In March 2012, I answered an advertisement in a local newspaper for loans offered to individuals with "not so good credit".  In my quest to resolve a financial issue, I allowed myself to be talked into sending money by Western Union to an address in Canada in order to get the loan, which was to be $5000.00.  In order to process the loan, the representative told me they must have a certain amount put down as a deposit.  With all, I send them 725.00 by Western Union.  The moment they received the money, they informed me the loaner has decided not allow me to borrow any money due to my credit rating.  It turned out to be a scam.  I reported it to my local police department, the office of the attorney general, and also spoke with a member of the FBI.  I called the newspaper which housed the ad and informed them that these "promised" loans were not valid and I had been cheated out of my money.  Shortly afterwards, I noticed a $300.00 deposit into my checking account.  I did not know what to think, but I figured it must be the loan company attempting to return some of my money back as I had threatened to contact the authorities if they did not refund.  I was advised to close my checking account for which the loan company had it's information.   Two months later, I decided to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy to try to pay off all my debts, which included some payday loans.  It was discovered that a company called HydraFund had issued the $300.00 into my checking account.  They were listed in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy and could have filed a claim to receive the money they send to my account.  I never signed for this loan and did not have any idea why they would send it to me.  As I mentioned before, I thought it was the scam loan company trying to return some of the money I had sent by Western Union.  I have received at least two calls from collection agencies regarding HydraFund - the last call being in February 2012.  I provided the caller with the Chapter 13 case number and the number for the attorney who filed the case.  Today, I received a voice mail using the last four digits of my social security number, my complete name, asking me to call the 877-842-9730 because they intend to serve me with a summons to appear in court but did not issue a reason.  I would be served at home or at work.  I called the 877 number and was placed on hold while the representative looked up the "case" number.  She returned to the phone and stated I was being charged with fraud because the loan was issued to my account and then the checking account was closed.  I explained the checking account was closed because I had been a victim of fraud and was advised to close it immediately.  I also informed her that HydraFund had received notification of the filing of a Chapter 13 case to repay all my debts and should have filed a claim.  The representative claimed her "client" had never received notification about the bankruptcy.  I told her that I have proof they were notified and I did not attempt to defraud anyone.  Who ever heard of a payday loan company that sends monies into a checking account without obtaining permission and/or signature for the person they are loaning the money?  As I mentioned before, I had no idea it was a payday loan, I thought it was the loan company whom I had given a down payment for a promised $5000.00 loan.  I am now aware to never send any money to any loan company in order to obtain a loan.  Additionally, I think it is highly unethical for LSU Collections to contact people and threaten to place criminal charges against them.  I am glad I was able to obtain this information on-line.  I intend to contact the state attorney general and other agencies to report these scam artists.  

Also, you can tell this is a scam because if you're going to be served with papers for court, they just serve you!! No one calls you first and tells you that you're going to be served.

For Extortion Scam Operations,  File reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,CFB,FTC & FCC..

http://www.nw3c.org/
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
http://www.fraud.org/

Also read up on the laws and your rights:

http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
See Residents post here also:
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-34af6a034ba34b6/unending-collection-calls
Templates of Letters:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-319-242-7350

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
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

And see:

http://800notes.com/forum/ta-944ec1426a8bcbb/ ... service-attacks
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http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/ ... r-phones/ndF4c/
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http://www.net-security.org/article.php?id=1828
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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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http://www.fdcpa.me/fake-process-server-injunction/
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http://800notes.com/forum/ta-9413b3202bc8b6c/ ... net%27s-tactics

Received another call today by a man named mike who was a "supervisor" I told him I investigated lsu and ask that they wouldn't call again,  a few minutes later he called back saying he was sending 2 people to my work to serve me! Funny I'm a carpenter and he was sending them to a local hospital, I didn't realize I was a doctor!!!!!!  JACK A***S

These bottom-feeders go beyond absurd in their quest to obtain money from unsuspecting people. Funny, they call their intended victims "criminals" (among other choice names)...the pot calling the kettle black, IMO.

