Doesn't matter what the caller says, even if they claim to have your personal information. Don't confirm that it might even be correct. Better yet, don't answer it.

"Gary Webb" of 206-316-5784 called literally about ten times in about 5 min, to discuss "charges" against me. Said he knew my number was owned by "Alan ***" which is not true. When I told him he was an idiot and I could jerk him around all day, he bluffed that he could just "come down there" and serve papers on me. Are we getting divorced? Haha. His voice was American, and he sounded serious, but this ain't my first rodeo. He tries to sound like a cop and uses the word "investigation" a lot, but is of course vague about what organization he's actually representing. He gave up calling eventually.

Who are these people?

The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.

I AM BEING PRANK BY "CLAIMED OFFICER  JOHN GARCIA AND WILLIAMS. DON'T WORRY I REPORTED THIS TO  OUR CHP, ATTORNEY GENERAL , FBI IN CALIFORNIA.

Oh! my golly I have the same situation as above and to think I work for the investigation branch. I received a threatening call from OFFICER JOHN, GARCIA,-206-316-8320 code 6030,  ROBIN TAYLOR AND CALL HIMSELF OFFICER WILLIAMS. Same thing officer Garcia claimed  he is a fraud investigator and with very heavy accent. I thought he was NIGERIAN OR INDIAN because he does not sound like spanish to me. I received his call several tiimes at work MORE THAN 10 X BEFORE CHRISTMAS, even my boss and my section chief,  they harrassed , that they will come and arrest me, or they will file a law suit in my local court. Mr. Garcia even asked me to typed in a promisory notes that i will be pay 2 increment of $294.50 for  the total amount that I owed  $500. Stupid of me I did faxed the notes afraid that he will do such thing ,sue me. Also he made a threat that if I do not pay that they do something with my social security. But then again he told me that they do not accept debit card only pre-paid visa or master card. So I did obtained a prepaid for the amount of $100. because that is the only money I can afford that time. So I fax it to him the auth ,the number of the card , then I received a call back stating that his creditor  did not aceept my payment , and I got suspicious so I took the money out of the prepaid. Why will he not accept specially if I am willing to make payments and this things happened before christmas. So why will he not. So now 1/11/11, I received a call again from "claimed officer Williams 206- 451- 5432 and made a threat to our entire office that he will come to arrest me. So my section chief call CHP POLICE AND WE  WAITED. But no one came . So now I google the number and sure enough the whole thing came up about this scammmmmmmmmmm. So i am being scam too. Luckily I withdrew the money . So what shall I do, I am going to CHP  AND ATTORNEY GENERAL NEXT DOOR AND FILE A COMPLAINT AND GIVE THEM A COPY OF THIS SCAM. BY THE WAY MY BOSS CALL THE NUMBER AND NOT EXISTING the 206-451-5432.

I've been thru s*** about this people and others too. i have 4 different ones that are calling reg this. i didn't know about all of this scams but i did fall for it. yes i know don't lecture me or call me stupid i've done that enough. 4 years ago i was in rough position that i did apply for a couple of loans and then things went don't hell for me. long story short at this moment i was not sure if my bank had paid them but i know i didn't. now they are calling me out of all those 4 i fell for one they got me for a good $600 which my bank will give back to me. on this nmber 2063168320 and claim this time his name is officer michael green but caller id says 052569163. yes again i should have known better. my bank will file an identy theft for me, already went to the police and when i found out the truth i called this people back and trust me they did not want to hear from me again, kept hangin up and their last word is the cops will get you tomorrow. we'll see i would love them to so i can sue them for harrasment threatning me at work and cell. as of right now they have not talked to my job or anyone in my family thankfully but i will have to get a good lawyer for identy theft. DO NOT TAKE ANY OF THIS CALL. BUT ANSWER THE CALL 1 TIME AND TELL THEM WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THEM BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T TELL THEM YOU KNOW, THEY WILL CONTACT SOMEONE YOU KNOW TO GET A HOLD OF YOU.here are the others that i found
CASHNETUSA (or something)ALICE JOHNSON/JONES 5127290221. he has a worker who also calls for her which i cannot remember
CASHADANCE-MICHAEL DAVIS/STEVE JOHNSON/STEVE ROBERTSON/JOE BROWN/KEVIN ???/ADAM??? 7144597319/6465568263
ACLS-STEVE STRADDIN 7722452107/6469188890
there are also so called lawyers out there that work with this people called JT Simons Lw Group

This guy has not only threated to arrest me but has continuously call my family members.I was wondering as to whom may this person be.He has a indian accent and supposes to be demanding but at the same time when you return his call the voicemail picks up and tells you that you are calling a different number.I would like him to come to my doorstep because if he decides to do so the cops will have already been outside waiting on his a**.So come on Mr.lets find waldo.LOL We all are ready for you.Time doesnt last long.He poses as though he is a police officer.If anyone else gets this call DO NOT WORRY!!!! ITS A SCAMMMMMMM!!!!!!! BIG DANE Im with you on this one.LOL

Yes; I agree!! Talk to them!! Let them know that you have hired a LAWYER!! Impersonating is a CRIME and can be sentenced to jail if not prison TIME!!!!!!!!!!!


