telephone scams
Complaint
corina
Country: United States
My mother in law rec'd a message on her cell phone (3/22/2012), and it said this msg is for Corina --- my name is Thomas Brooks an I have been served paperwork with 2 charges....call (888) 749-7725 case #399476. I first was wondering how they had her number, I dont even have it! I returned the call an spoke with a woman named Amy she stated that in February of 2004 I had got a cash advance for $300, and that NCA was hired to basically find me as to collect the debt. Amy said that I was gonna be served papers an that for me not to refuse the papers, because then I wouldnt know what day I was to appear in court. Amy also said that they had video surveillance of me that they were able to compare to my license, I asked if I was gonna be taken to jail...she said only if I dont appear in court. Then she said that the company that gave me the advance was seeking fraud charges on me, because the check I wrote was insufficiant funds...then I got scared! Then she proceeded to tell me that if I could pay $380 rite then with a debit or credit card that she could stop all the court ect.. Then she asked if I was married...she also said that none of this will appear on my credit report but it will appear if my SS # is checked for things such as employment. Then she said that she was calling out of New York an would be in the office for another hour...she gave me her direct extension 798 an told me to make some calls an see if I could come up with the $380 an to call her back. At the time I was so scared of the thought that I could go to jail, it didnt even occur to me that she didn't even have my address an I've lived in the place for 13.5 years!!!! Stupid me gave her my address an my number...This Amy called me back at 5pm our time stating that she was leaving for the day an that we would just "wing it tonite" she then said that she would call me tomorrow (3/23/2012-TODAY) at 5am my time to see if by chance I was able to come up with the money. Amy called me today at 5:15am California time...an again STUPID ME gave her my cc card info an paid the $380...she said gave me a confirmation number and said that I would be recieving paperwork in 2-3 weeks informing me that the debt has been settled ect.. The more I thought about it, it just didnt sound right, so I called her back and played stupid and asked her what the name of the cash advance place was that I just payed...she first tried to tell me that she didnt have that information, I told her that she had given it to me yesterday, she then said no "sweetie" I wouldnt have that information as there are thousands those places everywhere, but I argued with her telling her that Im not crazy an that she did give me the name of the place yesterday! Then all of a sudden she says oh yes, here it is.."Advanced America" she went as far as to give me a checking acct number and the exact date that I supposedly had written this check...then she I asked if her company had ID number...she gave me misc number an said that, that was my ID/acct number with Advanced America, again I asked for her company ID number then she gave me 399470, an said you can also go to our website an it will explain what our company does ect..ect...I searched for the website...nothing....just other sites related...I also searched Advanced America an the sites are online application sites..how could they have a video of me????? I have called my CC company and stopped the transaction an the $$$ is gonna be put refunded to my acct.
Comments
I could care less if you come back, although whatever you post does reveal information about your company and its culture. Shill posts are a confirming indicator of fraudulent "process server" scams, since they reveal the employees' focus on maintaining the deception to assist in evading legal compliance with validation.
Hardly likely that I am some "disgruntled ex-employee", but nice try.
It just confirms your goal of trying to discredit complaints, and its importance to you.
You say I'm a "disgruntled ex-employee".
Have you met "Mike"?
He sits next to "Shawn".
They seem to be having "mortgage problems".
More likely they've never been late on a mortgage payment in their lives, probably don't even have a mortgage, or own a house.
Where are you guys located, anyway?
Isn't the property there cheap enough yet?
You must have just started up.
BBB shows nothing under "National Check Affiliates"
No consumers report any address.
Only contact is by phone.
Complaints start recently.
Typical "process server" or "legal" threats, including calls to relatives.
Heavy shilling.
Reported aliases:
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-749-7725
"legal services"
"Amy Scott"
"Check and Credit Reporting"
"liason for the dept of legal services"
"NCA"
"austin city court"
"National Check Affiliates"
"Gary Waters"
"Gary Waters from Columbia, SC"
"Brian Cruz"
NO MENTION OF DISPUTE AND VALIDATION.
