THESE PEOPLE TRY TO SCARE THE CONSUMERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USUALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE COLLECTION LAWS. THEY COME UP AGAINST ME AND THEY HANG UP BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. TELL THEM THEY ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE FDCPA, YOU ARE GOING TO REPORT THEM TO THE FTC AND FILE SUIT AGAINST "THEM"!!! THIS IS HOW THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY IS BY FRIGHTENING PEOPLE INTO THINKING THEY ARE GOING TO GO TO JAIL. WE DON'T HAVE DEBTORS PRISON ANYMORE. ALSO, DO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FTC. THE MORE THE BETTER.

I HAVE REPORTED THEM TO THE FTC. THEY ARE STILL CALLING MY MOTHER IN LAW MAKING HER A FRANTIC MESS. I TOLD HER NEXT TIME THEY CALL, TELL THEM THEY ARE BEING RECORDED, THAT SHE WANTS A COPY OF THEIR RECORDING SENT TO HER WITHIN 72 HOURS, SHE WANTS THE CALLS TO STOP, SHE IS REPORTING THEM TO THE FTC AND FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM. I AM A DEBT COLLECTOR. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO FOLLOW THE FDCPA TO THE LETTER. THE COMPANIES I WORKED FOR AVOIDED LAWSUITS LIKE THE PLAGUE. THESE PEOPLE WENT SO FAR AS TO TELL MY MOTHER IN LAW THEY WERE CALLING FROM MY COUNTIES SHERIFF'S F DEPT. GAVE A FAKE CASE # AND THEIR 855 #. HIS NAME WAS JASON TIBBS. I CALLED THE SHERIFF'S DEBT. FILED A COMPLAINT FOR IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER AND THEY WERE GOING TO CALL THEM. I HEAR FROM THEM ABOUT EVERY 3 OR 4 MONTHS. THEY DON'T HAVE MY PHONE NUMBER.

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

In June I got a call from a private number, saying I had filed fraud charges on someone. Then she gave me this 855 number to call. I called they wouldn't give me their name, said they were attorneys. Wanted me to pay 177 dollars that day. They said myself & my ex boyfriend had taken a payday loan out at advance America. I told them no I've never had a payday oan. Then they said yes it was you. We have your social. I asked for any information they have. They gave me a social number. I told them that wasn't mine. They said well what I'd yours. I didn't Gove it to them. They said if I don't give them my card number I was going to court. I hung up then. Yesterday say private call to call this number. This time they said I took the loan out alone & had my social. I informed them I have talked to advance America & had a letter saying I've never had a loan there.they said that's Stupid because we have and I was going to court the end of this month. I was going to lose my kids. That now I have two fraud charges because I didn't pay them last time. That I need to find someone to raise my kids cause I'll be in jail for a long time. I hung up. Called advance America again. Making sure my ex didn't take a loan out. She said no & that they don't take people to court. Told me to go to the cops about this.

At first, I received a phone call from an unknown number, He said his name was Justin and he was a process server and wanted to know if I was going to be home between the hours of 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.  I told him, No and he told me to call 1-855-325-1795 to reschedule the process serving,  I told him.  OK? So I called the 1-855-325-1795 and spoke with a woman named Amanda, who transferred me to another woman who said her name was Linda Austin.  She had my old married name, my SSN# and my new cell phone number.  She said, that I needed to set up a payment plan for a payday loan debt from Advance Check, she could not give me much more information about it.  She said, The total amount that I owe is $677 and they need a full payment or set up a payment plan, she put me on hold, came back and said the attorney's would not take anything less than $177 today and then $100 every week until it was paid off, or they were going to take me to court (she said that is what the process server is for) and I would have chargers brought up against me for fraud and some others with a total of $750 for 1 charge and $750 for another charge and the original $677 and court fees.  The judge may even just want to throw you in jail to make an example out of me, is what she told me.  so, they are threatening me with charges and jail time.  Then before we ended she said her name was Brenda Austin.  They won't provide me with any paperwork or other information about this issue.  This supposed issue was over 10 years ago, I don't even remember getting it or remember much about that time.  I have received numerous phone calls from this number 1-855-325-1795 and unknown numbers.  I have messages on my voice mail from them, a woman named Angela Mosk, who is with this company.  I see that other people are having issues with this as well.  I need help with what I should do.  As of this moment in time, I don't know what to do.  Any advice??

Department of Legal Services
   2265 Niagara St., Suite 2
   Buffalo, NY  14207
   1-822-325-1795
The information as stated above

My daughter's friend received a call on my behalf on her private phone number from this number stating they had a legal case to discuss with me and gave her the case number 33715N.  They said they were Department of Legal Services.  I called back and got a voice recording that did not sound like a legitimate business.

I just received the same call,laison,he did have my cell # but was calling about a check from a bank in 1999, which was wrong,and threatened me with a supoena,and also used my daughters name!Said the same thing,about legal documents,who are they and how do they get cell #'s  and addresses???

