Legal document scam

ComplaintsCollection AgenciesTRS Associates

Complaint

0
Merrilee
Country: United States
A "delivery" company called stating that they needed to deliver legal documents to me and that if I didn't give them the information now I would face legal action.  He asked me some questions and I wouldn't answer then until he gave me some information about his company.  He has our phone numbers but other info like the Date of birth was wrong.  When I started to ask more questions He started yelling at me and then hung up.  I will file a complaint and tell everyone I know to be aware and not answer these calls.

Comments

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  • 0
    There are similar complaints..
    https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-244-9065/2

    They appear to be playing the ol' "process server debt collection" scam, where one caller pretends to be a "process server" supposedly "serving legal documents", and leaves a number you're supposed to call back in a panic so some "closer" can get you to pay them money without any proof of any legitimate "debt".

    Complaints suggest they're in Riverside County, CA, home to a bunch of these scams.
  • 0
    Debt collectors..
    are prohibited by FDCPA from:
    1)  engaging in deception to collect debts
    2)  engaging in abusive or harassing collection.

    They are required to send a letter within 5 days of first contact, notifying you of the alleged debt, and of your right to dispute it.  They if you dispute the debt, they are required to cease collection until they obtain proof from the original creditor and send it to you.

    Falsely implying you are being "sued" is a violation of FDCPA.  Failing to send the required letter within 5 days is another violation.  You can sue them for violations.

    Legitimate debt collectors follow the law.  The fakes make up lies, pretend "we never said that", or  "we aren't responsible for what the process server said".  The "process server" is just the guy at the next desk.

    File complaints with FTC.
    www.ftc.gov
  • 0
    The idea of...
    ,,,a process server (here known as a 'delivery company') giving their targets 'warning' goes against all common sense and, in fact, never happens.  No self-respecting process server tells the person who's supposed to get served that they are looking for them because if they did, that person being sought would decide that then was the time to take a week in Hawaii, or the perfect timing for visit to the parents on the other side of the country...in short, giving advance notice makes it almost impossible that the supposed summons will get served because the target will use the warning and get lost until the process server goes away.

    It's not impossible that this is a tactic related to 'sewer service' - a situation where the debt collector 'pretends' to have tried to serve the target and, somehow, can't seem to do it so that when the trial comes round, the debt collector can get that default judgment without having to explain if their demands for money are legitimate or not.

    Or, it could be that this was just one more 'tactic' to rattle your cage.  I'd go to your local Attorney General.  The reason why your AG would want to know about this is because debt collectors cannot, under the dictates of the FDCPA, threaten you with something that they can't actually do.  If they are a 'delivery company,' the threat of legal action (which is exactly what this was) goes beyond their pay grade.  They'd actually have to have an attorney handle this for them in which case, it would've been an attorney's office who would've called you.  Also, for the same reasons, file a complaint with the FTC and the consumer protection agency.
  • 0
    Extremely common tactic..
    It's so common, we might call it the "caller/closer" structure.  It shows up in many phone scams as a device to maintain a pretense of "plausible deniability".

    One guy calls, makes all the threats he wants, as the "process server".  the goal is to get you to call some number, where you reach a "closer", experienced in conning people, and using the prior threats to panic them, even while he denies any connection with the "process server".

    It was in all the Corona Scam scripts.  Supposedly the "process servers" (hired off the streets and only paid a "commission" if the target paid), were "independent contractors".  That maintained the pretense of no responsibility for anything they said, and if there was trouble they could just "can" the "bad apple".  The "successful" ones were those that could lie with a straight face, so it was a great job for sociopaths who like to play "attorney" or "detective".

    They got their reward when FTC raided them, and the "independent contractors" found they weren't getting paid, and weren't covered by unemployment either.
  • 0
    It is interesting..
    that they've chosen a name like "TRS Associates".  That confuses who they are, maybe deliberately, since there is a TRS Recovery that operates nationwide to collect on bad checks passed to merchants.  There's also a "TRS" aka Total Recovery Solutions, an apparently scammy debt collector with lots of complaints of FDCPA violations.

