Fraudulent Debt Collectors Are Calling and Scaring People With Fake Payday Loan Debt Scam
These are phony debt collectors. Some of the phone numbers being used are:
646-499-6029
650-452-6236
972-472-9922
803-369-3108
818-302-7511
347-418-0401
916-458-4838
206-607-0716
760-514-0147
415-236-1916
714-006-6000
310-401-6743
209-912-2108
My clients have reported many other calls from these people and we handled it for them. But the underlying number seems to be from area codes (818), (213), (310), and (714) for the most part.
These fraudulent collectors claim you will be arrested and placed in jail unless you send money to them immediately. They will even threaten to call your place of business and report to your boss or that you have a lawsuit against you when you were never notified to begin with.
Some people are getting voice mails to even have their attorney call them back which is just another one of their scare tactics. The amounts they are seeking from people are roughly between $400 and $1,000. These telephone calls are usually received on a Friday or weekend when government offices or the payday lenders you supposedly owe money to are closed.
Their objective of this scam is to scare the person into sending money via Money Gram, Western Union or to release their bank account info, in order to stop them from having the police from coming to arrest you. But remember you cannot and will not be arrested for not paying a debt. Not paying back a debt is a civil matter.
The callers show real phone numbers in the US but these so called debt collectors are calling from a call center in India using a Voice over IP.
Again, the name of the payday loan providers given is a sham. The scammers use both the name of a real payday loan outfit and even an attorney to make the person think it’s legitimate if they check it out on the web. Again, it’s completely fraudulent.
If you get this type of call whether you owe the debt or not get a hold of the original creditor and seek information regarding this. As well please go your state attorney general’s website and file a complaint. You can also file a separate complaint with the FTC. All this can be done online.
If you have been called or targeted please list the name and number below so others can benefit from it as well. We would love to stop these guys from preying on innocent people. You can also file a complaint at the Internet Crime Center http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Some of our clients have used this intimidation tactic on the scammers. They start out asking the person calling them these simple questions:
”What did you say your name was?
Can you spell that for me?
What is your address?
Can you please spell that for me as well?
And what’s the best number to reach you or a direct line?
Then repeat it back to them.
What is the name of your company?
Can you spell that for me?
I need your supervisor’s name also, and please spell it for me.
I also need their direct line too.”
And so on and so forth…
They always get frustrated because the clients insist these questions be answered before the allow the scammer to speak and they always hang up first.
Another quick tactic is to just pretend you have no idea what they are saying because you can’t understand what they are saying.
New number called today 630-322-0797 same Indian payday scammers, Willie & Wilson Legal Associates, Mr Albert White (very thick Indian accent and bad English) Says I will be arrested by CSI on Thursday at work if I dont pay $800. I called him back several times just to screw with him, the last call was from my “attorney” Macho Man Randy Savage (old tv wrestler from the 80s) he didn’t even get it. This is a stupid scam.
New number 646-499-6029 stating first he is Officer Watkins, and tehn Allen Smith with the Government Law Office (yeah if they did not have heavy indian accents). They have threatened to have cops come to my office, when I asked for the company name and address he would not give me information. Stated that they e-mailed me abou this which is BS, then called again leavinga voicemail stating that They were laving a message for my Manager, stating that I had federal charges and that I used the company name. I place an IC3 complaint against the number.
These guys keep calling me, too. 347-380-8980 is the latest number. The scariest thing about this scam is that they already have all of your personal information. Through researching these scammers, I’ve found out that people who find themselves in need of emergency funds and actually turn to payday loans and apply for a payday loan online, with one of those sites that “matches you with the best lender” is where these people actually get their information. I applied for a payday loan online through one of those sites, but never actually took a loan out. That’s when these calls started. They already have my name, social security number, place of employment, address, etc… they even have my bank account information! Why? Because I gave it right to them on that website! If you go along with the call long enough and make them believe you are going to pay them, they will ask you to fax over a notarized letter stating that you are not going to dispute the payment once it goes through. They do this so that their illegal scam becomes legal – you have given them permission to take your money and have stated you won’t try to get it back. While it is scary that they already have your bank information and they could just take money from your account if they really wanted to, they won’t because then it becomes illegal. Don’t fall for it, and don’t play games with them. They like that and they’ll keep calling you just for the thrill of it. Don’t even answer the phone. If you do answer one of their calls, simply hang up. They can’t arrest you or serve you a subpoena or do any of the things they threaten to do to you. The worst they can do is annoy you, and call people you have listed as references. I just told the people I listed on my application what was going on, apologized for it, and asked them to also hang up and not to pay it any attention. Good luck, and don’t let them rattle you no matter what they say.
