this is a collection agency for a check cashing firm they called me to find my previous roomate.  my number had been listed on her application for cash advances, and she left owing several thousand dollars. They claim they are getting ready to file legal for the collection of the debt.

Received a call at my job taken by my assistant from Gateway; in which it was relayed to my superior that if I did not contact them regarding a debt in reference to fraudulent checks they would put a warrant out for my arrest.  These people are ridiculous and something needs to be done about their unlawful practices!

I got a call from this company just a few minutes ago claiming legal action was going to be taken against me due to some fraud credit stuff?  They even called two of my friends looking for me and how they got their information is beyond me.  I plan on ignoring the call by one friend of mine who they contacted called back and told him not to call her or my other friend again bc she doesnt speak to me or know where I am and he told her that its for my own benefit I respond to his phone call. He told her that I used her and my friend as two credit references for something over a year ago and I dont even know what the hell he is talking about.  The county he claims will be taking legal action is a county I dont even live in.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I should do?  Should I just ignore this for now?

I know these collection agencies try to scare you with threats of legal action but what upsets me is that they have contacted two of my close friends.  I dont want some scammers bringing other people in on my business or problems.  Is that even legal?  Help!

they have been calling for over a month a guy named adam claims bad check charges and a civil suit has already been filed. Funny I checked and nothing in the courts ! They like to try and intimidate you to pay something that legally they are not allowed to do. Dont fall for their games !

And btw... U pay there legal fees my 200 payday loan cost me 1345.96 good luck!

When NCA ( national credit adjusters) who owned all there accounts actually sues you... You all het what u deserve. You should have fully read the contract before accepting loans not only is it a civil claim that can be filed did u ever wonder why they want ur driver license number??? The same reason a store does if u write them a check google it any payday loan lender has the right to sue u for the loan amount and returned payments! Good luck to all of u who think its a scam check ur credit reports ur all foolish

Just got the same phone call from Gateway Co. the guy stated the police will be on my trail about a civil matter and gives me this docket number. I do owe money, but I lost my job the economy is s***, and I owe $300......If it was a legit company trying to collect a debt they wouldn't use a different number to call you and ask you to call back another number. Plus it would cost them much more money than $300 to take me to court, plus I can prove to the judge I have nothing if it ever came to that......I'm glad this site is out there so people can learn about the scams these creditors do and I'M GLAD I DID NOT CALL BACK although I'll admit at first I was scared, but after seeing how many people got the call from 716-550-8150 I feel much better now.....All the banks got a bailout how about the average person like us? Where's our bailout......The economy is f****d and there are so many people out there who owe money so I'm not worried about it all......And after receiving these threatening calls I wouldn't give them the sweat off my balls.............

I get these calls as well this is obviously a fraudulent attempt to get your personal information. Just be aggressive with them and don't give them ANY INFORMATION about yourself. Ask them for the address this payday advance office is from or any other pertinent info regarding the actual bill. You will eventually trip them up and thy will hang up and stop calling. It's a type of phishing technique scanners use to access your actual bank account.

This is the same thing that just happened to me, they called me at work as well. Stating that I wrote a bad check. Never wrote a bad check I think this is a scam to make you panic and give them money.

Don't fall for this type of phishing scam...they are scaring you so that you might give up sensitive information.  If there is any doubt, have them mail you any debt collection information to your home address.  Never give up your personal information.  Remember if they extended you credit already, they needed your SSN in the first place.  

Legit companies may call but they already have all the information they need.  These guys are scammers.

Keep receiving calls from this number  716-550-8150 ext 114 on my cell and work number, gentleman telling me that I owe cmg group  & westgate group. I Have never heard of these companies and he said I wrote them a bad check. DO NOT have a checking account and have not written any check much less a hot check. He said I would be served and prosecuted. How can I make them stop contacting me? It IS NOT ME they have been misinformed and will not listen when i tell them they just keep calling. Please help!!

Thanks "NoBigDeal", these phone calls are starting to really get on my last one!!!

