I also received a call from a Janice Becker with Investiteck claiming I owed money on a bad check from 9 years ago.  I pretty much was told the same thing that all of you were told.  I checked with an attorney and he told me that the statute of limitations ran out on my check. So, I ignored them.  Then out of nowhere I was served a summons to appear in court on my check.  I called the lawyer back and told him what just happened.  What he failed to tell me was that the statute of limitations he was talking about was for any criminal charges that they could file against me.  He also told me that most states have a 5 to 7 years limit to file against someone on a bad check.  But, and here comes the catch, he told me that they could take me to court up to ten years after they contacted me for violating 'contractual obligations'.  Go figure.  So, watch yourself.  It ended up costing me alot more money than I thought it would.  Don't listen to anyone who is not an attorney and then verify what he or she tells you.

Thank you guys for the wealth of information about this scam. I, too received a letter and harrassing calls from these creeps. And what's so kidding? I almost fell prey to theses guys. I offered to try and resolve this so call bad check scam by trying to negotiate with T. Ross and come up with the $397.00 by 2morrow. I got to thinking this is a check from fourteen yrs. ago and I have been living at the same address for 17yrs. I am able to write checks and get credit so how is it? I suppositely have not one but two bad checks from this so call Ventures Dept.Store and T.Ross. T. Ross claims Invetitech have been trying to get in contact with me that's a LIE. He did not attempt to contact me. The first time that, I heard from this rude guy was on 2/12/08 he called me with his threatening and aggressive behavior. I was shocked by his attitude. T. Ross told me, that he was filing a claim with the courts the same day. This was my first time ever hearing from this guy. He even hung up the phone in my face. Telecheck and check recover stated they have no records of me and any hot checks.  And if I did have bad checks my check previleges would have been stopped long before fourteen yrs. later. Like, some of you this guy T.Ross alledged having some of your personal infor. such as your driver's license, ss# and... Well he presented the first few numbers of my s.s.# on the threatening letter and the other numbers were X out. These guys have really gotten deep with this scam. I say to all be careful and don't be intimendated by these sick individual who are trying to prey off innocent people. Get the right people involve to stop these predators from taking advantage of some elderly or disable person who is vulnerable and end up giving their life savings to these guys. KUDOS TO ALL MAY GOD BLESS.

My ex daughter in law got a letter from investitech and it was very convincing. They have her social# too. It was about bad checks she wrote 15 years agao. And thought she didn't pay them until I found this website. How do we get the FBI on this Investitech. Go to the FBI website and report the SCAM !!!!

Inspector Malone from Investitech tried telling me this morning that I have a NSF check from Venture Dept Store from 1994 and send him money before I go to jail.  He left a number of 1-866-571-9287 but the caller ID said 1-917-464-5722 and the name of the business was IUG according to caller ID.  Total jerk.

I have filed a complaint with the FTC about breaking the law on collection of debts. The phone calls to my phone were for another person who never lived at our phone. They would never say who they were calling for so they could continue to call us hoping I believe, that I would pay the debt just to get them to stop calling me night and day and leaving threatening messages. They can only call your phone once if the debt is not yours. They only have a right to ask if you have a current address of the person they are looking for. They are not to  threaten you in any way like they have been doing to all of us. Even the letter is not to be threatening. They are only to state the facts of the debt. I suggest that everyone turn these people into the Federal Trade Commission.

Received a call from Tom Ross of Investitech. He claimed that I had an NSF check from Venture Dept. Store in 1994 and wanted me to send them some money before I received a summons from the court. However, the statue of limitations on an NSF check is 10 years and the address that is listed for the Investitech belongs to another company in Las Vegas and the letter that I received was postmarked from Bedford Park, Illinois, not Las Vegas, NV. Also, he is using a New York as well. The company is a Fraud and the Better Business Bureau can not find a business license on the company and they will not return any calls from the Better Business Bureau. I have called the police in New York and Las Vegas, regarding this company and have filed a complaint with the Federal Commission. Tom Ross was very ruded and he needs to be stopped. He told me that he was going to take my house and send me to jail. Please file a compliant against Tom Ross of Investitech.

