Received a message today from a person identifying himself as Billy Sampson, identifying the calling company as "Legal Resources"  He left my full name, entire social security number and date of birth in the message and threatened an immediate filing of a civil suit and summons pending to my address in my home town.  There was no disclosure that if I was not the intended recipient I should not listen to the message, etc.  There was no identification of the source of the debt or amount.

Extremely rude and threatening call about lawsuit, garnishing wages, freezing assets. I was not the person they were trying to reach!!!
Is it legal to threaten someone and leave the threat on voice mail without first finding out if the phone number they are calling is even the right person?

tried to call back same rude person is on phone . Can not get anyone else on phone

How do you know he is black?

very rude black man make rude and abusive comments on people who do not live

THIS 'DEBT SHOP' IS VIOLATING LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL COLLECTION LAWS.   THEY ARE MANDATED TO MAIL YOU NOTICE OF DEBT WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE INITIAL CALL TO YOU (they are not) THEY ARE MANDATED BY LAW TO PROVIDE A REAL BUSINESS ADDRESS FOR THEIR 'COMPANY' (they won't and refuse to give it) THEY ARE VIOLATING THE LAW BY THREATENING YOU WITH ANY CRIMINAL CHARGES... REPORT THEM IMMEDIATELY TO THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 1-877-3832-4357.  THEY ARE CURRENTLY UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATION. SAVE ALL RECORDINGS OR MESSAGES PLEASE.  

The topic of "bad check" collection calls have come up in some other threads (and the threads are usually full of shills).  The following has been posted in those threads,  but I will also share it here

Many of these "bad check" investigators are clearly engaged in a scam.   As several posters who have contacted law enforcement indicated have been told that the types of calls being discussed in this thread are a a scam.

There are also issues in each state regarding the statutes of limitations.  

Here is an opinion regarding this from a lawyer with 10+ years of experience
http://www.justanswer.com/law/76h8x-harrassed

Also, despite what shills have said on various threads, there have been court rullings indicate that these "check investigators" are covered by the FDCPA

Federal Trade Commission v. Check Investors, Inc.

Summarized here http://www.foxrothschild.com/newspubs/newspubsArticle.aspx?id=5402

Of specific interest to this thread is the following

"The FTC brought an action against Check Investors seeking to enjoin its abusive and unfair collection activities under the FDCPA and for restitution. Check Investors claimed it was not subject to the FDCPA because: 1) NSF checks were not ?debts;? 2) individuals that bounce checks are not ?consumers? but rather criminals and tortfeasors; and 3) Check Investors was not a ?debt collector,? but rather a ?creditor? because it owned the NSF checks and was seeking to collect on its own behalf, not on behalf of another. The lower court granted summary judgment on behalf of the FTC, and Check Investors appealed.

The Court of Appeals rejected all three of Check Investors' arguments. The Court reasoned that because a check evidences an obligation to pay for goods or services, it falls within the definition of a ?debt? under the FDCPA, even if the individual never intended to pay for the goods and services and knew the check was bad at the time it was written. The Court also held that an individual that writes a bad check is still a ?consumer? under the FDCPA even though the intentional issuance of a bad check is a crime in many states and is fraudulent. The FDCPA defines a ?consumer? as ?any natural person obligated ?to pay any debt.? The protections of the FDCPA do not distinguish between deserving and undeserving consumers."

Recently received a threatening voice mail regarding a supposed bad check from Jack Simpson at Graham Madison. He said that they were going to report me to the District Attorney and have me arrested.  The number they are now using is 888 315 7793. Called them back but just got a voice mail again. Sounds very suspicious to me as well.

Does anybody know the mailing address for Graham Madison?

Has anyone actually received written confirmation from Graham Madison regarding their claim?

888.315.7793 is the number that keeps calling me!

I have been receiving calls from this Graham Madison, leaving messages about they have a "warrant for my arrest" for a "worthless check".  I called back today and the man WAS VERY RUDE to me, said "we've already talk to u and you're being arrested" and HUNG UP ON ME! I called back saying "I'VE NEVER TALK TO U IN MY LIFE, CAN U TELL ME WHAT THIS IS ABOUT", he hung up AGAIN! I called back ab 3/4 times and he just kept saying...it's with the district attry office, when I said "what district, what r u talking about" he hung up AGAIN! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS IS ABOUT and I am quite scared, hoping someone hasn't used my identity, etc in writing bad checks and I have no idea of where to call or how to find out about this matter BECAUSE THEY KEEP HANGING UP ON me! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO NEXT!

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/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action

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
************
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.

Got a call from David Conway at Graham Madison at 888-315-7793 stating same thing....Bad check with my SS# from state of Iowa and threatening to have me arrested if i did not pay.  Could not get much info from the caller as he hung up very quickly after told i never lived in Iowa.

Just called the police AND Ye
s Guys This is a SCAM!!!!