The number that called me with the same scenario was 308-443-1894. Thick Indian accent, and kept calling and changing his name. I reported them to the dept of consumer affairs. When I called this person out, he first cursed me out and then decided to make a joke of it and started asking me to marry him, and started asking personal questions. I of course did not tell him anything, but I did tell him that his phony company has been reported. They go by the name of Detection for Financial Fraud, or DFF. I also blocked my cell phone from receiving calls from that number. Please if you are getting these calls report them to the Dept of Consumer affairs at 800-771-7755.
Public Credit Services
(347) 380-8980
Calls every few days for one of my employees. Because we field these calls they have not disclosed the purpose of the call. However, they state they are calling from a law firm and they are legal assistants.
When we decline letting them speak to this employee they threaten violence, use foul language, and lewd remarks.
(408)409-7802
Calling about my mother…told me if I didn’t take this call seriously they were going to give my ssn and driver license number to the police and have me arrested. When I told him he was a fraud he called me some awful names Beware. Thy are very nasty people.
Receiving calls from 508-313-2173 claiming to be an atty’s office calling for the Dept of Law and Investigation. Claiming i owe Cash Advance America and when i ask for more information they will not give it. They say the are having me arrested at 11 am tomorrow morning and then i’ll get the info in court. When i kept pushing, they hung up several times as i kept calling back. When i finally got someone else named Charlie i told him you cant just threaten to arrest people and then keep hanging up on them without giving them any information. He said that i wasnt going to get arrested they were going to “investigate” with the company that i said i didnt owe and get back to me with the latest info. In the mean time i have found out how this is all scams!! I even put a complaint in with the FTC.
I continue to receive harassing and threating phone calls from 347-380-8980. The calls are from a Steven Johnson, Sean Johnson or James Johnson from PCS Law Investigators. The are claiming that they represent Cash Advance USA and they are demanding payment be sent via wire transfer. They have called my home and my place of employment. When I ask that they send me something in writing, they refuse. When I refuse to make payment, they threaten to have me arrested or contact my payroll department and have my wages garnished. When I tell them that they have to get a judgment or court order for wage garnishment, they become frustrated and hang up on me, then they call back using a different name. I intend to file a complaint with the FTC. This is a total scam.
I always have a guy with a thich indian accent calling my office and my cell phone stating that i owe money to a short term loan company. i know he is lying because everytime he calls its the same guy just a different name (Steven Johnson, Carl Johnson, James Johnson, or Andrew Baker). At one point he said he was Police Officer Jonathan Lee (since when do cops call regarding lawsuits?? ) I did actually entertain the call for awhile at one point cause they caught me off guard. I work for a Law Firm and know the law and what they are telling me is going to happen to me is obviously false. They said that they rep a short term loan company and i asked what date was the money entered into my acct? – they said 11-10-10 (checked my acct – no such deposit into my acct) – i asked what was the last 4 digits to the bank account # – he said 8823 – which is not mine. I asked for the # for the loan company – after going back and forth (he did NOT want to give it to me) he finally provided the # When i called a guy with a thick indian accent answered and said he was with a loan company and needed my case # – so i went to the other phone line and asked the guy from the “law firm” for my case # – and he gave me a bunch of numbers – when i went back to the “loan company” i gave the #’s to him (but i switched the #’s around) and miraculously my account profile came up – give me a break!!! – total scam!!!! the #’s they call me from are 347-380-8980, 512-600-0493, 856-210-2580, and 215-909-6058.
