Fake process server calls

ComplaintsCollection AgenciesThurston and Associates

Complaint

0
Quintin L King
Country: United States
I have received numerous calls from this "company", all of which start with a request for address verification for Process serving. Intimations that a law suit has been filed (the Company, to the best of my knowledge is in Florida, I live and own a business in Illinois). What process server doesn't have an address? These people call constantly and wont reveal the name of the entity for which they are collecting unless you "confirm" your address and last four of social. I am formally filing a complaint with the FTC and the Florida Dept of Financial Regulation, but wondered if anyone has had experience with these people?

Comments

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  • 0
    tj
    Your complaint fits a pattern common with fake "debt" extortion rackets.

    There are basically 2 categories:
    1)  Indian or Pakistani fake "payday loan" scammers calling from overseas, often reported to have thick accents, use ridiculous fake "law enforcement agency" names, and make outrageous threats of "arrest", "prosecution", or "lawsuits".

    2)  U.S. based fake "debt collection" scammers, often using calls by fake "process servers", to pretend to be sueing.

    They both depend on their threats and deception to con people into paying them before they have had any chance to check them out.  In particular, neither ever provides any proof any debt is owed.

    There were a number of debt collectors running this type of scam, located in the Jacksonville FL area.  The Florida AG shut several down, including Ellis Crosby, but they may just be moving, changing their names, and continuing "business as usual".  In one case, a new scam "debt collector" started showing up in complaints under the phone number of the one just shut down.  They apparently hadn't even terminated their phone service.

    What phone numbers?
    Any accents?
    Do they want you to call back some number?
    Any threats, like that you will be "arrested" if you don't call back, or don't disclose your SSN?
    Any other details?
  • 0
    tj
    By the way, do not confirm even your last 4 digits of SSN to any unknown caller.  

    Even the lowest security access to the skip-trace service Accurint will reveal the first 5 SSN digits for anyone, and if you enter the last 4, it will confirm a match, revealing the full 9 digits.

    SSN security is basically full of holes.
  • 0
    Bolanos
    I'm getting numerous calls for someone who does not live in my home. I called them to let them know to stop harrassing my mom's house and they said they can't because they spoke to his mom and brother saying he lived there. First of all, we have no brothers. Second of all we have absolutly NO ONE in our family even close to having the last name they are looking for. Lastly, we just got that number less than 5 months agot and i told them all these things and they still refused to stop calling. The women that call are so rude to my mom and told me they will not stop calling until they speak to that person, who we know nothing about and told me they dont care.
  • 0
    Bolanos
    I should have also added that they are from the same company saying that this person is being served and has to be in court or is going to be served everyday until he comes in. I live in Arizona and this company like you said is in Florida. They are such con-artist.
  • 0
    Quintin L King
    Excellent advice TJ. They call from the following 800 number (888)242-1315.
    These folks are American...
    Very careful about the language they use re: suits/criminal actions, etc...but continuously badger about confirmation of last four and address. Given what you said in your post, I see what the scam is (verification of the last four and address, will get you the remaining social and ID theft).
    I checked to determine if there was a Thurston and Associates listed in Florida as a collections agency, and there is. Oddly, that company's license was issued only a day before the calls started.


    Of further interest: I started to get these strange calls, such as this one, after re-signing a contract with Verizon wireless.
  • 0
    Furious in Texas
    Does anyone have there physical address or how to get it? They keep harrassing my family in Florida but I live in Texas. I would like to complain about them and send them a letter.
  • 0
    Quintin King
    | 3 replies
    I looked them up in Florida (which is where they claimed to me to have a license). Here is a website that leads to them, but no phone number

    https://real.flofr.com/ConsumerServices/Searc ... 414&licDesc=CCA

    I am filing a complaint on my letterhead (I am a lawyer/lobbyist) and would be happy to file a complaint for everybody....
    • 0
      Robbann replies to Quintin King
      | 1 reply
      thank you for wanting to help. this so called company took over  $900.00 from my acct before i realized that they was fake. I couldn't get any imfo. on them. I ever closed my acct. I even called the place ehere i had my accout to see where they sent the balance for collections, they said that is not one of their agencies. please tell me what i need to do.
      • 0
        tj replies to Robbann
        Contact the Florida Attorney General.
    • 0
      idkigotscamd replies to Quintin King
      Did u have any luck in court with these people?
  • 0
    Kitty
    I can't believe what I am reading about these people..it is happening to us also... James.. does this name sound familiar as to who is calling you?... he keeps calling with the same story you all are writing about..he told me he was sending officers to my door.. I told him to please do...he then gets annoyed that I would even think of talking back to him....if you all are wanting to file complaint, please, count me IN!
  • 0
    Kitty
    Can you say Class Action Law Suite!!
  • 0
    Furious in TX
    | 3 replies
    Ok people here is what I've gathered.
    Thurston & Associates LLC
    5270 Old Cheney Hwy
    Orlando FL 32807

    Owned by JT Financial Inc
    Orange County Tax ID #3400-1092768
    write a letter to them, make sure it's certified and tell them you are disputing claim and state a cease and desist order from calling you. Make sure you state that harrassment is a crime an so is false representation eg 'fraud' and that threats are illegal 'serving you'
    And call 1-888-242-1315 and give them crap. I called 4 times today and now they send me straight to voicemail. I won't confirm my ss# and they won't give me any info. I just want them to stop calling my parents.
  • 0
    Alicia
    My husband is getting calls from these people.  We used to live in Florida and drop our rent checks to a place that was located on Old Cheney.  I am now wondering if they got his information from an old lease agreement that would have his social security number on it.
  • 0
    tj
    If they claim they are trying to collect on some alleged debt from you, in Texas, be aware that Texas requires even out of state debt collectors to be licensed and bonded in the state of Texas.

    Debt collectors calling Texas residents without a license and bond violate Texas law, and the Texas AG will issue a cease and desist order and/or fine them.

    Let them contact you, then contact the Texas AG.
    Also, if they contact you, get their address and send a certified letter disputing the debt.  Under Texas law, if they fail to respond to your dispute within 30 days, they have another violation, and you can sue them, in Texas.
  • 0
    tj
    Notify them by certified mail to cease calling you (give your number).

    If they continue to harass you with calls, file complaints with FTC, your state AG, and the Florida AG, then find an attorney and sue them for violating TCPA ($500 to $1500 penalty PER CALL).
  • 0
    tj
    You cannot trust ANYTHING that some debt collector says on the phone.

    If they contact you, provide NO information, but dispute any alleged debt, demanding proof that you owe it.

    If they keep harassing you without providing any proof, sue them for violating FDCPA.  You might find an attorney in your state through www.naca.net
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