I had the same calls yesterday, the people who picked up wanted to settle my 217 dollar bad check from 2005 which is shy of 8 years ago, the said with fees it will be upwards to 1200 but they will settle for 217.40. Meanwhile Statute of limitations is 7, and only 4 for checks.  Called back to speak to someone to get more documents the sounds in the back were kids crying, playing and sounded like dinner being made.  What company doesn't have a address???? And it's 2013 who doesn't have a website?


So I challenge the whole staff of GRAHM MADISON RECOVERY to produce actual facts.

My lawyer, local DA's office, USDA's office, local PD and Federal Branches have been notified.     Guess they should use google a bit more before the call and threaten people, it's a shame they didn't know that I know so many people can deal with this.

nice reply and questions.  sounds like you work there.  Come get me, won't be the first, and won't be the last a warrant will be out in my name.

Got a call from my husband's EX-Mother in law, said Ed Dodd was looking for me and a warrant would be issued if I didn't call him ASAP...Hum sounded fishy right from the get go..1 my phone number is on my checks so if i had done this with I knew i hadn't why not call the number on the check...2 really calling my husbands ex in-laws to get a hold of me(we have been married for over 10 years) , so I did some digging online and found this site Thank all of you I am reporting them 1st thing in the morning and you all saved me some hassel

I received a call from 888-315-7793 - Lisa Johnson Ext 225. They threatened to have a warrant issued for my arrest if I didn't pay them for a check almost 8 years ago that I am sure I paid. She and her boss, Edward Dodd, both refused to send me any information in the mail. They said they didn't have to do that. They hung up on me when I told them I was going to the county prosecutor. I'm sure the statute of limitations was over a long time ago if I didn't take care of it. I talked to the company the check was written to and they said they sell them shortly after they are reported.

They must all have the same last name because the person I spoke to this morning was also a Johnson. She was on the defensive from the word hello, and told me that my daughter was a "criminal" and this was none of my business. However she called all 3 of my phones and called other people not related to my daughter and left threats of arrest on their phones.This is not my business? Would not send me any info because she says she does not have to, (a lie, because by law they do), was very rude, told me to get off of her phone and then she hung up! What a B****

Neither does the President..LOL!

Do you have anything to add except posting under absurd handle as that.Feds don't post,lol.

this is a total scam, illegal debt sweat shop....DO NOT PAY THEM ANYTHING..>.operating illegally calling all states, not licensed, not registered,  DO NOT PAY T HEM.>.>report all calls to the FTC or your local Attorney General.....they are making false statements, they are guilty of extortion and larceny for getting consumers to pay under threat.  they will be prosecuted for this.

They just called me and told me I was going to jail I said for what they saud I bad check in pitsfield ny in 2005 I said thats funny it was pitsfield ma and I took care of it he said good youe going to jail and hung up on me

These people seem to be very busy.  I received a call today from 1888-3157-793 saying that my husband had written a bad check in 2005. Little did they know that my husband "never" writes checks.  I write them all and we have never had a check returned for insufficient funds.  When I began asking questions she got very rude and would not let me speak.  She kept threatening (screaming) that a warrant was going to be issued for my husband's arrest if we did not pay (more than $400).  When I told her that she was not intimidating me because we were honest and I knew there was some type of mistake, she said that there was no mistake, that my husband had committed fraud and she had the check in front of her. Then I said that I was not going to make any payment unless I had the opportunity to verify all the information and she hung up.  
I have reported the incident to the police department and they will open up   case.  I asked if I should call the District Attorney's office but they told me that the case they are opening up will take care of it.  

DO NOT PAY THEM...COMPLETELY ILLEGAL DEBT SWEAT SHOP...REPORT ALL CALLS TO THE FTC (federal trade commission) IMMEDIATELY...DO NOT PAY THEM.... THEY ARE MAKING FALSE THREATS, THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO YOU...THEY ARE CURRENTLY UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION. SAVE ALL RECORDINGS AND MESSAGES WHERE LEGAL TO DO SO.  

I recieved a call from a "Roman Matthews" saying I wrote a bad check back in 2005 and there is a warrant out for my arrest. I asked what merchant, and asked for details and he hung up, was crazy rude. I am reporting him and this SCAM to the police. I will also contact the DA.

THESE people found my GRANDMOTHER and Aunt in FL. I've lived in NY my whole life and have tons of family here. Through skip trace, i rcvd a message from my aunt telling me she thinks this is identity theft. I call the # 888 315 7793 ext 718 to speak with an Edward. Left a message to contact me . awful. never had a bad check i didn't take care of and am in constint contact with anyone i owe a debt to

Call was rude & threating, wasn't even for anyone in my household, they threatened to have me arrested? I called the local police department and filed a complaint with the NY State Attorney Generals Office as well as reported the number to the National No Call List. The number they called me from was 888-315-7793 ext 240.

Got a call from this collection agency about my sister.  It stated that she opened an account with her SS number and wrote a fruadulant check off the account.  When I said I had not spoken to her in 10 years they said "congratulations" and hung up on me.  I called back and got a different person but the other person was yelling in the background.  I was put on hold and when they came back on the line they stated they only wanted to reach my sister and since I did not speak with her they no longer needed to speak with me.  The phone call definately came from this company but a different number.  The number was 888-315-7793.