The "address" provided on their website (1646 Hwy 160 W sutie 8150, Fort Mill SC 29708****their typo on Suite-lol) comes back to a vacant lot. Shady, sketchy, fakes! MICHAEL CALDWELL, JR. shows as the registered agent per SC Sec of State website. Also give address of 1974 Carolina Place #200 G/H Fort Mill, SC 29708

Debt is civil, not criminal, so there are no "2 class c felonies".  As well, if your husband had committed even one felony, he'd have had a visit from the cops to question and/or arrest him - he wouldn't get a vague phone call.  This is a scam attempt - don't call them back, don't answer when they call, and please do report them to the FTC, FBI and your state's Attorney General.  You may also wish to give your local police department a heads up too.  If the calls are bothersome, you may want to block the number, either using the "number block" feature on your phone (if it has this feature), or by investing in a call blocker.  Google "call blockers" - you can get a good one for $60 or less.

www.ftc.gov
www.fbi.gov
www.naag.org - you can find your state AG here.

My husband was called at work and they spoke with his boss from 8776741636 and said 2 class c felonies and they tried to serve him at home and are now going to serve him at work. Lady said she was the legal dept was willing to take a settlement.  Mrs Williams.  Sounds fishy

I too have been receiving calls from lsu the past few days, I greatly appreciate the posts that ya'll have left I would have fallen for this scam if it wasn't for this site. I thank ya'll very much!!

This is the website for LSU Legal Services, LSU Law Firm, LSU Legal or whatever name they provided when they called.

http://www.lbrgroup.info

Under "who we are" the toll free number is somehow missing??

I got a call from an unknown number, from Shannon Reid, telling me to call 877-680-8834 regarding my ex husband of almost 20 years.  Gave me a case file and everything.  I immediately googled, found this thread, and promptly reported them here: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/Complaint/#debt-collection

You should all do the same!!

That's who I got Shannon Reed and Aiden Matthews.  When you look up that Augusta , Georgia address,  it's a mall. Kroger, Starbucks and some liquor store comes up. I told Shannon I would visit the office in Augusta and pay with a money order, she said she didn't know if they would take that form of payment bc they only accept debit or credit. She also said that was their corporate office and they have criminals in and out all the time. Lol what a joke

I have been getting these same cqlls for the past 3 days out the blue. Same story, claiming I owe a company names bayside, which I have never heard of tried looking up bayside and nothing comes up. Same for LSU legal services unit.I asked for an address and she just said they are in Fl but have offices all over. She couldn't provide me with information because they deal with criminal cases too. Funny how you are a mediation firm with no address. Have been called by Shannon Reed, Mike Cooper and Renee Curtis. THIS IS A SCAM!!!!!

I received a call from 844-811-1134. They left a message and when I called back, they wanted me to verify my social security number. I told them I wasn't comfortable because I didn't know who they were. The chick got mad, said good luck and hung up. I called back, talked to someone else,  still didn't give my social, they told me they were collecting a debt for "bayside". They couldn't tell me what bayside was but if I didn't pay they were gonna serve me with papers. I told them do whatever you have to do. They kept claiming they had been trying to reach me, but I've never received any notifications from them, by phone or mail.  When they answer the phone, they identify themselves as "Legal". Wtf? SCAM And the address they gave is 2801 Washington road,  Augusta, Georgia 30909. Looked it up,  didn't find anything. Also looked them up on Better Business Bureau website; NOTHING. Please be careful guys. Scam, scam, scam

I don't want anyone to know who I'm I just became the latest victim in this matter my family been harassed by the same number for week since I'm on probation I though it was something to do with that but when I call it was a company name lsu in it was a 844 number they Said I had two counts of felony which I do right now I thought they were talking about two more charges of fraud I never did fraud and they said it was on my social security what really no don't think so

I received a similar call from a restricted number along with a voicemail from a gentleman by the name of Rich Lowry. He claimed to be the department supervisor for the processing and summons division in my state and stated that the call was regarding two forms of financial fraud that were pending to be filed against me. He stated that if I did not comply and return the call, there would be legal proceedings filed against me out of my state. He provided a case number and the following call back number 844-577-4497. The same voicemail was left for several members of my family (even those in other states) and my employer.

