Harassing phone call
Complaint
Marie
Country: United States
This number calls our business every couple of days and will not give any information just wants to speak with owner. When I reply they are not available or we are not interested they will say extremely vulgar comments and then hang up!
Comments
They ask to speak to the owner, implying they are doing an "investigation", or "investigating for a lawsuit". Always hang up when told the owner is not available.
Sounds like either a debt collector, or a small business scam of some kind.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-777-0535
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-777-0535
"FSNL POUT - 2 hours 27 minutes ago
Called around 1000am really rapidly said "Is the owner in we are conducting an investigation." Of some sort. It was a lady and I said "what," cause it didn't really make sense at first. She then hung up the phone. I was expecting a phonecall back. *69 it and found out it was this number 253-777-0535"
1) Total of 5 cases in 2 days using this number.
2) "Instant on", no earlier references to this phone number, but now a cluster starts all at once. No reports under adjacent phone numbers, Small operation. Repeated calls, with no deviation from "cold-call" pattern. Probably using an autodialer.
3) Appears to be calling only small businesses.
4) Caller attempts to wrap their scheme in some implied "legal" or "government" authority, "conducting an investigation", "investigating for a lawsuit", yet shows no indication of training in "investigating".
5) Caller is reported to respond to denial of access to owner with vulgar comments, implying it is NOT a government agency. Unprofessional, low class, low education and training level.
Hypothesis: Small business scam, possibly an initial probe to build up database for later telemarketing (since they hang up), or an attempt to determine weaknesses in business's purchase authorization controls, if you can give them that much credit.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-777-0535
Here are some:
"Shawni - 9 Nov 2007
Callers call almost every day and when I tell them that the "owner or operator" was not in. He called me a liar, I then asked if I could speak to his manager and told him that his company had been harassing me. The man on the line told me to shut up and called me a [***] a few times.
Caller Type: Telemarketer"
"Toni - 4 hours 52 minutes ago
Calls at least 3 to 4 times per day in my office and at our home. Always ask for owner/operator and when I tell them that he is not in they say that they will call back that it is about an investigation.
Caller ID: unknown"
"Julie - 4 hours 33 minutes ago
A man called my office Friday, Nov. 9th from this number and asked for the office manager by name. When I said she was out of town, he argued and repeatedly demanded that I go get her for him. I asked him for his name several times, and he refused to tell me...then he began rambling about being on a jet and said I need to pay his fuel bill to "turn the plane around"...then he said something about being a computer hacker...then went back to demanding that I put the office manager on the phone. When I stated for the final time that she was in another state, he said "fine" and hung up. Someone else from this number called this morning, but was not harrasing."
"Mabel - 4 hours 20 minutes ago
same as others - Man called wanting to speak to Owner or Controller - Rude"
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-777-0535
"Adam - 33 minutes ago
These people are calling from 2 numbers 253-777-0535 and 360-200-4546 they are a collection company for businesses and they get there mailing list from yellowpages.com . They call and say it's an investigation or it's regarding a legal matter to get through to the secretary and try to pitch their services. I have tracked the calls from this company and have been called 21 times in the last week every time I have hung up with them I have told them to take me off their list and they say well were just calling off of yellowpages.com so I wont call you again but I can't stop anyone else from doing it. If you look up on google telemarketing harrassment you can fill out for 84 or form 81 and demand damage compensation within 30 days this is what I am going to do and reccommend everyone else to do it as well.
Caller Type: Telemarketer"
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-253-777-0535
"Al - 3 hours 25 minutes ago
Rec'd ph call from these scum bags - [253-777-0535] - as soon as I said hello, they hung up. No doubt remembered my chewing the crap out of them from last time. Marketing sleaze--bunch of liars. Google has a number of hits on this scum as well. Call came in at 10:58 am, C.S.T., and I posted it now."
-AL
Caller ID: 253-777-0535"
"MTM - 2 hours 7 minutes ago
RECEIVED NOTICE OF MISSED CALL. CALLED NUMBER SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME RECORDED MESSAGE THIS WAS NOT A WORKING NUMBER."
6 more, for a total of 18 between the two numbers.
The "Level 3 Communications" noted below is probably a red herring.
This is no "internet company". Jess paid for a bogus trace.