NO STATEMENT THAT THEY ARE A DEBT COLLECTOR, even though the reported calls are demanding money for alleged debts.
No consumer reports of receiving any letters.
NO CONTACT OTHER THAN WEBSITE OR PHONE NUMBER.
http://checkandcreditreporting.com
"...
Monday through Thursday 8:00 am EST – 8:00 pm EST
Friday 8:00 am EST – 5:00 pm EST
Telephone: 1-888-291-6973
Email: Inquiries@checkandcreditreporting.com
..."
..."
Check and Credit Reporting, Inc. specializes in the mediation of bad checks and severely delinquent loans. Our investigation department is skilled at verifying the link between an authorized ACH draft or a written check to an account holder. When a link is verified, a secondary investigation is instituted, ensuring that the bad check or loan is not part of an identity theft scheme. After both of these inquiries are resolved, an attempt is made to locate the consumer and notify him or her of the results of the investigation. If necessary, Check and Credit Reporting, Inc. may act as a third-party mediator to resolve the delinquent account without involving the legal system. If an agreement cannot be reached or is not adhered to by either party, the option for legal action is still viable.
If the account holder has further information regarding any possible identity theft, the documentation should be mailed or faxed in right away so that it can be included in the file. If the investigation team has not uncovered any such fraud, the consumer is responsible for providing this paperwork so that it may be verified and the appropriate measures taken to protect him or her.
If the account holder believes that the account in question was not previously resolved because it was included in a bankruptcy filing or judgment, our office should be contacted immediately with the case number and/or the name and phone number of the representing attorney
...."
Links to various government and debt law sites.
http://checkandcreditreporting.com/node/8
Check and Credit Reporting, Inc.
3806 Union Road, Ste 155
Cheektowaga New York 14225
Phone 888-872-7699
Fax 716-681-2892
Address is a mail drop at a UPS Store:
http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/3671/
The UPS Store #3671
3806 UNION RD
CHEEKTOWAGA, NY 14225-4248
BBB report, rated "F":
http://www.bbb.org/upstate-new-york/business- ... a-ny-190325537/
"Factors that lowered the rating for Check & Credit Reporting, Inc. include:
40 complaints filed against business
Failure to respond to 16 complaints filed against business
5 serious complaints filed against business
Government action(s) against business
...
Government Actions
NYS vs Check & Credit Reporting, Inc.
In February 2011, the New York State Attorney General announced a settlement with
the owner of the Check & Credit Reporting, Inc. According to the AG, lawsuits and complaints filed against the company allege that they improperly called consumers at their places of employment, threatened consumers with arrest, imprisonment, garnishment of wages, and freezing bank accounts.
The company owner must pay a penalty and must take significant steps to clean up their business practices.
..."
Consumer complaints:
http://www.creditreportproblems.com/Check_and_Credit_Reporting.htm
"process server"/"payday loan" shakedown:
"...
Received a call today from a lady named Annette Kline stating she was with the County Courts Liaison Office and that she wanted to know if I would be home in the morning to service a summons. Said she didn't know what it was about and gave me the number 877-447-2540 to contact. Talked to a man that said it was an old payday loan from 2005 and that I needed to take care of it or court precedings would continue. Said if I took care of it that they could pull it out of the court and wanted my credit card or bank information. Seems like this is happending alot
#30 - Sam - 03/09/2012 - 15:14
..."
Deceptive "process server"/"law firm"/"lawsuit" shakedown.
Deceptive and extortionate threat to "hold references liable"
"...
