often claim to be attorneys and that you will be summoned to court out of state. This is all untrue.
Call the FTC and file a complaint. 1-877-382-4357
Also contact your local and state authorities and report them.
Caller ID: 888-243-6568
Caller: Burton & Associates, EPS, Attorney Clerk
Caller Type: Collection Agency
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Rating: +1 Bethany - 20 Nov 2008
I lost the number I got the call from, but I was the idiot who actually fell for this. I looked for the address for the company the charge went to and found this page. Carol Klein is the name I got. She gave me a convincing sob story...God...What can I do? I paid this woman $500!!!!! Please, Someone help me!!!!
Caller ID: 8884755187
Reply
Rating: 0 Bethany - 20 Nov 2008
Also, she did tell me she was from Burton & Associates, she had my parents number, she threatened my mother that it would be her fault because I would go to court and lose if I didn't settle it with her ASAP. My total, including 5 years of interest and court fees, would be $1800, or I could pay just the amount I owed ($487) plus an "interstate transaction fee" that Pennsylvania "just instated" of $13. I was suspicious the whole time, but I kept telling myself that I was doing the right thing. Looking back on it, Carol Klein was very good at manipulating me exactly how she needed. Guess it doesn't make me any less of a fool, though.
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Rating: 0 David - 21 Nov 2008
I received a call from Diane Thomas with Burton & Associates at work, saying that I was going to be taken to court due to a "breech of contract" over magazines I ordered over FIVE years ago. She stated she was from a law firm, not a collection agency, and that if I don't respond, a bench warrant will be issued for my arrest. WTF??? I tried calling back - the phone kept ringing (no voice mail - which I find odd for a legit company in 2008) - she stated she was going to fax me the information that she never did, when I tried calling her back again - the phone rang a busy signal (again - no voicemail?) She still keeps calling to resolve this matter - each time more hostile then the last. Thank you for posting information on the BBB. I shall be calling them and getting rid of these scam artists!
Caller ID: Unknown
Caller: Burton and associates
Caller Type: Collection Agency
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Long thread detailing "Allied Publishing" and "friends".
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/EOCyDbSpRAC7TgjJ3Y3HJg