Called threatening to sue me for an unpaid loan where my name was used as a reference only. My name was not on any loan. Or, I could just give him my credit card now to pay it off. Unfortunately for them, I actually help other people who are victims of this type of harassament. He hung up on me after I "bloodied" him.

Called my daughter in college telling her she owed them money and was going to sue if she didn't pay up.  When I called their number they wouldn't identify themselves or tell me the company they worked for.  When I pressed the caller he said he worked for the federal government but would not identify which agency or who his superior was.  I threatened to turn him into the Iowa State Attorney General and he hung up on me when I started trash talking him and laughing at him...........

I just got off the phone with these guys and I can tell it was a fishing expedition.  I know that I've paid off any loans like this one, but he had so much information of mine that if I wasn't so confident about my status with those loans, I probably would have paid them.  I hung up on the guy 3 times -- he kept calling back!!!!  The amount he stated wasn't one that I would have taken out and the name of the company he mentioned isn't one that I've done business with.  Since I know there's someone out there who has used my information in the past for their personal gain, I am marginally concerned about this.  But not concerned enough to give him $420 over the phone ($320 for the alleged loan and $100 for interest).  These guys need to stop the crap.

First, one guy gets on the phone to make sure I am who I say I am, then he puts on his "supervisor".  Neither of these guys speaks English well, so I'm already wary.  Then the "supervisor", Michael Benson, starts telling me that I owe money on a loan and this is being turned over as a legal matter.  It takes 3 to 4 attempts on my part just to find out the name of the company that he's calling for, and it's one that I haven't done business with.  He continues to try to tell me what I need to do, which doesn't go over well with me.  I told him I'd paid off all my loans, to which he says "well, if you've paid it then you can send me a receipt and I'll stop calling".  It seems like a reasonable request, until you realize that if the company that he's calling for isn't real, then there's no way to produce a receipt which puts you back in the cycle of "I don't owe you anything"-"but you must pay it or have legal action".  He interrupted me continuously while I talked, as though that would endear him to me any more.  After a few minutes of this, I hung up on him, and he kept calling back, until I told him to do what he had to do legally.  Haven't heard back from him since.

These people have called me before along with another number (which I can't remember) but I have changed my cell phone number now they are calling me at work.  This people said his name was Sam Holter. Whatever you did to help others please tell me or advise on this matter. I had this happened another time a Jeffery Stephens called, if you make payment arrangement and had to submit an apology letter stating that I never meant to scam or run off with the money.  Then 2 weeks later I had a same call this was from Los Angeles CA telling me the same thing. Suposedly from some law firm. The number that was given to me when looked up said a land line and the number was unpublished if this is a law firm then it should have been made public. On the second time I did figure this was a scam.  After realizing that the person or company never submitted a wage garnishment to my company or even having the sheriff serve me papers and take me to court in the state that I live in. Then that I knew had to be a scam.  Please help me to make them stop!.

I recieved a phone call from this number, but the number they called from was 5153695805, he left me a message saying I need to return his call as soon as possible, or legal matters will be issure.  But left me this 760 number to call.  I called it back it was a Jim Hardy he stated that he worked for a federal government agency, said that there was 7 judgements against me on a loan that was taking out in 2006.  He gave me a case number, He had my SS my BD and my Bank acct.  I try to tell him I didn't have a loan in 2006 continue saying do you want to pay or take it to court.  I ask several times the name of the company, he finaly gave me a name.  I called this company and there was no loan.  I ask Mr. Hardy to send me the doc. through the email he had, he said he would when he recieved the payment.  I knew then it was a scam.  I hung up on him he called back left a message asking me to return his call we got discounted. Please help me if you know any information on this.  I have contact my state geneal attorney

These people called me and said that they were calling regarding a law suit.

I received only one phone call from a number listed as 202-540-5120. They left a voice mail stating that it was regarding a law suit against my social security number and stated the last four digits and lift this phone number for me to call back. I tried calling back to day and the phone number isn't even working any longer.

