This is part of a ring of scams artists. We had one person call with a different number. Once we informed them that we were not able to help them as they are asking and that we will need to contact the police regarding their request, the lady stopped calling from the number she had left and then a man started calling from this number. This leads me to believe that the circle of people involved in this scam is much bigger than what it may seem to the harassed. It amazes me how many people are out there in the world trying to steal money from those who work hard, proving how corrupt this world is. So many of us are trying to make things a little better in our efforts and then you have those who are so selfish and greedy. Tell these people you need their contact information and you will put them in touch with the police. They will probably leave you a lone for awhile.

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 in June. The FTC has indicted one of its ringleaders for criminal fraud:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... 16512428&page=1

Today i got a call from this number.  I got so angry i too have gotten many of these calls heavy accent american names.  I called and told them off.  I hung up and 2 min later get a call from 818 230 1395.  3 said hello he said my name and was breathing heavy, i asked him whoe he was he said gary i asked how he knew my name and number he said I told you im from XXXX recovery and i know everything i have all your information and i want to be your friend he said  it in this sick tone then kept breathing heavy  conversation lasted couple more min i told him off and that i would block his number he said ill just call you from another number.  i hung up on him.  He really creept me out and im not sure what to do he scared me the way he said he knows all my info.  i want to call my police department but they probably cant do anything.  any suggestions id appreciate any help please.  thanks

So the guy on the other end told me I was being sued. This isn't the first time, it happened a few years back as well. When I went to the cops they informed me it was a scam and launched an investigation. Do people really think I'm that stupid if I didn't believe u once why would I now. Anyway, these people are pathetic and unfortunately, some do fall for it. In the end, no need to worry. U don't owe money and ur not being sued. Have a great day : )

thank you very much your information is exceptionally helpful. I appreciate any help that I get.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if he:

?is seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
?refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
?asks you for personal financial or sensitive information; or
?exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.

If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

?Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.?Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
?Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft ? charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
?Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate ? but you think the collector may not be ? contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
?Report the call. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

I keep getting threatening phone calls from this number saying that I need my attorney to call them. They also say that if I do not call back then I am commiting a felony and that it is time sensative that I call. It is a foriegn
number and they give me a Anglo name. I do not know weather to beleive it or not. I am so scared I do not know what to do. They call me on my cell I changed it and they found the number again.They do not say what company they just say that it is time sensative and give me a name.

These people say they are calling from a law firm.  Guess what that is a lie.  I back checked this phone number and they are a fraud and they are liars.  Do not accept these phone calls ever because these callers are con artists, scammers, idiots, morons and they are completely out of control with what they say over the phone.  They are committing a felony in California by using inappropriate language over the phone.

And one more thing that they might not be aware of...yes they can be evicted from the building that they are in because they are committing a felony.  And yes authority resides contact the local police and have them removed from the building because guess what...they are committing a felony by using bad language over the phone.  Good bye......