Other numbers reported, sams M.O.: 206-315-9967, 805-987-3073, 866-987-3073
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-360-200-4546
"Comments about 3602004546 number:
CKMTE - 6 Nov 2007
This number called me and asked to speak with the owner or controller of the business regarding a claim that was on hold. I hung up- it did not sound legit.
Caller ID: 360-200-4546
Jess - 7 Nov 2007
This number called me also, but when I asked what a controller was... "do you mean office manager" The woman told me I was being a smart as*, also called me a few other choice names after asking her where she was calling from. I tried to call the number back, but it is not a ligit number to get through on. No listing with 411 either. How can this company be traced? It is out of Longview Washington????????
Jess - 7 Nov 2007
I paid to have the number traced. It belongs to a company named Level 3 Communications, LLC. http://www.level3.com/about_us/contact_us/index.html On this website you can contact the Vice President of communications. I think if he gets enough e-mails and phone calls he will know how we feel!!!!
tom - 7 Nov 2007
asked for accounts payable. have no idea
Caller ID: 360-200-4546
AC - 7 Nov 2007
Got a call 11-7-2007 @ 4:00 PM EST- they were looking for owner or Accounts Receivable. Person said their name was Nicole Hammer from Financial Investigations dept of CII Investigations, Inc. Gave a number to call back 866-657-7141
None - 9 Nov 2007
Caller asked for "Owner or controller, regarding an investigation". I have had this call many times, with many different area codes and phone numbers. (Including: 206-315-9967, 805-987-3073, 866-987-3073, etc.) Due to the specific way the caller asks for "Owner or controller" I believe this company to all be the same company, and that company is "Joseph Steven & Associates". This company has also claimed to be "Commercial Investiations Forensic Case Management" and "Specialized Recovery" and "James Mitchell & Associates". Basically, they are a collection company that (in my experience) is trying to solicit business to collect on past due accounts. I looked "Joseph Steven & Associates" up on Ripoffreport.com and the Better Business Bureau website before doing any business with them. I was horrified at the information I obtained about this company.
Their employees also have "matching" names, i.e. Pummel, Payne, Hammer, etc. (I guess you have to have a sense of humor to work for that company.)
Also, they appear to be located out of Ventura California, but usually have phone numers that are not of the Ventura area code. I believe they are using different communications companies, (i.e. Level 3 Communications and XO Communications) as a means to hide their true identity. Thus making it difficult to report their solicitations with the "Do Not Call Registry", etc.
My only advice is if you do receive this call, and decide to do business with their company, please research this company as thoroughly as possible.
Caller ID: 360-200-4546"
Although they appear to be mostly trying to call small businesses to solicit business, they go beyond rude to harassment, as noted below.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-206-315-9967
"JP - 10 Sep 2007
Received a call from a very rude and pushy representative from Joseph Stevens and Associates stating they would look into accounts past due - Told this individual he had called a residence, he was quite rude and said he would call back every 5 minutes, which he promptly did after I hung up on him."
"tms - 16 Aug 2007
staed they were from Joseph Stevens and Associates wanted my business to hire them to collect past due accounts. Told no thanks and stop calling.
Caller ID: blocked name
Caller Type: Telemarketer"
Are they in Washington state, or in southern California?
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/177/ripoff0177374.htm
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/177/ripoff0177374.htm
"Ex
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.
Former Employee
I will keep my name unknown. I use to work for Joseph Steven and Associates last year. I always thought their was something fishy going on. They alway handed out Bonuses every week (Cash in an unmarked envelope)to certain employee's (Seem to be the same people every week). Everyone uses fake names,(That are changed on a monthly basis) Usually lastnames like Steel,Stone,and Pirece.
I did leave this job after about a month and a half, and had to go through hoops just to get my last check. Don't believe a word they say. There not even located in Ventura California. There actually located in Camarillo CA, in an small office space at the Camarillo Airport. (Don't remember the full address but it's on Airport Way).
I'm actually going through hoops again trying to get my W2's from them. They have camaras everywhere inside and outside of the building. They also always keep there office door closed. You'll know if you found the office/place, cause the owners Mustang Cobra (Red with 2 with racing stripes,and 26in rims) is usually parked in the parking lot.
There are actually 2 key players that run the whole operation. A short fat white lady with glasses (always somking outside of the building) and A musculer built white male in his early to mid 30's (He'll be the one with the Mustang). I don't know there real names.