    Since this one appears to be in southern California, and follows the scam pattern common to other agencies there, it's probably not connected to either of the others.  It might help them to con money for bogus "bad checks", or it might suggest they were thinking of doing that when they made up their name.
  • 0
    Lola
    Here's a new one in NY. Westchester Document Delivery hacks your phone and calls everyone in your contact list to get information on you! Don't answer the phone for restricted numbers!!!! Total scam!! You don't owe anything and they don't have papers to serve!!!
  • 0
    They might not be hacking your phone..
    These scams commonly pay to buy skip-trace information, which includes your relatives, neighbors, and anyone every connected to any address you ever lived at. Their scripts typically outline first calling relatives or coworkers first, even when they have your own number, since they are trying to create the impression they are "process servers trying to locate you".
    Match up your contact list, and see if they called all of them, or the subset that might be obtainable through skip-trace databases.
  • 0
    Galt
    Had one leave vm saying to be home between 11-1 and i was required to be there and she along with a uniformed officer would show up and to call an out of state number for any questions there andrew shultz and associates at 210 951 8201..did a search and there in san antonio but cant find business there..there under another number also in texas 469 209 5774..
  • 0
    nikki
    I to received the same call from an andrew shultz and associates 210-951-8201 then a message from a Michelle Armstrong @ 817-385-7537 saying that she was a process server and was going to serve me
  • 0
    Bill B
    easy way to get these scumbags to leave you alone. Contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and file a complaint.
    DO NOT PAY THESE LOSERS ANY MONEY. THEY NEED TO STOP RIPPING PEOPLE OFF.
    http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
    (855) 411-2372
  • 0
    Sandi
    Got a voice mail from 210-951-8201 (Jessica Reynolds) contacting me regarding a case that's going to be filed for Sarah Brown.  She says "By law I have to make you aware of the case #126289-OH is filed. It will become a matter of public record and it will be _________  location scheduled.  Now this case is actually being filed against Sarah Brown and we were reaching out to you as a point of contact because it is a matter of public record that your name is somehow affiliated with our case. Now Miss Brown still has the legal right to contact the filing party; however, once the case is discharged from our office that will no longer be an option.  If you speak to Miss Brown it would be in her best interest to contact the office immediately before all legal rights are forfeited. The  number to contact is 210-951-8201.  This is a legal notification by telephone that will be documented on the case."  I have no idea whom she is referring to but I wanted to document this call in case it helps someone else know that this is a scam.
  • 0
    Di
    | 1 reply
    I got a similar call today. Same song and dance, courier service delivering legal papers. Nothing about it sounded legit and I googled the callback number. Same number has been used in adware scams via Safari browser on Apple computers. Where a pop up window tells you there's a problem and you need to call Apple at this number to solve it.
    • 0
      Tat replies to Di
      Those people are scammers.
      I have already done my research on them, they are looking for vulnerable people to scam. BEWARE!!!
  • 0
    tam
    Got a call from a young sounding female that knew my name and said that she was trying to get in touch with my husband, she knew his complete name...she said that the 'delivery service' company she worked for had been to our home twice and she needed to make sure today that we were going to be here to get the documents. I asked her what documents and she said that they were coming form ACPA, a company that prepares legal documents...she did not know what kind of legal documents they were but I was to call the number...877-735-3495 and give them a DA# that she provided and talk with them....I was to call them in the next 30 minutes to get the documents sent...when she said that the company had already been here twice and we were not here...that was a red flag...we are almost always here and if they did come by, why did they not leave a note like fedex does....have not called the number but after looking it up on here, am sure its a scam and scam artist....I told my husband about all the folks, especially older, that they scam and threaten with this scam....wonder how many heart attacks and strokes they have caused people to have by inciting fear of getting legal documents that she basically implied was very bad.
  • 0
    DBM