Tom Ross is the biggest jerk I know.  My story is the same as above.  My "check" was from 1991 from Venture as well.  I don't even know if the check truly bounced.  I doubt it!  However, Tom told me he was going to take my house and call my job and tell them I write bad checks!  I spoke with my attorney.  He told me that the statue of limitations  was up on the check.  However, they have a right to collect as long as they let you know about the debt every four years.  Well, since it is now 2008. I think they missed the 4 year notification period! I told him not to call me anymore. However, he has called me 25 times in a 2 hour period.  He will call private or from the 866-571-9287 or a 917 number. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

I was wondering Yvonne Hayes who posted Jan 11, where did you have to go to court? How long after you first received the phone call did you receive a summons? I still do not understand the Statute of limitations thing if the state
says 5-7 years then how could they come against you after 9 years? I still am not going to send any money. I am considering sending my letter to the agencies that Gregg has suggested on Jan 12 posting. I also was wondering that if the information has been sold then Investiteck has no right to harass us if we did not actually do business with them but with Venture stores.

Please DO NOT CALL THESE PEOPLE BACK!!  Same situations as above. They called me 2 years ago and again this week with the same crap!  I called the attorney general of Las Vegas , the BBB my local police dept and the bank at wich they claimed i bounced the check!  All of them said it is bogas and CAN NOT  do anything legally to us!!!!!. The Attorney general and such said that when Venture went out of Business they sold the record books or something, so unfortunatly they have personal info on us!! (which is scary). 2 years ago they were a different name. After I notified this bogas company of all the people I called they picked up and left!!! **REMEMBER**  They can't do anything that's legal,, don't give them any money!

Got same call from this Tim guy he talked to my parents and started harassing them about a check they had written thinking it was me.I only write checks for my mortgage and car note and have online banking that i check everyday i do not have any bad check looks like a bogus call and letter.

I cant believe all this stuff. I got a call on my CELLPHONE about a bad check I wrote to Venture Stores (who've been out of business for 13+ years now). The check was dated 1991..so I told this guy, that was 18 years ago..are you serious?? He had no current information on me, said that if I didnt do all that you guys have already listed above (certified funds, overnighted, etc.) that I would be put on a national bad check registry, etc. Eighteen years?? He had none of my current information. Only where I lived 18 years ago and the fact that he called me on my CELLPHONE??? Weird. Needless to say, I didnt comply and today is supposed to be my doombsday. If they didnt recieve all this information by today, I guess Im supposed to fall off the earth today. Who knows. After reading all this, its sounds even more shady than I could of ever imagined. Who knows. 18 years is a LONG LONG Time for them to finally get around to contacting me.

Same scenario reported extensively above, except that "Bedford Park" appears to be in Illinois and not New York (see comment by PI on 1/07/08 above).  Looks to be Malone himself is located in the state of Illinois.  This is mail fraud and should be reported to those in Illinois who regulate debt collectors; I would start with the Illinois State Department of banking.  However, if you really want to inflict a little discomfort upon these jack***es, call the feds (and not the FBI).  Start with the Federal Trade Commission and, if you have a piece of mail, the U. S. Postal Inspector nearest you.  There is, in the law, something called a Statute of Limitations; bad checks need to be prosecuted within something like 3-5 years.  In my case, it seems to be a check I wrote more than 15 years ago and for which charges actually were brought and the matter of criminal liability was closed.  Do not speak to these people on the telephone; wait until you have something tangible, like a piece of mail, then direct all your efforts to the good guys.  Do not answer these people.  I have fourteen years'  experience with the U. S. Department of Treasury, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, including five (5) in DC.  Actually, I used to enforce the FDCP ("Fair Debt Collection Practices Act").  I may be reached at 920-730-5618 and/or gbdery@hotmail.com and you do not need a lawyer; just call the feds and they will mail you paperwork to complete.

