313-436-6658
MI, US
 | Alfalfa 2013-12-14 11:09:28 Unknown |
This is a criminal extortion scam operating out of India. They are making the calls utilizing VOIP and the names of legitimate firms to make it appear the calls are originating from within the US. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting and/or buying consumers' personal identifying information and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.
Read this investigative report ABC News did on this scam:
Hundreds of thousands of cash-strapped Americans have been targeted by abusive debt collectors operating out of overseas call centers suspected of links to organized crime in India, law enforcement officials told ABC News.
The calls are part of a massive scam, one that appears to target struggling Americans -- especially those who have gone online to apply for payday loans. Armed with personal information from those pilfered applications, the threatening callers, who claim to be debt collectors poised to initiate legal action, have managed to pry loose millions of dollars from their victims -- even when the victims never owed money in the first place.
"This is what we call a phantom debt collection scam," said Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. "It's a very pernicious and innovative new fraud."
Working through call centers in India, the commission estimates that the criminals have dialed at least 2.5 million calls, persuading already cash-strapped victims to send them more than $5 million. Some have reported receiving dozens of calls per hour. They are victims like Cindy Gervais, of New Orleans, who went online for a quick loan when her husband's car was hit by a driver who didn't have insurance.
Even though she paid the loan off, the so-called "phantom" debt collectors with Indian accents began calling to say she still owed money.
"He more or less told me that if I didn't pay, they were going to have someone on my doorstep to arrest me," she told ABC News. "And that they were going to contact my place of business, and tell them what kind of person I am."
At first, she said she resisted. Then the calls became more frequent, and started to ring on her cell phone, and at the grocery distribution company where she had worked for 27 years.
"I was more or less in panic mode because he told me there would be someone before noon at my place of business to arrest me and take me to jail," she said tearfully. "So I agreed to pay him."
After receiving scores of complaints, investigators with the FTC said they began tracking the calls, and following the payments. They alleged the payments led them to a California company run by an Indian-American named Kirit Patel, and that such scams would not be possible without American front men.
"I would say that all roads of this scam, or many of the roads of this scam, lead back to Mr. Patel," said the FTC's Leibowitz.
ABC News tracked Patel for weeks, from the suburbs of San Francisco to Austin, Texas.
Patel refused to talk. But his lawyer, Mark Ellis, said he believes it is far too early to pass judgment on his client. Ellis, a Sacramento-based attorney, told ABC News that Patel was hired for a nominal fee to set up an American shell company, and had no idea what the call centers in India were doing.
"I can tell you, he was as snookered by the people in India as anybody," Ellis said. "He's a 69-year-old man who is nearing his retirement who thought all he had to do was set up some corporations and everything was on the up and up. He's completely dismayed that he has become the lightning rod of this entire problem."
A close friend of Patel's also defended him in a brief interview at his home, saying Patel was not trying to defraud anyone -- he was just an unwitting, bit player in a larger scheme.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... ory?id=16512428
Read this investigative report ABC News did on this scam:
Hundreds of thousands of cash-strapped Americans have been targeted by abusive debt collectors operating out of overseas call centers suspected of links to organized crime in India, law enforcement officials told ABC News.
The calls are part of a massive scam, one that appears to target struggling Americans -- especially those who have gone online to apply for payday loans. Armed with personal information from those pilfered applications, the threatening callers, who claim to be debt collectors poised to initiate legal action, have managed to pry loose millions of dollars from their victims -- even when the victims never owed money in the first place.
"This is what we call a phantom debt collection scam," said Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. "It's a very pernicious and innovative new fraud."
Working through call centers in India, the commission estimates that the criminals have dialed at least 2.5 million calls, persuading already cash-strapped victims to send them more than $5 million. Some have reported receiving dozens of calls per hour. They are victims like Cindy Gervais, of New Orleans, who went online for a quick loan when her husband's car was hit by a driver who didn't have insurance.
Even though she paid the loan off, the so-called "phantom" debt collectors with Indian accents began calling to say she still owed money.