Same calls for the past month and even called to speak to my supervisor at work they just won’t leave me alone and that I will go to jail and to have my attorney call them and I just want help
New number this week 18778104090
Person with middle eastern accent calls himself officer robin Jackson
The Bastard call me from the #619-365-5542. He claimed exactly what you reported. He said I must allow him to read all the charges filed against me without interruption, I listened for a while then interrupted he got mad and told me he was going to have me arrested. I asked him for a case number, he crinkled some paper and came up with 3pa-59864251. He said I had 24 hrs to have my attorney make arrangements to pay $9,000.00 for the pay day loan fraud. Oh ya, when I asked for his name he said it was Brian Curwitz, a guy that sounds like Baboo from Seinfeld is named Brian, right
408-459-3272- A guy named kennth, said the same things, I have to appear in court by 11am tommorrow and he had to read me the charges without being inttrupted. I closed my accouts and opened new ones and filed a complaint with my police department. This is insane.
803-369-3108. Just called my mother’s house looking for me. Investigator’s name was William Oaks. Claimed that someone filed a claim against me and that a judgement will be issued against me if I do not contact them within 24-48 hours. Also noted that I should hire an attorney. I called the number back and got the same recording, that all investigator’s were busy and to please wait. A scam indeed. I am reporting to the FTC as well.
1-979-871-8770 I dont even know his name. I went to local police they told me to make bank aware of it and check my 3 credit reports to see if theres anything suspicious is going on there.
OMG! This is ridiculous! How do you make them stop. I can’t believe they have the boldness to threaten you.
Received a call from “Lisa Smith” number was private.
she informed me that she was a “private investigator” for “dockets liens and seizures” and that there was a pending complaint filed against me, and possible identity theft.
She gave me the phone number 803-369-3108 along with a “claim nubmber”
I was instructed to call this number for further action.
I called them number, told them I knew they were a scam and they immediately hung up.
what a croc!
New short code they are calling from 91794 AND the caller ID says AHEMDABAD,INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!
The number was 707-723-0185. He sais his boss’ name was James Brown and his name was Eric. Pretty much told me what they are telling all of you. I am so thankful I found this website. I hope this helps others.
The keep calling and have been calling since October. They claim I have 3 case action lawsuits under my name and social. They provide me with my name, SS, address, email, work name and address, and my bank account information. They really did scare me with the first phone call. I immediately contacted the local authorities and requested a background check. I also signed up for identity theft protection for my social security number and credit protection. I have made the bank, my family, and work aware of these harassing, threatening, phony phone calls. I have had some many different names, company, and different phone numbers call. Most from the numbers above, but recently from 701-786-1571 from the US Financial Department. But, they are telling me the very same things mentioned in above. Do you know they even called me on Thanksgiving?? Please share what you find out and how we can handle this. Especially, when they are going as low as calling your jobs.
First call from Eric Mathews 718-713-4439
Second call from Matt Thompson (caller Id number 310-933-0195) but he left me another contact number 310-237-8555
AFter applying for payday loan on line I have been harrassed by a man possing to be an attorney telling me i am having 3 charges of fraud against me for not paying a loan i never recieved. They have called me three times twice using the same script and when i actually talked to someone i was not given any information on this supposed loan. Very rude but they were sure to bless me!!
Below is something creative I read that someone did in response to the harassment.
This people are crazy I am glad that I found this website. Thank you guys very much!
Your very welcome April.
They called my brother yesterday about the samething about a month ago. But this time it was a male that called him, he stated to my brother that he has a suepena for me and this is the only addres I have for me can he mail it there. My brother told this guy stop call here and he dosen’t live here.
So I can that number back first time, he told me that it’s for cash advance payday loan and stated you had made payment agrrements of 105.95 for Dec 11, 2011 and it came back NSF. I told the guy that I request to cancel my payments and send me a supeona I cotinue to satted to him that I don’t owe no one sepecially CashAdvance” and I report my card stolen that night. I then asked for more information then all of sudden he hung up on me. I called back the second time got the same guy I talked, I first ask why he hung up on me, no answer, line was slience, when I said hello he told to wait why I get someone else, another guy came on and told what is going on, I relpy back you sound like the same person, only thing he said to me that the supeona will mailed out to me within 10-15 days, then he hung up up. I called the third tiime and got a female I have asked for their address and she continue to give me 4700 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC. I told her that strange when I looked up the address your business isn’t their, she stated we have been in business for 25 years at the same address, we like to keep our business private. Then I asked her why don’t you send any letters or legal documents to my address, her reply was we don’t send out documents. Then she butted in and “I have several calls coming I got to go” and she hung up. When she said that I didn’t hear no phones ringing.