Alex called from 760-514-0118 and left a message for me to call him back. Tried calling but the number is blocked for incoming calls.  I Googled the phone number and this site came up. Glad to see such a site where the public can be warned.  Don't you just long for the day when we can exercise a little vigilante justice?

You are right, this is another collection scam.  The BBB and the authorities have just recently become aware of it since it is fairly new. If you have ever taken out a payday loan, even if you paid it back in full and on time or have done any business more complex than just buying a money order from a payday loan company, you could find yourself on the receiving end of this con game:  Scammers posing as agents and/or attorneys of a fictitious state or federal agency call the former customers of these lenders claiming they owe for delinquent loans and will be arrested and sent to prison unless they pay up at once.  The sheer nastiness and aggressive tactics of the callers as well as other factors have lead authorities to suspect that many if not all of the perpetrators are regular nine-to-five debt collectors who are running this scam in their spare time.  This would also explain how they obtained access to the needed information. Although state and federal agencies regulate and when necessary discipline errant payday lenders, NONE have any interest in or jurisdiction over any customer accounts, delinquent or otherwise.  Unless a borrower obtains a loan through identity theft or other outright fraud there is no way he or she can be sent to jail for nonpayment- period! Don?t be taken in by these crooks, if you get a call from them get as much information as possible, then report them to the FTC.  DO NOT give them ANY personal information, and don?t send them a dime.  By the way, Western Union is the preferred payment method of con-artists since once sent, they are nearly impossible to trace.

Fake Debt Collectors and Collection Tactics

If consumers did not have enough to worry about having to deal with rising credit card interest rates, late fees and over-limit fees, zombie debt, and fervent bill collectors, now we have to worry about collectors calling about fake debt.

While many legitimate collection agencies follow the FDCPA, there are some collectors out there that are only running a scam operation and will be quick to use threats and scare tactics to get you to pay up quick. Their scams turn up in mailboxes, on the internet and through the telephone every day. Some collectors pose as national banks, government agencies (FBI, CIA), or even popular celebrity stars to gain personal information. These phony collectors may threaten to repossess your house, issue a warrant for your arrest, or even garnish your pay check, all of which are against the FDCPA rules. Some of which are even laughable (for example, there is no debtor?s prison in the United States).

Fake debt scammers rely on the fear and lack of knowledge about debt collection laws within the population. They also figure that a certain percentage of their calls will be received by individuals who may be carrying debt on credit cards anyway and may be susceptible to intimidation. When collectors use misleading statements and fail to provide identification, they are breaking the law. Never pay money to a possible thief. Keep cool when you hear from collectors to avoid this collection abuse.

Many times, people who took out payday loans online in the past are most susceptible. If you took a payday loan, be aware scammers may have access to your Social Security number and other personal information, and keep your guard up against such tactics.

Ironically, real "deadbeats" probably wouldn't fall for these scammers, since they have no intention of repaying their creditors anyway. But upright citizens may doubt themselves, thinking they've forgotten to pay a bill. Many times, the sums involved tend to be fairly small, so some people may be tempted to just pay the "bill" and "get it over with."

Ways to Protect Yourself Against Debt Collection Scams

Review your credit report frequently to find inaccuracies.
Be aware of your current creditors and how much you owe.
Ask creditors for identification before you provide any information over the telephone.
Reporting Fake Debt Collectors

If you ever receive a call from anyone identifying himself as a debt collector, the law requires that the debt collector provide you with identification, and that the debt collector refrain from making misleading and threatening statements.

You can report any problems you have to your state Attorney General?s office www.naag.org and the Federal Trade Commission www.ftc.gov. Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General?s office can help you determine your rights under your state?s law.

http://www.internetautoguide.com/credit-cente ... on-tactics.html

Payday collection phone call, I believe it is a scam.  They ask that you go to Wal-Mart and call them so the can give the name of the person to send the MoneyGram or Western Union to.  I am reporting this to my local FBI office.