"He more or less told me that if I didn't pay, they were going to have someone on my doorstep to arrest me," she told ABC News. "And that they were going to contact my place of business, and tell them what kind of person I am."
At first, she said she resisted. Then the calls became more frequent, and started to ring on her cell phone, and at the grocery distribution company where she had worked for 27 years.
"I was more or less in panic mode because he told me there would be someone before noon at my place of business to arrest me and take me to jail," she said tearfully. "So I agreed to pay him."
After receiving scores of complaints, investigators with the FTC said they began tracking the calls, and following the payments. They alleged the payments led them to a California company run by an Indian-American named Kirit Patel, and that such scams would not be possible without American front men.
"I would say that all roads of this scam, or many of the roads of this scam, lead back to Mr. Patel," said the FTC's Leibowitz.
ABC News tracked Patel for weeks, from the suburbs of San Francisco to Austin, Texas.
Patel refused to talk. But his lawyer, Mark Ellis, said he believes it is far too early to pass judgment on his client. Ellis, a Sacramento-based attorney, told ABC News that Patel was hired for a nominal fee to set up an American shell company, and had no idea what the call centers in India were doing.
"I can tell you, he was as snookered by the people in India as anybody," Ellis said. "He's a 69-year-old man who is nearing his retirement who thought all he had to do was set up some corporations and everything was on the up and up. He's completely dismayed that he has become the lightning rod of this entire problem."
A close friend of Patel's also defended him in a brief interview at his home, saying Patel was not trying to defraud anyone -- he was just an unwitting, bit player in a larger scheme.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... ory?id=16512428
| lorie 2013-12-14 08:10:15 Unknown |
i keep getting threating phone calls from this number . this guy is from india and he is very rude telling me if i dont return his call within 2hrs i will be arrested. these phone calls need to stop. this guy says i will be arrested either at my home or at my place of work. he says his name is edwin jones sanders
| Tamianth 2013-12-14 07:36:02 Unknown |
From everything I'm reading, this is pretty much looking like a scam. Bottom line, everything he said is breaking FDCPA laws. The scammers in foreign country's have not got a clue how our laws work really. Debt is a civil matter and you can not be arrested for owing a debt. Below are the laws, and other info in regards.Know your rights! Demand a legal address, demand a debt validation. With extortion scams, file reports with all agency's. You may want to consider a call blocking device or phone also. The T-lock Incoming PRO Call Blocker sells for under 60 bucks on Amazon and can block up to 1500 numbers.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=call+blockers
Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Also read up on the laws and your rights:
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
And see:
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
************
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
************
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
*********************
A Collection Agent May Not?
Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:
Misrepresent Him or Herself
A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.
Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass
A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.
Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit
A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.
Use Abusive or Threatening Language
A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.
Publish a Bad Debt List
Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.
Contact By Embarrassing Media
A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.
Contact a Consumer at Work
A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.
Seek Unjustifiable Amounts
A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.
Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney
A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.
Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request
If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.
Communicate With Third Parties
A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.
Bills.com FDCPA FAQ
Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:
Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?
Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.
I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?
No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.
A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay
This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=call+blockers
Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Also read up on the laws and your rights:
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
And see:
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
************
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
************
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
*********************
A Collection Agent May Not?
Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:
Misrepresent Him or Herself
A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.
Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass
A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.
Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit
A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.
Use Abusive or Threatening Language
A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.
Publish a Bad Debt List
Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.
Contact By Embarrassing Media
A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.
Contact a Consumer at Work
A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.
Seek Unjustifiable Amounts
A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.
Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney
A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.
Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request
If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.
Communicate With Third Parties
A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.
Bills.com FDCPA FAQ
Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:
Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?
Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.
I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?
No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.