I think it's ridiculous that the callers from this number call people , don't identify themselves, tell you you're being sued, and, in my case, say that I'll be served between 4 and 6 this evening.  Like one of the other reporters, the young lady closed by telling me "good luck".  It's quite rude, and I hope someone does something about these calls.

The names of the individuals may change, but they are Laisons with Department of Legal Services.  If you receive a call from these people, REPORT THEM TO FTC.GOV IMMEDIATELY. The information you'll need is as follows:

    Department of Legal Services
    2265 Niagara St., Suite 2
    Buffalo, NY  14207
    1-822-325-1795

Go get them.

Go to FTC.GOV and provide them with that contact information. Federal Investigations tend to knock out these frauds.

Contact FTC.gov and leave as much information on their company as possible. Once the FTC has enough complaints on this company, they can open a federal investigation on them and shut down their fraudulent practice.

Report them to FTC.gov so that the federal government can open an investigation on them. This kind of fraud is a federal offense and can land their constituents in federal prison.

Just report them on FTC.gov under consumer complaints and let federal investigators have some fun with them.

just received a phone call from these people today left a voicemail claiming to be department of legal services and that a case has been filed against me , guys any valid debt should be sent by mail

Read up on the laws and your rights:

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
*******************************
Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing?
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer?s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
****************************************
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.

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/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

in paying the 700 you paid what company took the money out of your acct? this just happend to me and im investigating it myself to see if it is indeed fraud. they are calling me saying i didnt make the payments but it was taken out of my acct from a payment company

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/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

Also read up on the laws and your rights:

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://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
************
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
*******************************
Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing?
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer?s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
****************************************
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.

I really wonder if this is the same company I was threatened by. I was told I was being charged with fraud for overdraft fees I had from an account almost 7 years ago. I was supposed to be served today but nobody ever showed up. I dont even know how to file a report against them because I have no idea what anyone's name is including the company...only the bank in question. This bank isnt even on my credit report....I checked!!! I called the number they gave me this evening but conveniently I am west coast and they are east and their offices closed at 5 my time. The message they have doesnt even identify the company just that it is the claims dept.

"Department of Legal Services 2265 Niagara St Ste 2 Buffalo NY 14207 information taken from the BBB site" -- would you post that link, please?
I cannot locate it.

I also can't locate a registered business in NY state under the name of
"Department of Legal Services" or
"Division of Legal Services"

I DO find SEVERAL listings of SCAMS using this, when I do a google search.

Collection agencies cannot file charges, only the local district attorney can.  Also, unpaid debt is always civil and not criminal. The most they could do is file a lawsuit to collect but only if the statute of limitations in your state has not passed.

Received a call stating they were "Department of Legal Services"  threating me with serving court documents at my residence during a certain time period.  Guess who never showed up?  I have heard of this scam several times on the internet using the same number.  Since they quoted my address and threating with bogus court dates and advising me to contact my lawyer,  I contacted the county court system and found no such reference.  My lawyer said to wait until the bogus papers were served and he would greatly enjoy taking the case and letting them eat crow, pay for his fees, and having them pay punitive damages.

Do you know the actual Name, Address, or local telephone number for these folks?

I seriously doubt there is ANY company with the name they are giving.

yeah, right ... and what is the
Name
Address
Local telephone number

of this fine, upstanding collection agency that "helped" you so much?  I would think you would LOVE to shout their name from the rooftops for "helping" you so much!....SHILL

YEP!  And, in violation of the FDCPA.
Where's your DEBT VALIDATION LETTER they are supposed to mail via US Postal service?

These idiots called my wife looking for me. I called back and they transferred me to the legal dept. asked what this is regarding and they said I'm being charged with fraud and writing a bad check in 2005. I didn't even have a checking account in 2005! They said I have 45 min to pay or charges will be filed against me. Idiots!

This is a scam.  Did you receive any paperwork?  If not, don't even talk to this "company". Did you ever hear of a company called "Department of ---"??

Department of Legal Services 2265 Niagara St Ste 2 Buffalo NY 14207 information taken from the BBB site.
This company left a voicemail stating that they were going to start legal services and notify my job and left a number after stating the last four number of a social security. When called back and asked them to explain what this call is concerning, she told me that the matter was sent to the legal department and she transfered me to another location which identified themself as the legal department. However they did not have any information or matching my name or the last four numbers of my social security. She also states that I need to contact collection and when I told her they are the ones that  transfer me to her she was baffled but very rude in the process. She kept stating I should not request to be transfer to the legal department. So frustrating!!! No one understand that a person social security is private and that their practice is horrible. Filed a complaint with BBB

I just got a call from these people saying the same thing, who are they what are they, do they really come serve you.

Im so sick of these scammers calling me. They already got me for $700. How dis i get them to stop calling.
Michael robinson and kevin king were the guys i talked to.