Harrassment and Terroristic threats
Complaint
Francine Fedin
Country: United States
I am constantly receiving harrassing phone calls from this Co. looking for Debbie White. She used my name as a reference whithout my knowledge so this co calls me...I repeataly told them to stop, they told me that they are going to come out and arrest me,, Yesterday 4/8/2010 they called and said that they are taking me to court..this has been an ongoing problem. I want it to stop NOW, here are the numbers 1-949-502-0123, 1-916-458-5665, 426-606-3786...
Comments
Debt collectors are prohibited from engaging in abusive or harassing behavior, making threats of arrest, threatening any action they cannot or won't actually do, engaging in deception to collect a debt, and many other practices. Your description is practically a summary of what the law prohibits them from doing.
In addition, the name sounds phony. It sounds like someone not actually familiar with U.S. institutions might make up in an attempt to fool unsophisticated consumers.
"Debbie White" probably didn't even use you as a reference, if you even know her. If you actually know her, more likely this "debt collector" used various skip-trace databases to find people who might know Debbie, perhaps relatives, neighbors, coworkers, or people who were once neighbors or coworkers. Claiming you were a reference is a common debt collector lie used when calling to try to find someone.
You told them to stop calling, yet they kept calling, and are even threatening you with arrest or "taking you to court", whatever that means. Failing to cease calling when you originally requested, like the other threats, is illegal.
You could sue THEM, for all the violations of state and federal law.
Other clusters of complaints indicate several groups of people engage in this behavior. Some are actually debt collectors, who you might sue. Others are criminal gangs engaged in cheap phone extortion rackets. One such group has been operating for several years, are reported ot have thick Indian accents, and may have spun of of some payday loan/debt collection operations.
Document their calls, and file complaints with FTC, the California Attorney General, and your state Attorney General. You might also file a complaint with your local police, as the pattern fits one of attempted phone extortion.
Google finds that "American Law Division" is commonly searched for in connection with "scam", indicating that many people have been searching on that combination.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-909-580-9998
"imnotstupid replies to brandog
16 Mar 2010
I keep getting harassing phone calls to my cell phone from number 949 502 0123. They have even been calling my family stating that i have committed fraud and that there have been charges filed against me. "Steven White" was his name. Thats a pretty American name for someone who doesnt even speak English very well. I asked him to connect me with someone in the "law firm" that speaks English as a first language, and he got mad and refused to connect me with someone else to explain my case better. He then told me that I will have to pay 7000.00 in court fees if I dont take care of this immediately. He said I had an out of court option, which would require me to "settle" by paying 1000.00. I also got a call from a "mike anderson". Im not sure who to contact to get them to stop calling me.
These show up, under yet more phone numbers.
..."
"...
tph45324
9 Dec 2009
I received several of these calls today. I got 2 voicemails from this James Davis at 1-909-580-9998 who couldn't even pronounce my last name. He called himself an attorney and he was supposedly with American LAw Division--supposedly retained from some CA online payday loan place. He then called me at work. I came home early and called him back. When I dialed the above phone number, he answered by a different name. He then proceeded to tell me that this payday loan place had filed criminal charges against me for wire fraud, check fraud and I forget what else. I have never received any money from this payday loan place. To my bad, I may have actually completed an online application for a payday loan place, but have never received anything. So at this point, I know what happened and how he got my info. The next thing is to call the bank. Thank you all for posting about this. It takes a load off my back.
Caller: American Law Division
..."
"...
Lady Ember
6 Apr 2010
I rec'd a call from "Mike Anderson" to call him at 707-474-3337 about a lawsuit I was "involved" in regarding fraud. I left a different number for a callback on the answering machine that picked up ( I probably should have researched first but of course I did the panic attack and called back to get all the information about what the heck was going on). My concern was that the "someone" who used my name and number about a financial fraud really did it. I went online to reserach this company after the fact and found this information of fraud. Peachy. Well, if he calls back I know what to do now! Thank you everyone for posting this information to set me on the straight and narrow. I'll know better from now on.
Caller: American Law Division
..."
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release ... mers-111431.php
"August 07, 2009
BBB issues nationwide alert about phony debt collectors harassing consumers
-- Scammers' actions point to mass data breach including Social Security and bank account numbers --
WALLINGFORD, CT, August 07, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about would-be debt collectors who call "payday" loan holders, threatening arrest if they don't pay immediately.
A payday loan, also known as a paycheck advance, is a short-term cash advance intended to cover expenses until the holder's next payday.
The callers claim they are lawyers with the "Financial Accountability Association" or the "Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans," and they are armed with stolen personal information from their victims, indicating a major security breach of unknown origin. The names used by the scammers may change with time.
According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, payday loan holders appear to be particularly at risk.
