i fell prey to this scam and if it were not for my bank i would have lost a lot of money. this is such a disheartening and funky thing to have delt with. it is comforting to hear from someone who knows.

855 is a toll free number not a cell phone you are being called about a payday loan u recieved probly done online afb is the collection agency collecting on the payday loan

Evidently, the same number called my mom and step dad's today and earlier last week. Claiming that they have a suit filed against me and that they want my mom to testify against me. She told them that I do not live there and hung up the phone. The guy called back a couple of times after that. Also left threatening message on their vm. I know that it is illegal for any collection agency to threaten or harass payment or even threaten jail or prosecution. My mom has PTSD and other various medical issues and does not need this. I advised her to ignore them and call the police and file a report against them.

Iam so tired of the threats and the harrassment for a company I have never dealt with and they tell me I work for a company I have never heard of...they give you an email they claim is your's and it isn't...and supposedly belong to a credit union which I have never had...then they say you must be guilty so you have to pay so much then they will leave you alone...but then they tack on more...for late fees etc. for a pay day loan that you have never used in your life...and say don't get hostile with me...you wrote the fraudulent check from a credit union that you never had?

This is a SCAM. at one point maybe you filled out for a payday loan, or filled a form out to win something.  In either case you are in their system now so it takes a while to get removed.

Caution, they are Real Low Life. Here's the lay of the land as they say, I work in the court system so I will go thru this for you .

First they are calling because they say they can not find you. This is Crap as the sheriff, will NEVER, EVER call you to tell you they are coming. They live to work on the element of surprise. Plus if your township, county etc, wants you, they already know where you are, so sit tight.

Second, and most important, NEVER CALL these low life bottom feeders back.  Because truth be known they don't care who they talk to as long as they can get money from someone. It doesn't even have to be the right person. If you call them back then they know that they have a real tangible working phone number that they can call to harass you all the time of day and night.  Just ignore the call, or better yet, tag them as a spam call in your phone, and you'll never even see them ring it.

Third, these people function and live on the *Fear factor* they will say anything,  tell you anything to get you to give them the money thru your checking account, debit card or credit card.  Many people get scammed this way. I've heard : coming to your workplace to arrest you, serving you in the morning if you don't call by a certain time, attaching your salary, etc, etc, this is all nothing but crap.

Fourth, in most states payday loans are ILLEGAL as they charge obnoxious interest, and states are trying desperately to control that.  Since I'm not sure of what state anyone is in, I cannot site them all here, but if you go to your states attorney general page, you should be able to look up the laws.

Fifth, I know it sounds nice to send them a letter or report them, but this is a futile. They have got this to a science.  With all that is going on in court system they know they have time on their side.  Not enough of these low life bottom feeders get caught and prosecuted, if they did...they wouldn't still be in business, but they are, thousands of them.

Lastly, anyone who posts that you are scum or a deadbeat PAY YOUR BILLS , OR OMG  they came to my place of work and arrested me, are full of crap and are just trying to SCARE you, SEE MY THIRD NOTE Above, Fear factor.

Best thing to do in this case, especially with these people is TO IGNORE. Eventually when no one engages with them they will go away to torment someone else.

Hope this helps you all out.

One who knows.

THERE WAS SOME LADY NAMED BUNNIE PHIL CAALLING ME TELLING ME SHE IS SOME SENIOR SOMETHING AT A COLLECTION AGENCY, TALKING ABOUT SERVING ME PAPERS, I WENT TO THE COUNTY COURTS AND THERE IS NO SUCH DOCS, I FILED HARASSMENT CHARGES IN BROWARD COUNTY. SHE WILL REC PAPERWORK

They called my number about another persons transaction & left a threatening message on my voicemail. Filed a complaint with the FTC and consumer finance.gov. The caller refused to take my number out of their database. Recipients of these calls can file a complaint with the Fwderal Trade Commission or consumerfinance.gov.