This call was from a Tim Malone who said he was investigating a complaint that involved my name address and personal information. He did not name me so he had no clue as to who I was. He said it was very important that I call him back this afternoon, Tuesday 11/27/2007. If he was really who he claims he was he would have said my name and then left his message. I am a retired person in my 60's and live in a rural KS town. The number I was to call back was 866-571-9287.

I received a recorded message from " Investigator Tom Ross" of INVESTITECK as well. The message he left stated "it is urgent I get back with him today regarding an incident involving me and my state identifaction at 1-866-571-9287". I called him back immediately stating this is Jodi Bingham returning a call from Tom Ross. He asked me to state the last 4 numbers of my home phone. I did so and he went into lengthy and frank conversation about a debt from 1991 I owed to Venture for a returned check. He had my maiden name and stated he ran a background check and credit history and since I had no priors he wanted to notify before a benchwarrant was issued for my arrest Wed. (thats less than 2 days). He stated I had to pay this and send the money order via Federally insured money order that could only be purchased at a post office. He gave me detailed instructions of what I was to put on the money order and further stated to include a self-addressed stamp envelope for the receipt of payment.
I was to send this tomorrow via OVERNIGHT mail and call him with the serial # on money order and also the overnight mail track #. The address he provided is:  INVESTITECK     PO BOX 701    Bollingbrook, IL. 60440
I am going to base legal which is legal advice given to military since we are active duty ARMY.
I wanted to atleast see what my rights were since this was over 17 years ago. I figured I should of gotten something in writing and a letter stating I had 30 days or something to appeal. I started investigating the MO law since thats the state I lived at the time and didn't even make it to IL law and came across this site. THANK you all for posting and making me aware. I am going to seek legal advice in the morning and will go from their. I am IRRATE and now worried because he knew my old address, bank from 1991 and maiden name etc.
Please share any additional info. you may have with me as I will keep you updated as well.

Tom Ross and Tim Malone from Investiteck, if legitamate, are violating the FDCPA by harassing you and threating legal action.  The address on their letter head is actually a Mail Link post office box which tries to imply that the have some type of office there.  Since they are calling from both an 866 and 917 area code and letters are post marked Bedford Park, one can assume that these individuals are actually out of Bedford Park NY.  I have notified the Nevada Attorney General of their unethical practices.

Since first posting this phone number on the web I have received a call from someone else saying that my SS# was being used illegally and obviously had been stolen. So I think that this Tim Malone or whatever his name is and Investiteck are the criminals and have broken into a data base somewhere. THIS IS A SCAM. DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE ANY MONEY OR INFORMATION.

Just as the callers before me, an investigator, Tom Ross called and left a message on my answering machine stating that my name was brought into an investigation of check fraud and I should call immediately (implying I was the victim).  My husband called him back and he said he needed to speak to me directly.  I called him and he told me he was calling regarding a bad check I wrote to Venture in 1993 and that his company was hired to do a background check on me and to notify me that as of Dec. 31st I was to be summons to court, I would have to pay over $900, and I would be reported to the registry for fraudulent checks.  When I started asking questions like WHO would be taking me to court (he did tell me Investitech), he got very belligerent.  I told him there was no reason to get rude and loud.  He started accusing me of being a criminal.  Told me I could have my lawyer/police call him if I want, but I have no right to question him.  He said I was the one who was breaking the law and not honoring my commitments then he hung up on me.  I was in shock.  What really scares me is that he said he would fax me a copy of the check (we never got that far) and he knew my maiden name, my address where I grew up, and my old bank. I really don't remember bouncing a check to Venture but I was young in 1993. He had me questioning myself.  I'm pretty sure I didn't considering I worked at the local Venture for 4 years just prior to that.  I think this guy was trying to scam me.  I have contacted the police and filing a report.  Another thing, after the initial confrontation, this guy has called me back 3 times in the same day!  I would not pick up; he hung up when the anwsering machine picked up. The caller ID said a New York call. Whatever you do don't give him any information - he's a creep!!!!!