That business address I have spoken with the building owner and he stated told me that their is no business of that name in that building, never has been, The number isn’t even from Columbia Area, the number is from Salley, SC an hour away from Columbia.
Phone number 646-328-2044; shows up on caller ID as “0000″.
“Officer Michael Wright” (heavy Hindu accent).
“Case file *******”.
Went on to detail affadavits; wachovia bank; check fraud; stolen money; all from “US Fast Cash”.
Offered me the option to “settle out of court”. Yeah right.
I told him I had found out about this scam and was reporting his number to the Internet Crime Division.
He stuttered a bit, and then said “turn on your tv, sir, within 2 days you will see it all over the tv” at which point I hung up.
America payday called me Friday, stating that I did not pay back a loan of $500 and that it was sent to them on 10-21-11 for them to collect. They told me that I was going to be sent to court and I was facing three criminal charges. They also would not send me documentation about the debt. They kept saying we have already contacted you by email and that you have already received it before. They said since its an online payday loan and paperless they didn’t have to send me any papers about my charges. They said that they would send someone on Monday to my house to pick me up for court. Then they said we can offer you an out of court settlement but you would have to send $789.56 dollars via western union today. As well as an apology letter stating I was sorry and I didn’t mean to do this and that I wouldn’t fight the debt. The man that called me was Frazier no last name. The person they wanted me to send the western union to was christopher devenport. The number they called from was 818-351-8965. They would not tell me the name of the place that the loan was from. They just kept saying the website and that I had received the documents via email already. After I kept asking for proof they finally said that the payment option is no longer available and that it will be solved in court. I know I had nothing out standing for loans. I paid everything off in September and didn’t take anything out till november. Has this happened to anyone recently?
Yes its the same old story with these guys. Since they cannot validate the debt that shows you its not a legitimate collector, as well no one who is suing you will pick you up for court.
I am in the same category. This guy name Mike, keeps calling my job saying I need to talk to him. I did get a payday loan through Cash Advance and I need to pay them. But these people keeps calling my job and using all of our extensions. My customers could not get through or if anyone is calling for an emergency. It is a 417 area code. What can I do?
Give us a call Tina at 888-250-5005 and we can see what can be done.
I made the mistake of poking around on some those payday-loan cash-advance type websites, which was due to me being a full-time student so scraping by on barely anything until my next student loan check, and now I have random calls ALL THE TIME! Even at the salon where I work part-time! Here’s a couple of them….202-280-7071, 200-000-0123(Really?? Last one even looks fake lol)
I was contacted by this guy. It was a blocked number. It was a 646 area code. I thought something was funny about it but like it was weird, it seemed so legit.
He said I’d be arrested in 2 hours if they dont have the money. I didn’t have the money! They said I owed 425 dollars.
So, my stupid butt paid them $120…
How do I get this back? And what do I do?
The problem is you cant that is why they have you Western Union them the money. You cannot ever be arrested for owing a debt.
707-969-0053, 786-228-5563(Think he said his name was Lawn Mcloud),518-636-7150 (Officer Steve Martin at Hollands and hart law firm)
Hi. I am EXTREMELY happy to find this website!!!!!! After literally ALL day about to have a freaking heart attack…I finally realized I was being scammed! A Lady from a supposed law firm named holland and schwartz (her name: Janice Hall) called me this morning and told me that I had to pay them $1000.00 today or they would put a warrant out for my arrest. Said I had three bad checks out but could never give me any information on who I owed. Said it went to collections and because collections could never reach me it went to them. Now they are taking legal action and are going to charge me the $1000.00 plus attorney fees, totalling 4700.00, AND put a warrant out for my arrest if I didn’t atleast pay the $1000.00 today. I almost did it people. They had me crying, shaking, almost went to the hospital over it….DONT FALL FOR IT!!!!!!!! I have also read online that NOONE can put a warrant out for your arrest for an unpaid debt. I wish I could find these people so I could rip their freaking heads off!!!! My head is pounding over this bs! What they do is, if you have EVER applied for or had a payday loan they can hack into your information and pose as a law firm. Incredible isn’t it????? Again….dont EVEN waist your time with them!! The stress they put you through is not worth it!! Had my husband at stroke level too.