A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay
This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.
| lorie 2013-12-14 06:46:09 Unknown |
i have been receving messages from this Indian guy claiming to be edwin jones sanders he was very rude threating me if i did not return his call within 2 hours that in would be arrested either at my residence or at my place of work. i want these calls to stop he wouldnt even say what company he was with. this has me very upset
| Lolo2013 2013-12-06 21:44:13 Debt Collector |
Get several messages from this Indian guy who states he's from freedmen law offices nd he called my husband at work just now stating he was gonna have someone come nd arrest him within an hour or so...so I just called the guy back nd told him I already know this is a scam nd that we were reporting this number..he hung up on me so hopefully he'll stop calling!
| unknown 2013-11-23 21:49:34 Unknown |
I recieve the same call at work twice this week so i finally called them back and they only said hello when he answer the phone and I asked what company this is and he said freedam law firm and I said if that true they would answer the phone freedam law firm and he proceed telling me that I have 1 hour to pay them $4500 or other wise the police will come to my work on saturday to arrest me and I told him I look forward seeing them because you are a scam and im filing a police report out on you for harrasment and thats when he hung up on me
| ann colburn 2013-11-20 00:14:50 Unknown |
I need 2 no how 2 get the # 2 bbb cause I'm tired of them harassing me
| Theresa C 2013-11-15 18:33:44 Debt Collector |
I called the FBI, then was switched to the Federal Trade Commission and then switched over to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855)411.2372. They took my complaint down, I'm waiting on the form their sending. Once they receive it, they will begin investigating the scam related to number (313)436.6658. They guy goes by the name "Jack Harper" and claims to be the attorney for a firm called "Freedman", but their isn't any firm by that name or spelled the way he said its spelled in the area he is calling from. The number he "keeps" calling from is located out of Dearborn Detroit, MI, he has an Indian accent, and when I called him he answered with a hello, not a "Good morning, Freedman Law Firm, how may I help you." Then put me on hold to get this supposed attorney who sounded just like the original guy that answered. Seriously?! These people are hilarious! You can NOT arrest on account of a civil matter. By law you must notify someone via mail, not through emails or phone calls. People do not give into this, and do NOT send money. Good thing I'm a paralegal and know the law and personal rights, or else I wouldn't have been able to notify my husband sitting next to me on the phone with these a***oles wanting 780/790 something dollars, that this is a scam. They actually had the nerve to illegally threaten my husband by saying they'll be at our house to arrest him....LMAO!
| k2 2013-11-14 23:57:46 Unknown |
Now he's talking porn. Very, very vulgar. Wonder how the police feel about stalking calls??
| Annoyed 2013-10-09 16:59:41 Unknown |
These people Austin Black and his companions have my social and job number. The call constantly. I am sick and tired of it and the Police wont do anything unless I have sent them money. They call talking bout I won car, I was approved for a 5000 loan but first I must send them 375 dollars, then there is a law suit against me. Its just horrendous.
| Soannoying 2013-09-30 19:07:01 Unknown |
"Austin" calling to say a lawsuit was filled against me and I needed to send money. Do these people really think this will work? I told them to stop scamming people.
| ihatescams 2013-09-30 16:55:46 Unknown |
I received several calls from this number, and when I asked what the call was about, I was told they were a law company that is sueing me. When I asked for what, the person on the line stated that he would give me a rundown on the situation, and to not interrupt him. I said I could not make any guarantees that I wouldn't interrupt if I had questions. He then told me he would send officers to my job in the morning to have me arrested, then hung up on me.
| Latia 2013-09-23 18:53:20 Unknown |
I got a call from this number stating that I owe money to a unknown company. If I don't pay them a affidavit will be field against me. Later he said I will have to pay a bail and get legal representation if they not payed. I'm not a stranger to calls like this so I instantly put the number in google and look what I found people like myself being harassed by a guy with a heavy accent.
| Alfalfa 2013-09-20 20:28:27 Unknown |
This is a criminal extortion scam operating out of India. They are making the calls utilizing VOIP and the names of legitimate firms to make it appear the calls are originating from within the US. There is NO "company" or "debt" and you will NOT be arrested. They are harvesting and/or buying consumers' personal identifying information from unscrupulous websites like the one you may have filled out an application with, and you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself. This includes: Notifying the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/, placing fraud alerts with all three credit bureaus, notifying your bank and employer and letting these criminals know you are aware they are attempting to extort money for a non-existent debt and have alerted the authorities.