When I called back it was directed to a company called LSU. A gentleman answered saying "Thank you for calling the Legal Dept.? I asked which legal department he was referring to and he claimed to be calling from my state of residence. I then requested that he provide me with a local telephone number for the division of the state but he claimed there was no local telephone number. This set off a red flag to me. He then asked that I provide my social security number so that he could verify my information but I did not feel comfortable providing my personal information over the telephone. I requested that he provide me with the information in writing so that I can verify any such claims or fraud. He stated that a claim regarding check fraud would be filed against me and a summons would be issued to my home. I asked that he provide me with an address so that I could provide to my attorney and he provided the following address (PO Box 308, Hartford, CT 06103) ? which is completely different from the state that I reside in. I attempted to look up this company, address and telephone number on the Better Business Bureau?s site and came up with nothing. I?m currently waiting for the claim/summons but this appears to be a scam. Don?t be fooled.

The same people called my fiance's family.  threatening legal action against him.  the phone number was 1 844 270 0407. They called from a restricted number, but they gave a number to call back.  The guys name was Richard Lowry

They called using a restricted number and told me to call back to 855-746-0241. They called EVERYONE in my family threatening them with legal action if I didn't pay. This is not legal, obviously. They try to scare people into paying for check fraud. I have my police report, credit report and my CHEX Systems report. There is ABSOLUTELY NO check fraud on my social security number. They prey on people with bad debt, scaring and harassing them into paying debts they cannot legally collect on. Report them.

ATTENTION THIS IS A SCAM COMPANY...PLEASE CLICK ON THIS ARTICLE

http://consumer-law.lawyers.com/consumer-frau ... collectors.html

Received call stating I had two felony warrants out in my name.  Having a father with Private Investigators and other legal connections these people are just a scam artists.  Tis the season to be SCAMMED!!!  Becareful people its that time of year that the scum of the earth try to steal money from the innocent!

This "April Connor" called my neighbor looking for me, telling him that he co-signed on something for me. So I called her back. First she tried to tell me that there was a misdemeanor out for my arrest for bouncing a check back in 2011. Uh, don't you think my bank would have let me know this by now? Then she wanted my permission to record me. I said HELL NO. Then she was trying to say that all the information was being sent to "a court in my local area." I said, send away, I'll pay $1 a year if I owe anything. By law, you have to send me the information in the mail. "No I don't." I said well then, how much do I supposedly owe? "Well I don't have that information. I'm a paralegal."
Uh, let's just say April won't be calling me or my neighbor again. I'm not sure sure her ears will be finished ringing anytime soon.
The number is 877-324-3637 and they call themselves "Legal Services Unit."

Received a call from a "state locator office" stating they have been requested by Len Martin Litigation (no spelling given so that may be off)  at 877-842-9730 to have me formally served at my place of employment.  They even stated that I have been served on the message. Anyways, by law I am supposed to be served in person. When I had previously tried to call the 877# all it says is "Thank you for calling the Legal Dept" ok if it was a law office - all of it should be "Legal".  Not sure what this is about, probably a debt and they're getting creative. They also left me a case# and when doing an online search through the California court system - the case number was not found and in doing a search under my name also nothing found.  

received a message to call this number. Dept of lsu mediation... april connor. SCAM collection agency trying to scare me by saying if I miss a court date then the proper authorities will be notified. Said that they tried to deliver documents to my home address... yah right. SCAM SCAM SCAM!