The employee's are told to rummage through the Yellow Pages and cold call company's and ask them for past due accounts. I got this job from an ad in the local newspaper. Most of the people they hire are to dumb to figure out what's really going on. When I figured it out I got out of there before it was to late.
I'm assuming there still in business. They also have another location in Van-Nise CA. They have camara's that watch both places, and the oweners house. I figure they work out of the airport because the owner probably has a private jet (That some poor small company's are probably paying for).
I'm telling you this cause now that I look back on everything, I probably should have never worked there. I didn't know what was going on when I started, but as the weeks went by I started putting 2 and 2 together. I hope this will help anyone, that is pursuing or wanting to take action against Joseph Steven and Associates.
Think I'm Lying?
I bet this sounds familiar:
'Let me speak with the Owner or controller, this is in reguards to a commerical investigation.'
Need I say More..
Unknown
USA"
"Joseph, Steven & Associates
9452 Telephone Road
Ventura, CA 93004
Contact: Stephanie Lawson
Phone: (866) 987-3073
Company Rating: F
Rating Explanation:
The rating the Better Business Bureau assigns a business is determined by our composite score of such factors as its type of business, length of time in business, compliance ...
Company Profile
DBA: Joseph, Steven & Associates
Address: 9452 Telephone Road
Ventura, CA 93004
Primary Phone: (866) 987-3073
Primary Fax: (866) 383-6791
Primary Contact: Stephanie Lawson
Customer Service
Website: http://www.debtinator.net
Company ID: 13000352
Business Start Date: 11/19/2004
BBB Created Record on: 3/1/2005
Nature of Business:
This company's nature is commercial and consumer collection, primarily business (all sizes) and investigates for clients, commercial investigator.
Bureau Membership
Join Date:
This company is not a member of the Better Business Bureau. This fact does not disparage the company in any way.
Licensing and Bonding Information
We know of no licensing or registration requirement for companies engaged in this company's stated type of business.
BBB Comments and Analysis
We have no further comment about this company’s business practices or analysis of its offer that may assist you in your consideration of this company.
Complaint Closing Statistics
The following grid displays the number and responses to complaints over the last 36 months:
No. of Cmpl Type of Response
12 Making a full refund, as the consumer requested
10 Making a partial refund
56 Agreeing to perform according to their contract
1 Refusing to make an adjustment
21 Refuse to adjust, relying on terms of agreement
8 Unanswered
7 Unassigned
115 Total
Complaint Experience
Complaints against this company include allegations of harrassment from creditors being contacted by this company. Also, complaints from companies that hire this business to collect outstanding debts generally included allegations that communications problems often occur with the company after the contract is signed and payment is made.
Government Actions
We know of no government action taken against this company.
Advertising Review
No question about the truth of this company's advertising has come to our attention.
Other Considerations
We know of no other matter or practice relating to this company that may assist you in your consideration of this company.
Other Company Profiles
Other DBAs
Joseph Steven & Associates
Joseph Stevens & Associates
Other Addresses
Other Phone Numbers
(805) 987-3073
(818) 786-5413
Other Fax Numbers
Other Contacts
Kala Goodwin
Operations Manager
Email: kala@laztool.com "
Not all of the consumer reported phone numbers show
up on the BBB report, but some do. In addition, their M.O. matches.
206-315-9967
360-200-4546
805-987-3073 (on BBB report)
866-987-3073 (on BBB report)
The 206 and 360 area code caller id numbers may be spoofed, consistent with reports of returned calls "not in service".
I STRONGLY advise ALL READERS to do EXACTLY this .... Turn the tables on them, and stop the calls to YOUR phone.
They are SLIPPERY ... and accomplished LIARS ... and you must ignore all that they say. Keep your phone attacks up WELL beyond their promises, since they will say ANYTHING you want to hear. Keep calling untill YOU feel they have have a belly-full of YOU !!!
One more thing .... do NOT go into this project with an EMOTIONAL approach. If you do ... you will lose ..... Go into this with a smile on your face and a feeling of COMEDY in your heart. If you do THIS ... you will be the winner, and it will be a real fun time for you ( along with feeling of pride in hurting slime-bags .
Call ALL the numbers shown above .... They will block you on the first one.
GOOD HUNTING !!!
Richard