I got a phone call yesterday. They left a message on my answering machine stating that they had legal matters to discuss with me before "papers were going to be sent to my home and/or place of employment". I called back. Was informed that they were an attorneys office and I owed "Money-Mart" $241.00 from 2002. They had all information on me, includind SSN and then asked me if I knew a couple poeple (stated their names), I DID. They stated these people were used as refrences, and if I did not pay then they could be held liable. I stated that I just wanted the information in writing (because I do not believe I owe this), They asked for my email address so they could send it that way. Sending it in the mail would take 5-7 days and it was already in the process of me being served. I gave my email address, and they sent a strange looking letter (PDF form) that stated $341.00. $100.00 more. The letter stated the amount was due to the office today. The man on the phone had told me he had pulled the account back from the attorney for 24 hours so I could review the doc I received by mail. They seem to have alot of info, and I do not want them harrassing the 2 "refrences" they stated. I dont know what to do. I think I need to contact the origional debtor and see if I owe this? See what they have on it? From what I have read, this place does harrass people. This would not be a 10 year old debt for a very low "odd" amount. $241.00 or $341.00??? They stated they recorded the phone call, so I should state you mentioned a different amount owed over the phone then on this strange looking letter. They also stated that if I waited for it to arrive in the mail, I would probably be issued a summons in that time frame "but it was up to me". Why could he "hold" this for 24 hours to send me an email, but not give time for an official document to come in the mail? Especailly when I called them straight back the same day regarding the issue. Let me know if anyone out there has suggestions.
#31 - ???????? - 03/16/2012 - 14:17
..."
Same UPS Store mail drop. Related?
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-908-6251
"Williams & Associates"
"Thomas Gregory and Klein"
"Thomas & Associates"
"...
A.G. Schneiderman Announces Actions Against A Rash Of Buffalo-based Debt Collector Scams
Area Debt Collectors Preyed on Vulnerable Military Personnel & Consumers
Schneiderman: This is a Warning for Others to Play by the Rules or be Stripped of the Privilege of Doing Business in New York State
BUFFALO - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a series of actions against Buffalo-area debt collectors who preyed on military personnel and vulnerable consumers. These included the conviction of a debt collector, the banning of an attorney from the debt collection business, and settlements with three other Buffalo-based debt collectors who threatened consumers, made false representations, and improperly called consumers at their places of employment.
"These individuals preyed on vulnerable consumers and military personnel who were already struggling financially, by using scare and intimidation tactics," said Attorney General Schneiderman. "Today's settlements send a strong message that this office will not tolerate collectors intimidating consumers, or attorneys improperly lending their names to debt collectors."
Schneiderman announced the following actions today:
...
Richard & Peggy Cerrone, are required to pay $85,000 in penalties and must take significant steps to clean up their business practices. Richard Cerrone owns and operates the Southern Tier Agency, Inc., Check & Credit Reporting, Inc., and Credit & Check Filing, Inc. Peggy Cerrone owns and operates the Cornerstone Resolution Group, Inc. The Investigation revealed the Cerrone companies repeatedly violated the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. On more than 30 occasions consumers have filed suit against the Cerrone companies. Moreover, consumers have submitted more than 200 complaints to the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau, and the OAG against the Cerrones companies.
The lawsuits and complaints allege that the Cerrone Companies improperly called consumers at their places of employment, threatened consumers with arrest, imprisonment, garnishment of wages, and freezing bank accounts.
..."
Very similar boilerplate with "Check and Credit Reporting, Inc."
Similar verbiage on "ACH", "investigation", "mediation", etc.
Hours overlap with above.
Possible common ownership, and/or shared facilities.
"...
Monday Wednesday Friday 8:30 am EST – 5:00 pm EST
Tuesday Thursday 11:30 am EST – 8:00 pm EST
Telephone: 1-888-749-7725
...
3840 East Robinson Rd. #313
Amherst, NY 14228
..."
Similar UPS Store mail drop.
http://www.theupsstorelocal.com/0767/
The UPS Store #0767
3840 E ROBINSON RD
AMHERST, NY 14228-2001
Similar links to various government and debt law sites.
http://nationalcheckaffiliates.com/Links.html
Partial matches, in Buffalo NY area:
http://www.corporationwiki.com/New-York/Buffa ... c/72404545.aspx
Paul Schwartz
http://www.corporationwiki.com/New-York/Buffa ... c/69625684.aspx
http://www.corporationwiki.com/New-York/Buffa ... c/48084288.aspx
Jimmy Chebat