Contact a LAWYER, The POLICE, The BBB, FBI, Surgeon General............ They will work for you the victim!!

They WILL not WORK for the WANNA BE'S!!!!!!!!!!

I received this message today too. From the same person calling from 206 316 8320. This is what was said to me...
That if I didn't pay the amount owed immeditately that there is a warrant for my arrest for fraud......

I have been reading about it... I am going to the police and I will be contacting the BBB & the FBI too.
They had all of my personal information too. No telling who or where they called and told this information to.

Go to the POLICE............ THE FBI as quick as you can!

My friend received several calls from this number. The person stated his name was Officer ?, the accent was too heavy to make out the name.  He said he was calling from Washington and provided this call back number. He mentioned something about fraud and he need a call back right away.  My friend never returned the call. The caller never gave a company name.

This guy just called me talking about I owe $400 and he will be at my doorstep and it will be to worst day of my life. He sound like he was Indian, and he claim to be a police officer.

Don't know them wish not to recieve anymore future calls from this number  or another number

yes talk to them ............

I received several phone calls from an odd number claiming to be Robin Miller and his number was (206) 316-8320. He said he was calling in regards to a payday loan which I have never taken out and was trying to collect a debt. Scary thing is he had all my information . Does anyone know how to handle a situation like this ?

I had one of these dots call and leave a message with my ssn and other personal information, what other numbers are they calling and leaving this information? One called my company today her name was officer Anna Kelley and spoke with my assistant today. She today my assistant I was being investigated for financial crimes. What is up wit these people?? I have filed a formal complaint with the attorney general of NC as of this morning. Ms. Revis was very helpful and reassuring....There are times that it is good for big brother to have your back.

sorry this no. is from FCI ADEPARTMENT OF US FAST CASH INTERNATIONAL ...........

this no.belongs to FCI Financial crimes invetigation..................

For at least the last four years, possibly longer, a group has been calling former payday loan applicants advising them that they have defrauded a bank and are now being sued for non-payment of a loan.  The callers will claim to be calling on behalf of an attorney's office (name varies), the Dept. of Law and Investigation, ACS, or other similar combinations below:

United Legal Processing Division
Midline Marketing
Crime Monitoring Services
Monetary Crime Division
U.S. National Bank
Attorney General?s Office (usually in California)
American Legal Services
Affidavit Consolidation Services (ACS)

You will be threatened with arrest, a costly trial and possibly worse.  In no shape, way or form can you be arrested for non-payment on a consumer debt.  Do not believe these threats, as they are without merit and cannot be carried out in the manner they allege.  

Who are they?

In the past when pressed by law enforcement for an address, the callers have provided the following information:

David Morgan and Associates
Morgan & Associates
Morgan Associates
954-727-8481
1155 Northwest 85th Street
Wintergarden, Florida  33150
(Address is likely invalid)

The collector's MO matches a once legit collections agency called Ellis Crosby & Associates.  Here are some links on them:

http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/ellis_crosby_and_associates.htm
http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/EllisCrosbyJudgment.pdf

They have been previously fined over $1.3 million for various violations.  They have been known to use phone banks in India to make their calls, which more or less coincides with the difficult to understand accent many of us detect when we are contacted.  

The last time this group went by any "official" name was back in 2008:

Ellis Crosby & Associates / Douglas & Morgan Associates
4494 Southside Boulevard Suite #200
Jacksonville Florida 32216
Phone:  800-928-3536 / (904) 928-3536
(Address is likely invalid)

There are NUMEROUS consumer alerts out against this group of individuals:

Florida:
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061107/met_176207561.shtml

Kansas:  
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ks_debt_collection.html

Colorado:  
http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/press/ ... lls_likely_orig

Rhode Island:  
http://www.collectionscreditrisk.com/news/rho ... -3002135-1.html

West Virginia:
http://www.wvago.gov/internetloanscam.cfm

Missouri:
On July 15th, 2010 a Public Awareness Bulletin was sent out by Missouri Information Analysis Center.  

"..received reports from individuals in Ohio and Illinois reference suspicious telephone calls they received. In both instances, the callers are reporting that a voicemail is received from a man, with a Middle Eastern accent, identifying himself as an officer working with the Financial Crimes Unit.  The message indicates that the reason for the call concerns a loan made by the receiver or someone in the receiver's family. The voicemail requests that a return call be made and a telephone number is provided. When a return call is made, the caller is asked to provide personal identifying information such as their date of birth and social security number.

Reports indicate that the calls are frequent and persistent and that they even threaten arrest or legal action if information or money is not provided. It appears that the individuals making these calls may have access to some records connecting individuals and their relatives.  Missouri does not have a Financial Crimes Unit and all indications are that this is a fictitious agency. If you receive a similar phone call, please be advised that it is a scam and please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Missouri Information Analysis Center at 866-362-6422."

Bottom line:

Do not supply the callers with any additional information.  Inform them you have reported them to law enforcement and hang up.  If you haven't already, go ahead and report the calls to local law enforcement, your state's Attorney General and beyond.  Look up the local Secret Service branch's information in your area and get in contact with an agent there.  