"Because the scammers have so much information about potential victims, BBB is concerned that this may be the result of a data breach. Thousands of people may have had their personal information compromised."
Reports received by Better Business Bureau and posted online explain the con artists threaten the loan holders of defaulting and claim they are being sued. The imposters threaten the loan holders with imminent arrest and extradition to California to stand trial, unless they immediately wire $1000 or provide bank account or credit card information.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau has advice for consumers who receive suspicious telephone calls about an outstanding debt:
-Don't be bullied into immediate action. Ask the debt collector to provide official documentation that substantiates the debt.
-Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the telephone until you confirm the legitimacy of the call.
-If you believe a debt collector is trying to scam you, file an abuse complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at www. ftc.gov, or by telephone at (202) 326-2222. Also file a complaint with your Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org or by telephone at 203-269-2700, ext. 2.
..."
949-502-0123 Southern California
916-458-5665 Sacramento CA
426-606-3786 Unknown
909-580-9998 Riverside, San Bernardio, Ontario, etc., CA
707-474-3337 Sonoma Co. CA
Although 411.com shows some of these as "landline", I'm not sure I believe their information. More likely, this gang is buying cheap anonymous cell phones in various locations, resulting in widely dispursed area codes reported.
Complaints tied to the above numbers:
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-949-502-0123
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-916-458-5665
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-909-580-9998
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-707-474-3337
Includes a report of links to complaints against a much longer list of phone numbers. Note much wider range of area codes.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-707-474-3337
"...
By the way, here's just a small sample of numbers used by this particular group of scammers. Read the reports and you'll see the same pattern time and again -- phony organization names, thick foreign accents, and oddly worded threats that are so melodramatic and ridiculous that it's laughable:
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-925-262-1327
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-678-954-6346
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-341-4004
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-856-831-0640
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-949-743-1140
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-410-505-8128
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-917-464-2534
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-210-858-6602
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-775-2121
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-949-743-1156
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-214-245-1402
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-214-245-0922
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-214-723-5572
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-904-425-2863
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-718-831-7157
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-904-425-2857
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-858-244-0444
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-954-678-9724
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-610-571-3252
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-310-909-8245
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-310-499-9983
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-771-9249 Scammer posting here as GARY and GARRY JONES
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-860-4509 Scammer posting here as Mike Henderson
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-212-500-0839 Scammer posting here as Ricky
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-201-244-7722 Scammer posting as Carole, David Brown and Amanda
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-626-200-4646 Scammer placing false postings at this new number as silshan kanniue and Tina – preparing a new number to use.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-424-354-4270 Scammer placing false postings as Rose
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-785-4479 Scammer posting as Robert
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-909-327-4870 Scammer placing false postings as Marry
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143 Scammer placing false postings as Karen Miller
..."
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143
"cookie
12 Feb 2010
I received this message today on my voicemail at work as well the number left was 646-274-1143 and it was from a person who gave the name Ron Adams he had a very heavy accent and stated to call him back immediately or "god help you as the situation unfolds". I also received these same type of calls last year about the same scam, supposedly I owe on a payday loan, However they are illegal here in the state of NC and I have never even heard of the company or taken any loan, but they did somehow have my personal info like bank name and social, so I had to change my bank account info and sign up for one of the credit monitoring porgrams to make sure I didn't become a idenity theft victim. I guess they are back at it again, this has made me very aware of how and when I give out personal information, never again will I fill out any find of credit application online or anything over the internet again.
Caller ID: 6462741143
Caller: commercial
Call Type: Debt Collector
..."
Voldermort is behind this...
"lilfunoneder
17 Feb 2010
I just received a phone call from Tom Riddle (Harry Potter fans?Maybe). This guy says he's from the Williams Law Firm. Then he proceeded to tell me the same ole' thing he's told hundreds of others. So after not verifying ANY information about myself and managing to get HIS phone number. I called the Williams Law Firm and passed all the information to them. I figured if someone was trying this with my company's name and I was a lawyer, I'd like to know. I haven't, and won't, pay them a penny. These types of people are low class individuals who give real debt collectors an even worse name.
Caller ID: 646-274-1143
Caller: Out Of Area ( The Williams Law Firm)
Call Type: Debt Collector
"
Reply by scammer
"tom little
18 Feb 2010
first i thought it was a scam but the next day. the sherif officer were at
my place. some how i resolved this matter by paying 1200$. I had recevied all my legal documents from the court house through fax.
so don't think it is a scam.
Caller ID: 6462741143
Caller: williams law firm
"
Complaints indicate threatening calls, calls to employers, claiming to be attorneys, to be suing, threats of arrest, etc. Some reports indicate they have SSN and other identity data.