Message on my home machine says to call 866-571-9287 regarding a complaint filed against me.  My husband calls the number and the man says it is regarding a bad check from myself and my previous husband, and that I should call him back.  I called Mr. Ross and he told me that he was calling regarding a bad check I wrote to Venture in 1991 and that his company had been contracted by Venture to find me, do a background and criminal check on me, to notify the national registry for fraudulent checks and to finalize a summons for me to appear in court tomorrow.  When I started questioning him asking him how I can have a summons to appear in court tomorrow when this is the first contact I have had, he got very belligerent and threatening with me.  He said he had my ssn and he was trying to help me to pay a lesser amount but if I did not want to do that then I could pay $898 which would be what I owed if it went to court tomorrow.  He got threatening again, and when I asked him why he was being so rude to me, he said it was because I had called him a crook.  I told him I had not said that, but I am entitled to ask questions when someone tells me they are calling about a bad check from 1991, saying that I have to appear in court tomorrow if I don't pay, and telling me that I will never be able to get credit again or write a check because I will be on the national fraudulent check writing registry.  His last words were "I"ll see your a** in court, to which I replied "Fine, because I'm not paying your a**!"   (what is extremely disturbing, is when I asked him to fax me a copy of the supposed bad check, he did, and it is a check I wrote to Venture in 1991.  The faxed copy I received is hardly legible, but it is a check I wrote.  What I don't know is if I really bounced a check back then and never made restitution of it.  I would assume I had, if I had bounced it, but how did he get a copy of that check?)

Received a letter from Investiteck for my son who has been dead for 10 years. Tim Malone signed it and says if my son does not call him immediately he will file all kinds of things in our state against him. It is for bad checks. I have no way of knowing if it is true or not. There is however a Statute of Limitations on written contracts in every state and in our state it is 5 years. So if our son has been dead 10 years then the allegations have to be older than that. It is a SCAM do not call this man back he is a CROOK. DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY MONEY.

The phone number that we are supposed to call back is a New York number, so is the IUG number that comes up on caller ID. Why would letters come from Las Vegas or Ill? I also looked up in NY any business named Investiteck or Investitech and there is no registered business by that name that is an investigation company. My best guess is that this is a scam to get our personal information. One day I called the number and said if they ever called my number again I would turn them into the FBI since Tim had gotten threatening in the last message he left on my machine. I have gotten no more calls from this creep.

I received several harassing calls and now a letter, with my name and first part of my social security number, I have never written a bad check and they are saying I have several bad checks. Any ideas? It was signed by this Tim Malone Guy and the address in Las Vegas, but the letter was mailed in Bedford Park, Illinois. Not sure where they got my information....but it's very bothersome.

Man called and identified himself as Tim Malone who said that he wsa investigating a check fraud case from 1992.  He said that he had all of my personal information and that a complaint would be filed against me if I didn't remedy the problem.  He never said where the complaint would made at.  He also had called and talked to my father.  I also received a letter from him with a return address at Las Vegas.

They have called 5 times this week. Today, 12/4/2007 they were harassing , said I had better get a lawyer and call them back this afternoon. They still refuse to tell me what name they are calling for. They claim to have a complaint about someone and have my Social Security number, my state, my phone number etc. I called this number and the man who answered said, "Investigations." I told him if he ever called my number again, I would turn them into the FBI. Hope this stops the harassment.

Got a letter from them. Claiming I had wrote bad checks which is false. The company is called Investiteck. Found nothing on them on the net. My name (spelled wrong) was on the letter. Not doubt they are bogus.