I got a voice mail from this number the guy said he was from William Michael & Associates and that they were attempting to deliver a package to me the day before and it needed someone to sign. After reading the comments above, I realize that this is scam and don't intent to call them back.

I have gotten harassing phone calls from Bill Collectors for years because of trying to reach same name but different spelling, so they call the number that is listed as my home number has always been listed. (Not hiding from anyone). BUT today, someone from 885 883-9893 left a message on a relative's CELL number for This "same name, different spelling" to call back that it was important regarding a "return item of the bank"..don't disregard call..AFTER numerous attempts of me returning their call and only getting recording to stay on line for next available representative to help...then for it to hang up, decided to look on internet to see if I could get any info and a better number to call them back...(only to tell them they have the wrong person and MOST IMPORTANT: Don't ever call a relative that lives in another town about an outstanding bill that we have nothing to do with...THAT'S WHEN I saw these comments..So seeing the ext 505, I called back and was able to get thru to "INVESTIGATOR MICHAELS"...He answered "INVESTIGATOR" and when I asked his name, he said "INVESTIGATOR MICHAELS"...I gave him the FILE # that was left on my relative's cell # and my name..He proceeded to tell me the "CHARGES against "same name, different spelling" and I interrupted to ask for how "they" get the #'s to call people and especially a number of a person that doesn't live in same household..he said International Currier Service..they "do all that" before he even gets the paper work..I asked for that number, he said he could give me a few numbers to call but when he realized it wasn't the "same name, different spelling" person he was trying to collect outstanding bill, he wouldn't give it to me and said to give me the relative's # and he will personally call the ICS and get them to take the # off the records..OF course, I wasn't going to give him the number and got a little 'huffy'..PLEASE BEWARE OF THESE PHONE CALLS....

I  rec  a  voice  mail to  my cell phone from some  guy  say  his  name  was  James  smith  an  he  was  trying to delivery  court docket  to my  home  an  to call William Michael associates  at 885-883-9893 ext505 he  left  on my voice mail  he was from INTERATIONAL CARRIE  SERVICE that  he  need to come to my home  an for me to sign  for the court docket  I  still have  bank  papers  show  were  I  PAYED  MY  LOAN  OFF  FROM  YEARS   AGO . so  I got on line  to  see if  it  was  a scam an  it  is.  this  guy  call him self JAMES SMITH  WAS  THE SAME  GUY  when I call the number  at  William Michael associates on  the voice  mail  that  pick  up

They call everyone in the family, day and night not right. Called and said to send a letter.

Today I received a call from "unknown" number looking for my daughter. Stated he was a Marshall looking to serve her with a summons. Then went on to say it's a felony charge, 3 counts of check fraud. I am no fool. I asked from who. He went on to tell me, "Check & Arbitration 855.833.9893 ext 504 Brian Reed," to get information. Then stated if I can clear the matter by the end of today, they would fax it to him to close. I called Brian Reed & was told she got a pay day loan from Plain Green in May 2011 and the total collection balance is now $1898. He then stated if I could pay $200 today they would dismiss. Well, that confirmed this was BS. I asked what was the name of his company. He stated, "William Michaels & Associates." The Sheriff is the person who serves a summon in my county, and he's not making a phone call first!  I called the county sheriff's office to confirm there is no summons, etc.  The clerk even called "Brian Reed," who told the clerk that my daughter wrote a check for $1500 (another lie).  He then called me and left a message regarding the call he received and if I don't pay he will proceed.  I've reported.

I received a call today from 855-883-9893 and a message was left on my voice mail service that I needed to contact William Michaels & Associates in regards to a legal matter that was pending and had been filed in my county of residents. Caller  stated in the message that it was important that I call them back to prevent them moving forward with charges in this case.


I will not return the call and have made note of the time and call back number in case there is a need to file.

I am getting the same calls and threats of getting served papers and going to court. (855) 883-9893

I am getting the same calls and threats of getting served papers and going to court.

They called me again today. From number 7162475122 this time. William michaels and associates is who they claim to be. I reported them to the FTC

I believe this is a fraudulent scam to get people to pay money over the phone. Little did these guys know, they were talking to an ex-process server. I checked my message, and received a voice mail telling me that they attempted to serve me court papers, and I needed to contact Investigator John Michaels to take care of this serious matter. I called back and asked them repeatedly for their license numbers (as you need a license to be a private investigator, which usually accompanies a process serving company). I knew they were breaking the law. I also asked for their address to send a certified letter, they hung up on me. I called back and asked for an address again and their PI license number, he refused, and I kindly informed him that I will be contacting the sheriff's department and will be reporting them.

They did not come to my home, there was no lawsuit filed against me (public records in Wisconsin, all it took was an internet search). Had I owed a debt and paid it, they would have taken the money over the phone.

If you can do some research and find out who this is, it would do everyone some good. If it is a legitimate business, you can contact your State Attorney General's Office, and it will start some kind of investigation. I am also going to call them back, and give them a bogus name to see if they will attempt to take money over the phone.

Ah, now that the stupid shill remarks are gone, we can get to business ....

This is extortion dressed as debt collection. Consumer debts in America, including payday loans, are a *CIVIL* matter, not criminal! The agents' horrid threats are empty and their conduct is illegal. As early as possible it's critical to determine if your collector is domestic or yet another South Asian faker. The former you can sue into submission; the latter tend to be out of reach.

My notes from October 2011 on payday loan and "hot check" collectors are linked below.

Fake payday loan collection scams
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-429fb24ec2162e3/ ... -numbers-here-2

See also this FTC alert: "Fake Debt Collectors"
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

The following will be useful if you have a US domestic collector calling, and will in general help you sniff out the frauds:

official FTC guidance and staff opinions on the FDCPA, PDF copy of the Act
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

CFPB Q&A on debt collection practices
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... debt-collection

They'll probably offer to drop the charge if you give them money.  Don't give them any money.  Its a scam.  They can't charge you for anything.

They are going to charge me for something I did not do

Received a call from this number saying they were Investigator Perez and I needed to contact Mark Dunlap or I would have three charges of fraud against me if I didn't call them.  Called my local police department and they confirmed it's a scam.  They said do not call them back because they will just continue to harass you and DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY.  Legitimate debt collectors will mail you something.

this caller called me threatening legal action on some sort of check and arbitration services company.  they said they were going to arrest me