got a call with no message left.

WALLINGFORD, CT, August 07, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about would-be debt collectors who call "payday" loan holders, threatening arrest if they don't pay immediately.

A payday loan, also known as a paycheck advance, is a short-term cash advance intended to cover expenses until the holder's next payday.

The callers claim they are lawyers with the "Financial Accountability Association" or the "Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans," and they are armed with stolen personal information from their victims, indicating a major security breach of unknown origin. The names used by the scammers may change with time.

According to Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, payday loan holders appear to be particularly at risk.

"Because the scammers have so much information about potential victims, BBB is concerned that this may be the result of a data breach. Thousands of people may have had their personal information compromised."

Reports received by Better Business Bureau and posted online explain the con artists threaten the loan holders of defaulting and claim they are being sued. The imposters threaten the loan holders with imminent arrest and extradition to California to stand trial, unless they immediately wire $1000 or provide bank account or credit card information.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau has advice for consumers who receive suspicious telephone calls about an outstanding debt:

-Don't be bullied into immediate action. Ask the debt collector to provide official documentation that substantiates the debt.
-Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the telephone until you confirm the legitimacy of the call.
-If you believe a debt collector is trying to scam you, file an abuse complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at www. ftc.gov, or by telephone at (202) 326-2222. Also file a complaint with your Better Business Bureau at http://www.bbb.org or by telephone at 203-269-2700, ext. 2.

About Better Business Bureau CT

Founded in 1912, BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB offers objective advice and a wide range of education on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than three million local and national businesses and charities. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at http://www.bbb.org

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i just recieved a call from this number.. came up unknown, so i didnt answer.. they left a message that was very hard to understand... called the number back and was told by someone from India that i had taken a payday loan out and didnt pay it back, and was being sued.. however they wanted additional information from me, which they said they had..when i asked the dates they said something that didnt make sense ... i questioned the validity of the company and they got defensive...i asked for a case number and they wouldnt provide it... called hung up on me...i called back and advised the person who i was speaking with that i needed  the case number to follow up... he cursed at me and hung up.....DO NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION TO THESE CROOKS.....

Received Several calls, also with Indian accents.

Wanted me to pay via credit card.  They new a lot of my information.

They had my name address, social security number and other info...

pretty scarry.  I told them my lawyer would contact them and that got them really nervous.  They started call 20-30 times and hanging up.

Got very angry when I said I wouldn't pay.  HUGE SCAM!!

I just received this same call, only they called my job.  He told me that I was being sued, and that I needed to have my lawyer contact him as soon as possible.  Now I'm not sure who he is, I know I don't have any lawsuits against me.  I am calling them when I get off of work to curse his a** out!

I also just recieved a call from these people.I will be reporting them to the FBI and BBB. Do not give them any information.....

I got a call, and decided to call it back after reading here. He said he needed my lawyer's information and my home address, banking information, and social security number. Way to be subtle eh? Just tell them your husband/wife works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and that they are being reported for scamming.

Worked for me.

Just got a call from the same number. A man with an accent (I'm not sure where) left me a message saying either my lawyer or myself need to call him back. He said his name was Jeff Garmin (I think). I haven't returned the call yet because I'm at work. He didn't say what company he was with or what it was regarding. Only that it was I time sensitive matter. I'll post again after I speak with him.

it's a man with an indian accent saying that I am being suite and that I need to pay he has no case number or nothing It shows private number when he calls and then give this number to be reached.  He calls himself Rigson
calls work and tells everyone I am being suited.  have no idea who he might be