So I got a call from this number and Autobahn Financial today about money owed to Cash Web USA and how they are going to garnish my wages. I told her this is all over the internet as a scam and she said well this is a new number and things on the internet are not true. She said there is a website for the company. i have not found it. She said she would give me 24 hrs to prove that it had been paid off or they would expect payment and order the garnishment. So is she for real or is she lying? I can't afford to lose money. Someone please reassure me shes fake. She knew my bank info and everything.

855-735-4671 calls me left a voice mail saying I need to call him to make a payment plan or I would go to jail that a sherif will come to my home or my job,plz don't believe this man it's all a scam

Caller name was Julian Hough.  He called and left a message on my voicemail at work threatening legal action. He called back the next day and I answered the phone he began telling me that I was gonna be served papers for check fraud.  He was talking fast and tried to get me to comment on the validity of the debt.  I told him not to call my job and gave him my personal phone number.  The next morning my supervisor called me into her office and said he had called her and discussed my personal financial information with her.  He told her that I hung up on him and threatened legal action against the company.  He said the company was AFB.  

Got a call from these jerks. Their collecting for some payday loan company, and it's borderline illegal - can't threaten charges and that you'll be "served" or that "your file will be turned over to (county) for processing". I just got a call and you could hear a call center of people in the background. Ms. Fitzpatrick was her "name". Called at 3:30 stating that I had one hour to get back to her.

Lawsuits are served by a constable or sheriff and are legal documents. Keep track of the harassing voicemails. They aren't going to spend $1,000 to collect a small amount of money - especially when you can probably counter-sue them for their collection practices.

The 855 number is their callback number. I received a call from 716-923-7408.

This company, AFB, is Audobon Financial Bureau.  They are located in Getzville, NY and can be found on google.  They buy unpaid online payday  loans and use extreme, illegal tactics to collect.  There is no sense in blocking the number because they use literally a hundred different ones. Best bet is to file a complaint with your state's attorney general office, because the FCC won't do anything.  

I received a call on my cell, at work, and on my little sisters cell phone.  They left messages on all lines, except work because I told him that I didn't work there.  The representative that called was "Keon Jordan".  He stated he was calling for a client and that I owed $1,000.  I stopped him mid-sentence and asked him the company he said "CashNet" - NEVER HEARD OF THEM.  I told him that I now work for the county sheriff's office (which I don't) and he immediately started studdering.  I told him that we had several calls come in from this number and we have ruled it as a scam and if he didn't stop he would have a harrassment suit filed against him.  He studdered his way to say it wasn't a scam and that it was legit.  I then asked him why is the number registered in India......the line went "dead" - in other words he hung up.

SCAM!!!!!

message needs immediate attn from my son and me. This is Thomas oliver calling about a legal claim he filed in harris county regarding fraud against a financial institution. His office has been retained ( no business name given) to prosecute due to financial activity with J P Morgan Chase bank. Then he gave my sons full Texas Drivers License number. Prior to executing a verdict he wished to speak to us and advise us of our legal rights.Failure to respond in 48 hours will result in immediate service of process to our home and employeement. Left number 855 735 4671 ext 190 wished us luck and hung up. I have already started calling this number and all the other 855 numbers and letting those perverts know how sick i am of hearing about their mothers and wives getting caught in a unflattering acts with their camels and sheep.  I start calling every morning after i butcher a cow.

I got a call from 855-735-4671 claiming to be from an attorney's office looking for a michael osborn. when I didn't cooperate with the caller they said someone would be out to 'serve me'.

This is good information to know I just got threaten.