New number 213-261-5794
347-827-3358 Robert or Roger Finch, 607-595-2318 Officer Dexter Crew, 914-364-9985. I recieve threats call to pay a payday loan that was 6-7 yrs ago that I know I paid off. I was stupid and dumb when the first guy call me, Robert Finch. I never have anyone call and threat me to pay. I was scared and pay off about $1100.00 b/c he told me that it will settle my case. A month, like 3 wks later got a call from Office Dexter Crew saying that I still owe them $850.00. I panic again. They call me again at work. My supervisor answer the phone and the first thing they ask her was my last 4 digit of my ss#. She didn’t give it to them. I then got on the phone and argue w/ Dexter for like 20 min. I was thinking of paying them too. Came and talk to my supervisor and boss about it. They told me not to pay them b/c if i do owe money they should send a letter, but I never got it. I was navie and stupid. I even contact an Attorney on this. He told me that they’re just trying to scared me to pay them. They have no rights to tell me that they will have someone come to my work place to arrest me. So when Dexter call back I told him that I was not going to pay him, he went off at me that I should get my attorney to see who is right. That someone will be at my work place tomorrow to arrest me. Now he’s leaving threats voicemail on my cell.
813-333-0392 I can’t remember the name of the company, but that is the number. A woman called with a thick indian accent. She called this morning and left a message. The second call was this afternoon and I spoke with her. She told me she needed my lawyers information. I said I have already researched this call and it’s a scam. She said I owed $15,000. I laughed and said you are a scam. She said oh really, well when they come to your job in 30 minutes to drag you off to court you can explain that then. I said ok, that’s fine.
I received a call today from 310-872-2186 demanding that i pay 300 dollars or be arrested immediately. Has this number been validated as a “scam” or is it an actual creditor??
These people have been calling me for months with several different area codes (410) (310) (950) etc. I made the mistake of giving them around 5,000 dollars in the beginning and now they won’t let me alone. They have called me at work, spoke to my bosses and supervisors! This is a nightmare. Now they are harrassing my coworkers, calling their wok phones and asking for me at all hours of the night and morning! Austin Reed is the person name and he is very rude and has a deep accent. Will this ever stop? I work at a hospital and this is so embarrassing! SOS
A place named cash now is calling saying they are going to have a warrant out out for my arrest. They filed my taxes for me and deducted their fee and they are saying I owe the fee if I don’t pay it I will have a warrant Monday morning. The guy who called saying he was “senior processor” for warrants also answered Cash now business phone. The number is 901-755-2292. Can they really do this? I have not received a letter from them or anything.
305-290-5108, 518-636-7150, 305-290-5108 are the three numbers that have been calling me since 1 pm this morning threating me saying i owe a payday loan from orlando florida its a bunch of bull wow he called me out my name i dont know how many times threatening to come to my house or sending a cop to arrest me im done with there games its payback time ….
I have recieved these calls as well. Even at work and they told my secretary I would be prosecuted! The number is 814-347-2007
https://complaint.ic3.gov/default.aspx
I JUST FILED A COMPLAINT HERE
Received so many calls on my cell phone that I changed my number. Then, while I was on vacation, a guy from “Adam and Lawrence Law firm” called my job (I work for a very high government official). I called back this morning, the number was 410-834-2599. He was very aggressive and said that his name was Adam Smith or Harris something. Said that I took a payday loan out and that I owe money. Said he has my SSN and my email address (he read my address to me), and said that they are filing a law suit against me. I told him I’ve never taken out a loan from anyone, and that I’d love to see his proof. He assured me that he has it, and said he’d email it to me. I notified my office in case of future calls, and I am notifying the Atty General now.