They appear to be using a wide range of phone numbers, with a wide range of area codes, probably indicating that they are using disposable anonymous cell phones. Many reports that they have poor English, and thick Indian or middle eastern accents. They use "English sounding" names, which have sometimes been described as "laughable" given their thick accents. The "company" names sound sort of "legal" but often phony. Sometimes they claim to be calling from a "law firm".
"Debts" are generally reported to be bogus. There are a number of "reports", possibly by scammers themselves, claiming it isn't a scam. Not very credible.
The most damaging thing you could do would be to contact a consumer reporter for a local TV station to see if they could do a story on them. BBB and several state Attorneys General have press releases warning about them.
DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY, EVEN IF THEY HAVE INFORMATION THAT MIGHT MAKE THEIR CLAIM SOUND LEGITIMATE.
Legitimae debt collectors send notice by U.S. Mail, within 5 days of first contact, in accordance with federal law. Legitimate debt collectors produce proof of the debt when requested, in accordance with federal law.
These people are just criminals making threats. They can't and won't do anything to you, and if they ever showed up, there are a lot of LE in various states who would like to "talk" to them.
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/GEHySjZNUwAW-gjMNqJg-Q
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/zjpANESR-QDbEAjMpmL2KQ
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/zmCFdWhvMwAtIAjLlywfiA
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/ok3kfrawxwDthAjMf85qbg
"MW Marketing" threads, possible Jacksonville FL nexis:
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/EMtNIv0IHAA7gAjLcTjAQg
http://business.nv.gov/PressReleases/state%20 ... 018_%202006.htm
Some of this is interwoven with Buffalo-area scammers rounded up by AG Cuomo recently.
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/rI4qMog8tQDxwAjJyA-dgw
"United Legal Processing":
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/OAjhMi7i-QC_hgjKpCNiew
http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2009_01/20090122.html
ABC News report:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Story?id=5621205&page=1
WV AG warning:
http://www.wvago.gov/press.cfm?ID=444&fx=more
http://www.ksag.org/page/consumer-alert-attor ... collection-scam
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/GEHySjZNUwAW-gjMNqJg-Q
They are criminals using the phone to extort money from people. File a complaint with your state Attorney General and your local police, for extortion and fraud.
Then contact a local TV consumer reporter so they can get the word out to your whole area. The more people who know about this, the fewer will get taken.
How did they get you to pay them? Via Western Union?
They are not collecting on any real debt, nor will they sue. They do appear to have access to either old payday loan data, or possibly credit report information, so they might have correct SSNs.
If they have your SSN, you might as a precaution file a fraud alert with any of the 3 credit reporting agencies. They will notify the other two.
It appears that primarily they are using vile threats to panic people into paying them, probably by Western Union or similar money transfer means.
File complaints with your local police or state Attorney General. If they do catch you on the phone, do not believe ANYTHING they say, particularly threats of any sort. Either hang up, or notify them the call is being recorded for use as evidence. (You might as well record.)
"Lincoln Thomas" is no doubt an alias. Other aliases reported have a similar "simple english" made-up "soap opera character" sound to them.
No other complaints show up when googling "561-210-4854".
That is not a surprise, as they may either use anonymous throw-away cell phones and replace them periodically, or spoof caller id. Real debt collectors generally have a long history of complaints under any number they use, and start building that history within days of getting a new number, due to the volume of calls they make.
Having your SSN fits this particular group, which has been reported to have had access to old payday loan or credit file data. Some reports link them to some former Indian call center run by a shut-down Florida-based debt collector known for similar illegal tactics.
Report their calls to the police, and to FTC.
Put a fraud alert on your credit reports, although I have not seen reports of actual fraudulent accounts opened in connection with this group.
Either hang up on them when they call, or tell them you are recording and let them talk.
Do not believe ANYTHING they say.
What you are looking for is any recent credit inquiries from unexpected names, such as those that do not match companies you have accounts with.
Ignore the PRM ("promotional") inquiries that are used to make credit card offers, since those don't disclose detailed credit information.
What you are looking for might show up as a "collection" permissible purpose, "new credit" inquiry, or as an "account review" but for some name with which you do not have a credit account. Those would all get full file information.
You want to know if some unexpected and unidentifiable party has recently pulled your full reports, which might indicate that these thieves actually have access to current credit file information to use in their extortion scheme.
If you find unknown suspect names, please post them, or any CRA despriptors that identify them.
CRAs sometimes identify the entity pulling a report or posting information with some internal identification number, even when they don't fully identify the company.
Despite reports of a common phone number, this complaint indicates they may be spoofing caller id information.
https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/2068555350
"...Once I hung up he called me back from 911 Emergency. Something needs to be done to STOP these guys!!!!!Caller: US Investigation Bureau (SCAM)..."