If you ever applied for a cash advance online, your information is out there.  
Possible sources for the breach of your privacy are:

* The scammers obtained your information from Teletrack - a reporting agency used by many cash advance lenders to determine their risk lending to you.  The service is able to tell cash advance lenders if you have existing loans with other companies, for example.  Many state laws prohibit borrowers from having more than two cash advances out at the same time.

* The scammers created their own fake payday loan application site.  People looking for a cash advance went to the site and applied, thus freely providing the scammers with their information for malicious use at a later time.  

* The scammers were able to get into the database(s) of cash advance lenders - probable targets being Sonic Payday and Cashnet USA.  


How to protect yourself:

* Inform your employer.  You are likely getting calls at home and/or at work, so make sure your employer is aware the calls are part of a scam and to not take them seriously.  Advise the callers that they are no longer allowed to call you at work.  If they continue to call, document the date and time of the calls you received.  Save voice mails left if at all possible.  

* Change your number(s).  For some this may not be an option, for others a one-time number change can be done free of charge.

Be advised - any references you listed on your payday loan application will be contacted.  Let those people know that this is a scam, and they can disregard.

* Use Google Voice.  Google Voice is a great replacement voice mail system for just about any phone number you use.  Messages can be transcribed and voice mail recordings can be saved as mp3 files.  

Pro Tip - call the scammers with a Google Voice number before turning off your old phone numbers.  Make sure when you call you identify yourself so they can start up their script.  At any point after they have your information pulled up just hang up.  They will then start religiously calling your Google Voice number.  At this point, you are free to change your regular phone number(s) and enjoy not having these people ever call you again.  (And laugh at the fact these people are basically talking to a brick wall several times a day)

The scammers change their numbers frequently.  Law enforcement used to think it was because the callers ran out of minutes on their prepaid wireless accounts or they were shuttered due to fraud, but now they understand it's simply to evade detection by savvy consumers online.  With the proliferation of VoIP, it's even easier for the crooks to stay a couple of steps ahead of law enforcement.  Below is just a sampling of the 30+ numbers that have been used in recent memory.

1-201-244-7722
1-209-349-7382
1-209-797-2212
1-212-500-0839
1-213-256-0408
1-213-995-3039
1-281-763-0433
1-347-289-3902
1-347-844-6817
1-347-844-6831
1-424-354-4270
1-516-232-8905
1-516-232-8935
1-518-212-0219
1-561-300-8018
1-561-210-4185
1-626-200-4646
1-631-456-4041
1-646-274-1143
1-646-810-8635
1-650-241-4604
1-707-401-4056
1-707-633-2789
1-708-401-0535
1-716-442-2824
1-717-862-4080
1-718-705-8669
1-760-514-0132
1-760-563-5384
1-772-318-4938
1-850-201-1111
1-858-777-1977
1-859-908-2281
1-866-860-4509
1-877-226-7488
1-888-706-7463
1-888-771-9249
1-888-785-4479
1-909-327-4870

So can they really do anything to you?

It's not a simple yes or no answer.  Logic dictates that, if they really wanted to take you for a ride and drain your bank accounts, they already would have.  

So, why haven't they?  

Authorization.  

Why do you think you are being called so much?  Perhaps it is because they like the sound of your voice?  No, they have to have your authorization to take any form of payment from you, period.  The callers know their audience, and that audience is typically a bunch of people that have applied for payday loans in the past.  Most of those people they call couldn't afford an attorney if they wanted one, and are so used to receiving collections calls that so long as they sound like a real collector, they will likely be perceived as one.

Furthermore, they don't even really want to talk to your attorney - that just sounds official and scary enough.  A real attorney would take the callers to task and write them off as two-bit con artists.  The callers need you, in writing, to authorize payment against the fictitious debt they claim you owe.  Go ahead, ask them for proof you owe the debt - more commonly known as verification of debt.  See what they say.  A phone authorization carries very little weight, so if they have something signed by you on file, you are done for - and the callers know that.  That authorization is the only thing these callers are doing by the book, and for good reason.  If they just went all willy nilly and made an ACH debit from your checking account, without your written approval, you could in turn report the transaction as fraudulent to your financial institution.  In about 7-10 business days, you would get the funds returned to your account.  Then the scammers would be up against a bank and their team of lawyers and investigators.  

Bottom line:

If you haven't paid the callers a dime, don't.  If you planned on paying them to shut them up, just don't.  Remember - you are not being contacted by a legally licensed, ethically owned and operated collector.  Read up on the FDCPA - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf - and know your rights.

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143/3

Received call from man with accent claiming to be John Garcia, police officer.  Claimed I owed debt.  Said to call back immediately to arrange to pay bills or I wold get a visit from him.  These people need to be stopped.  They've made several calls to my job.

These people call my girlfriends phone saying that she owes $188.00. He identifies himself as police officer mark nixson and he will come to my doorstep if i dont give him my credit card number and social security number. i told him that he shud stop by anytime. wud love to see him face to face. he has a strong accent probably from india... come on over....i wud love to flick the dot off your head.