    Just a posting from 'tam' on 11/9/17, called with the same script/scam.  Called a relative's telephone, suggested it was a parcel to be delivered with 2 previous failed attempts.  Mentioned ACPA as a "litigation consultant."  When I tried to ask questions, they suggested that the connection was breaking up and just to call the same 877-735-3495 # and offer a DA#.  Suggested they could hold the delivery for 1 hour if I called the 877# immediately.
  • 0
    Jay
    My dad got targeted today with this exact scam. They called my mom and brother saying they were trying to serve legal papers. My mom called them back to let them know she no longer is married to my dad and doesn't have his info and she talked to a "michelle" who said she would remove her from the contacts. It was the same 877 number. Looking back at this thread is years old, i wonder why this operation has still not been shut down. They are using the same number and names.
  • 0
    Elle
    Just got the same call same script as everyone else, they even contacted my employer. Had the wrong last name wrong county/address it’s been over 10 years since I’ve lived there. For sure a scam
  • 0
    TSR
    This just happened to me yesterday, and the supposed document server “Jerry Wagner” called my cell again today from a blocked number. I called the number he left for me yesterday, and a “Mr. Andrews” had the last four of my ssn, asked me to verify my date of birth and I refused and he abruptly hung up on me. Pretty creeped out, but assuming they are hoping scared people, so close to Christmas, will pay something out of fear. When I asked what company they’re with, I was told “RC Associates”. The number the ‘document server’ told me to call is: 888-349-0722.
  • 0
    Ann
    Guy named Timothy called our business office and asked for a "supervisor." Now, we get at least 3 calls a week from different business solicitors. Usually, I just referr them to our Boston office and hang up. However, when I asked how I could help, this clown (who sounded as though he was just past pimples) stated that he was from DDS. He asked specifically for a supervisor (not the supposed staff person they SHOULD have attempted to contact directly) and stated that there had been a complaint filed against an employee. We are a nation-wide non-profit that works teens. In Massachusetts, the acronym DDS stands for Department of Developmental Services- not an agency we typically connect with but for a second, my attention was piqued. As I questioned hom further, he clarified that he was with National Document Delivery Service. He again asked to speak not with the person to whom this call was regarding but wanted to leave contact info with me (pretty laughable attempt at skip tracing- also against federal Fair Trade and Collections law). Turns out, he was looking for our program coordinator😂.  When I asked him to clarify his statement that "a complaint had been filed against her," he did a walk-back and suggested it may have been "failed attempts." 😆 I rolled my eyes and indicated that I'd deliver the info. Then we called the given number back. They claimed to be the answering service. When I asked why I couldn't be transferred to the business directly without the "account number" he argued that it doesn't work like that in the building- then got frustrated and put me on hold. Next call, a women answered. So I gave her the "case number" and asked for a physical address so I could send the requested documents. She stated that different cases came from different offices and gave me some obscure address in CA. Next call-I asked for the original caller (Timmy) and was connected to another ding-dong, last name (or alias) Lowe. He was so unprofessional I had to counter-abuse until he hung up on me. I had time to kill and it was pretty entertaining. So listen- these morons are bill collectors who apparently haven't been hit with a fine from the FCC or an Attorney General yet. They don't appear to be worried about it and have no problem violating federal law (this is probably their only opportunity to work at a job where they're not required to operate a fry vat- don't expect brilliance). Since they operate unprofessionally, feel free to take the same liberties! No reason this can't be fun.
  • 0
    Sharon
    I get a call as "Restricted".   By accident I answered it this morning.  He said he's a courier with my county and that he had papers to serve me.  That I needed to meet him and bring 2 forms of ID.  I told him I work in another city and that he could put the papers on my door at the house and greet my 2 big dogs with their shining white teeth.  I then hung up on him.  He called back 5 times.  I didn't answer.  He left a long text vm.

    No county server would call on a Restricted line or harrass you about papers.  I live in the country.  They would just mail it to you.   So I know they are scammers.

    I got to work and contacted Verizon on how to block "Restricted" numbers.   They have a cool app for only $4.99/month.  So I started that this morning.   I will use this app for a while until these vultures go away.
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