They called my parents' number leaving message leaving this number 1-877-716-2505 ext 112 ask for Mr Webser... When I called that number it doesn't exist.  on the Caller ID these numbers shows up when they called.503-433-1386, 716-418-7183, 716-492-8100, 716-550-8150, & 866-876-0224.

These guys are a scam. They couldnt even pay for their website!

http://gatewayrecoveryassociates.com

Gateway Recovery Associates
3411 Delaware
Kenmore, NY 14217

BBB Warns About Collection Company With F Rating Targeting Local Residents

DAYTON, OH ? June 4, 2010 - Recently, your Better Business Bureau received a call from a Dayton woman about a collection company that has been contacting her. A representative from Gateway Recovery Associates suddenly began calling her to make payments on a debt she was unaware of. The gentleman said he was with the company?s check fraud division and needed her to make a payment of $400. He threatened there was a warrant out for her arrest and asked her for banking information to set up a payment plan. Initially, the woman gave her checking account information to the caller. But, realizing it may not have been the wisest action, she closed the account.

Gateway Recovery Associates, located in Kenmore, New York, has an F rating with your BBB, its lowest rating. Reasons for this F rating include:

· Your BBB doesn?t have sufficient information to determine how long this business has been operating

· The company?s failure to respond to four complaints filed against it

· Your BBB doesn?t have sufficient background information on this business

The complaints against the company concern a contract dispute, customer service issue, product issue and refund or exchange issue.

John North says, ?Scammers and shady businesses often use scare tactics - like threats of police action - to make you fall for their schemes. Don?t fall for it. Take time to check companies out with your BBB. It could save you time, money and headaches. It?s easy to do. Simply, visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.?

If you?re contacted by a debt collector, your BBB and the Federal Trade Commission offer some advice. Remember, debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices while attempting to collect a debt. For example, they may not:

· use threats of violence or harm against the person, property or reputation;

· publish a list of consumers who refuse to pay their debts (except to a credit bureau);

· use obscene or profane language;

· use phone calls to repeatedly harass you;

· fail to identify themselves on the telephone;

· advertise your debt;

· threaten arrest if you don?t pay your debt;

· say they will seize, garnish, attach or sell your property or wages, unless the collection agency or creditor intends to do so, and it?s legal to do so;

· indicate actions, such as a lawsuit, will be taken against you, which legally may not be taken, or which they don?t intend to take;

· collect any amount greater than your debt, unless allowed by law;

· deposit a post-dated check prematurely.

· falsely imply they?re attorneys or government representatives;

· falsely imply you have committed a crime;

· falsely represent they operate or work for a credit bureau;

· misrepresent the amount of your debt;

· misrepresent the involvement of an attorney in collecting a debt;

· indicate papers being sent to you aren?t legal forms when they are;

· give false credit information about you to anyone;

· send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency when it isn?t;

· use a false name.

Your Better Business Bureau and the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys (NARCA) offer the following tips when working with debt collection agencies:

1. Respond when you receive a letter or phone call. Keep an open dialogue. This is your opportunity to present your viewpoint.

2. Keep good records. Keep files of your bank records, history of places lived and worked, and copies of correspondence concerning your debts. If the debt amount is incorrect, you?ll need to be able to show you have made payments.

3. Be honest about what you can afford. Collection agencies will work with you to come up with an achievable payment plan. Only agree to a plan you can stick with to avoid further collection efforts.

4. Speak up if the debt isn?t yours. You have the right to request further information if you?re contacted about a debt you don?t recognize. If the debt truly isn?t yours, be prepared to explain. If you have information as to whose debt it is, share it.

5. Have a lawyer contact the collection agency if possible. Once this step is taken, the collection agency cannot communicate directly with you. Be sure to give the collection agency the name, address and phone number of your attorney so he or she can be in contact.

6. Don?t ignore a court summons, which means you only have a certain time to respond. The paperwork with the summons may contain a court date or instructions on what to do if you dispute the claim. If you think you don?t owe the debt, pay close attention to these papers. If you do owe the debt, contact the law firm that filed the case right away ? they want to work with you on a payment plan.