ABC News released an investigative report on this scam a year ago:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... ory?id=16512428
ABC News released an investigative report on this scam a year ago:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... ory?id=16512428
| Priscilla 2013-09-20 20:23:16 Unknown |
Constantly calling my cell and work numbers. They are rude, and make lewd comments. call from quite a few different numbers. i quit answering so now theyre calling my work number. how is this legal for them to call and harass as much as they do? unable to getany information to report them. I dont owe anyone money and even if I did, after all this theyd HAVE to throw me in jail to get a penny from me
| Cori 2013-09-06 20:25:33 Unknown |
I keep getting calls from this people different numbers all the time. I just want them to stop
| Cori 2013-09-03 15:37:26 Debt Collector |
Said I needed to call with my lawyer and that I owe money
| birdie 2013-08-28 17:09:35 Debt Collector |
This company, or guy named Austin Black called me several times
when I finally called him back he said, that I was committing
fraud. that I received cash advances from Us Cash Advance
Plain Green, etc. I told him they are not on my bank statement.
they are going to download something Monday at 1130am. I an explain
to my Lawyer. also something bout me loosing mu job. there is
another number as well 845-345-5125 and 985-718-5565.
when I finally called him back he said, that I was committing
fraud. that I received cash advances from Us Cash Advance
Plain Green, etc. I told him they are not on my bank statement.
they are going to download something Monday at 1130am. I an explain
to my Lawyer. also something bout me loosing mu job. there is
another number as well 845-345-5125 and 985-718-5565.
| mitch 2013-08-20 05:24:34 Debt Collector |
They called me yesterday and said i have a hour to send 300 dollars
Or they will send a warrant out for my arrest and i will have to do
Three years in jail over a loan are the serious and it was a rude Indian
Man
Or they will send a warrant out for my arrest and i will have to do
Three years in jail over a loan are the serious and it was a rude Indian
Man
| Anonymous 2013-08-14 01:13:25 Debt Collector |
I have been receiving several calls in the last week after applying for a loan online. These folks are quite comical as they have threatened to have me arrested at my work (only at work not at home or walking down the street???), told me I have several CRIMINAL CHARGES against me, if I didn't give them 700 dollars within the hour it would balloon to 3000, and called my job several times. Today, I got a call from my HR dept saying that John Anderson, a former patient of mine, wanted to speak with me!!!! I work in a hospital and have never met an individual named such. I wonder, do they actually get ppl with this stuff??? #cmonman
| anonymous 2013-08-13 16:19:56 Unknown |
received calls from this number, advised them multiple times to stop calling. After repeated calls, I stated over and over "I have a cat" since being polite didn't help. He told me to "shove the cat up" my "a**" When I called this number back to ask them to stop calling, they told me to "shut up" and hung up on me.
| Aononymos 2013-07-11 16:23:02 Debt Collector |
Okay I wrote earlier today about 30 calls in one day. Okay yes as always Mr. Morgan call again and when I told him I was recording this call he got real unprofessional, all I wanted to know was the DOS, and the amount of this loan, oh no they don't have that information, WHAT and yes I call Usa Cash Connection, Usa Cash and any cash loan and no I'm not in their database, I also did a complaint with the BBB and on the FBI I'm tired of this a***ole if your going to do business with a payday loan company online this is what you will have to go through. And now I keep getting phone call that I have being pre approved of a online loan and no I have not and will never never do and online again. Austin Morgan is the last name I got
| Anonymos 2013-07-11 15:24:24 Debt Collector |
This Indiana men called me yesterday over 30 time on my cell and work phone when I ask them to email any information about this company the call stop but month later they start back John Smith, John Black, and John Morgan, and just now Austin Black, but the one thing I have find they tell you or your legal representations to call but if you get your legal to call they have not thing to say this is wrong if you own a bill pay the bill but No one should have to go through this
| Anonymous 2013-04-27 03:30:45 Debt Collector |
This call is a scam
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