Well Scared, print this out and give it to her! Its a scam.. to be exact, its extortion scam! File reports and she should also! She should contact her phone provider also and file a complaint and see if they will block this number from calling her. If you where going to be served with anything, they don't call. Also file a report with the local pd.  
If you had a bad check, the bank would contacted you long ago to rectify the matter. As would the person or business you had written it to along with paying those high bounced check fee's.   What they are trying to do is technically say this, but the best they could even do is send a copy of a check, in which case, you'd be wanting to look it over very carefully for signature forgery, and bank account numbers. You'd want to go to the bank in question and have them pull the file as well.  You also want to look at your credit and maybe put a fraud alert on your credit with the three company's.  Go see your bank personally and tell them what you posted here as well. They would know if you had a bounced a check etc.  Chances are this is extortion scam.. there's been some posted here under other numbers about this as well as other extortion scams too.

credit reports:  Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports

 

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://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
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http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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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."
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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 have not been personally called by this number but a friend of mine was called on my behalf and said that she was going to be taken to court. I was being charged with check fraud and I used her as a co applicant. now this friend is mad at me thinking I missused our friendship which in return I did not. I do not even have her social security number. I do not even know how they got her number. They said they are from my bank but if they were they would freeze my accounts right? Well I called the bank and they have not done so. so How do I proceed with this and my firend?

A guy called me questioning about and self employee that he owed $7000 worth of furniture. And time of purchased he used me as a reference, which it means he implicated me and if he don't pay I would be send to court. Is that true or even possible? didn't sign any paperwork.

You cannot be jailed for debt in the United States.

It is illegal for a debt collector to reveal one party's debt to another person (even family).

It is illegal for a debt collector to threaten jail for not paying a debt.

The person who called you is probably inventing the entire story. He's definitely violating the law. But he doesn't care because he's probably calling from far outside the country where U.S. law enforcement can't get him.

All you can do is ignore his calls until he gives up and tries to find someone else to con.

CALL FROM A GENTLEMAN ASKING FOR MY GODDAUGHTER THAT HE STATES SHE OWES $15,000.00
FOR OUTSTANDING WARRANTS SO I NEED TO SET UP PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS TO BE PAID IN FULL WITHIN 90 DAYS. OR WE OR SHE WILL GO TO JAIL

I just received another call not even thirty minutes after the last one!! These ppl are out of control and need to be put to an end!!!

I have been getting calls from this number saying they have the last four of my social and a legal claim will be filed against me in the county I live in. He also said my driving privileges may be revoked. He said his name was David Garcia and that he was calling on behalf of FAB or AFB one of the two. I googled both of those company names and they do not exist! This guy is a scammer! Don't give him any money!!!!

I got a call from this number daily they left a vm threatening to file a suit against me if i didnt respond back in 48 hours I do have some owed debt but not to this regard or even any idea of this company

The mobile # 855 735 4671 is registered in India. I have verified this face with phone company. The man that left a vmail  was American- or sounded American. They are using accents now, because think about it, why would India be calling you? The man claims to be your representative and wants your statement for a civil claim they have against you. All untrue, they are trying to extort money from you. Ignore and report them. If there was a case against you, you would be served, at your home. The sheriff doesn't call you to tell you hes coming.....he would never deliver anything if he did.

The mobile # 855 735 4671 is registered in India. The man that left a vmail on my phone was American- or sounded American. Same exact message as the one you guys have posted but he also said he was calling on behalf of AFB (?) Associates. Also wondering if this is related to the info hijacked from the pharmacy retailers. I had to deal with that a few months ago thu my bank--someone making purchases at CVS, Rite Aid etc using debit card info. Bank said there were thousands of us who reported it. Anyone else had that happen? maybe they're related....??

I received this call also! At my job! It scared me but I could tell it wasnt  legitimate.  How do we stop them/ report them to? This is awful what they're doing.Thank you for posting your experience.  I thought it was just me.

Harassing calls

Recieved a call at 3:07am from a Mr. Schales. I don't know who or where he is from. I tried calling the
number and told me its unavailable.

Man named Robert who sounded like and an attorney saying I must set up to pay  installments
or be filed for a legal claim against me. this is the second time two different ph numbers being called from. Im not sure if they are both affiliated. But I do think they are in cohords.