7. Be involved ? the outcome is in your hands. If you don?t appear in court or contact the collection agency about repayment, a judgment may be entered against you. Efforts will be made to collect the judgment amount from you, which, depending on your circumstances and what state you live in, can lead to severe consequences, including wage garnishment, bank account attachment and liens on your property.

If you believe a debt collector has violated the law, you may sue in state or federal court within one year from the date of the possible violation. You should also report problems with debt collectors to the Attorney General?s office and the Federal Trade Commission. You may also file a complaint with your Better Business Bureau. Visit www.bbb.org or call (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301.

http://dayton.bbb.org/article/bbb-warns-about ... residents-19956

I got a call from a Guy he said he was from gateway and that I needed to call him back asap. I don't know what he is talking about and who he is. What do I do?

I RECEIVED A CALL FROM A NEAL RICHARDS FROM GATEWAY ASSOCIATES. HE STATED THAT I HAD A PAST DUE DEBT WITH A CASH ADVANCE COMPANY. I TOLD HIM I INCLUDED ALL OF MY PAST DUE LOANS IN MY BANKRUPTCY. I TRIED TO PROVIDED THEM WITH MY ATTY INFO AND HE STARTED THREATNENING CRIMNAL CHARGES. HE TOLD ME I WOULD BE ARRESTED AT 11 A.M THE FOLLOWING DAY AND HUNG UP

A got a call from this number. A man left a message for, someone other than myself. He said he was Steven Kaiser with Gateway and he was calling regarding check fraud. I keep getting this other persons phone calls.

I know that by law they cannot call your coworkers or supervisors..... sue them

Said there was pending check fraud charges against me in my county and I had better call back ASAP to stop the proceedings.  Well....since I didnt write a check to them, there isnt any fraud, and since it was a payday loan and I dont have a bank account anymore for them to zap they are resorting to lies to get me to call.  Not doing it.  My BK lawyer says not to call and they can pound sand and get in line.

Known ACI phone numbers to block/ignore.

503-433-1386
716-418-7183
716-492-8100
716-550-8150
716-580-6102
716-580-6103
716-580-6105
716-580-6106
716-580-6110
716-634-7955
716-995-7300
800-213-7163
800-753-0628
866-876-0224
888-400-7804
888-716-2505

I am getting harrasing phone calls from this number. I dont think it's legal, and they are totally out of their mind, saying thre is some internet security breach going on etc...

TOtal crap

This person continues to call, but am not able to get through to get any information. I have reported them to the authorities.

This person has left me messages as well as my supervisor... It is crap already

Got a call from John, with a file number and stated I should call 888.716.2505 x 111, however the call came in from 716.550.8150 (per caller ID)

Received call from someone named Alan claiming to be from Gateway Associates. They said that there was a "situation" involving my SSN and if I didn't call back by 7 pm, a "decision would be made on my behalf". I tried to call the number back, but it just beeps really loudly and hangs up.

You this Mr. Kizer calls asking for a guy that lives in my town with a ssn close to mine. I call him back and I have tracked this guy he is looking for down. They guy he is looking for said he is looking for me when he calls him. I think he is fishing for people that have something in common. I would like to find him and put a stop to this.

Hi.  I received a call today from Gateway Associates in New York.  The woman who called said that there are pending charges against me for criminal action, etc. etc. and that if I didnt return the call I will be sued or go to jail.  The number was: 716.55.08150.  Is this legal.  I have no idea what she is talking about.

THE CALLER ID WAS # 716-550-8150 THE REP ID'D HIMSELF AS STEVEN KAISER AT EXT 114 FROM THE CHECK DEPT, I DIDNT KNOW WHO IT WAS THIS WEB SITE WAS REALLY HELPFUL. THANKS

So what if I do owe money to a check advance co. I am currently strapped due to paying back other debt. Can they prosecute from there as they claim?