They are also using 888-315-7795. They called me today, I know I haven't written bad checks so I told them to go ahead and get a warrant and hung up. Then they called my grandparents, my brother, my mom, my ex's sister, and my ex's mom. This is harrassment and total BS. If it were legitimate they would send a certified letter or have you served with papers, not bully your family and try to scare you by threatening to have you arrested.

Hee is some info for you reading pleasure :
How Debtors Are Protected

Both the State Act and FDCPA prohibit debt collectors from engaging in certain practices, and give debtors some protection during the debt collection process. In general, both statutes:

Require debt collectors to clearly identify themselves and the nature of any debt at issue in their communication with consumers
Prohibit a broad range of actions by debt collectors
Establish a consumer's rights to limit the type, frequency and location of a debt collector's contacts with the consumer
Establish consumer remedies, including statutory damages, if debt collectors violate the requirements and prohibitions of either Act
What Debt Collectors Must Do

The debt collector must disclose in any written or telephone communication to the consumer:

Its identity and business address
The name of the person making the telephone call
The identity of the person or company for whom the debt collector is attempting to collect the debt.
In addition, under FDCPA, debt collectors must follow up an initial phone contact with a written communication within 5 days containing the following information:

The amount of the debt
The identity of the person or company for whom the debt collector is attempting to collect the claimed debt
A statement that the consumer may make a written request within 30 days that the debt collector identify the original creditor, if different from the current creditor (this provision is intended to identify the original source of the debt if it has been sold or assigned to a collection agency)
A statement that the consumer may notify the debt collector in writing within 30 days that he or she is disputing the debt, and that the debt collector must furnish the consumer with documents verifying the disputed debt or a copy of any judgment against the consumer
A statement that if the consumer does not notify the debt collector within 30 days that she or he disputes any or all the claimed debt, the debt collector will assume that the debt is valid.
What Debt Collectors Cannot Do

A wide range of collection activities is specifically prohibited. Generally these prohibited activities fall into two categories: actions designed to intimidate, harass or annoy consumer debtors; and actions that are unfair, misleading or deceptive.

The use of obscene or abusive language and threats of violence is prohibited. The FDCPA also forbids any threat of criminal action or harm to the consumer's person, property, or reputation. Debt collectors have even been held liable for the use of ethnic slurs, curse words, insults such as "liar," "deadbeat" and "crook," and for threatening to "ruin" credit ratings.
Debt collectors are prohibited from contacting consumer-debtors at unusual times, or times known to be inconvenient to the consumer. The FDCPA actually goes as far as specifying that calls placed before 8:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. (in the consumer's time zone) are generally improper. If a debt collector knows, or has reason to believe, that odd hours are not inconvenient for the consumer (such as if the consumer works at night), then the consumer may be contacted at other times.
Debt collectors may not telephone the consumer-debtor repeatedly or engage the consumer-debtor in endless telephone conversation.
Both the State Act and FDCPA state that debt collectors may not contact consumer-debtors at their places of employment under certain circumstances:
Under the State Act, a debt collector may not call a consumer-debtor at his or her place of employment if the debtor informs the debt collector that he or she does not wish to be contacted there.
Under the State Act, even if the debt collector is not told to refrain from calling at a place of employment, the debt collect may, at most, place one telephone call per month to the debtor's place of employment.
In making a call to a place of employment, the debt collector may not inform the employer of the reason for the call unless asked by the employer.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector may not call the consumer-debtor at work if it is known that the employer prohibits the employee from receiving such communications. In effect, this provision allows a consumer-debtor to inform a debt collector that his or her employer forbids incoming personal calls and requires the debt collector to respect such a notice.
Note: One narrow exception to this prohibition exists. A debt collector who has been unable to locate a consumer-debtor may send one letter to the consumer-debtor's last known place of employment.
A debt collector may not communicate with anyone other than the consumer-debtor, his or her spouse or the parents or guardians of a debtor who is a minor, about the debt unless the debtor expressly agrees to permit the "third party" contacts. The State Act further limits contacts with spouses, parents, and guardians to one instance for the sole purpose of locating the debtor when the debt collector has been unable to locate the debtor for at least 30 days.
A debt collector is prohibited from continuing to write or call a consumer-debtor once informed that the consumer is represented by an attorney or other representative (such as a credit counselor).
Debt collectors are prohibited from publishing the names of debtors in any medium (such as a newspaper or magazine). They may not advertise the sale of debts (to so-called "factors") in order to embarrass or humiliate debtors through public exposure.
Prohibited Tactics

A number of misleading or deceptive tactics by debt collectors are expressly prohibited. Debt collector may not mislead debtors about who they are, may not mislead debtors about the debts, may not mislead about what actions they will be taking, or make any false representations in order to obtain information.

Debt collectors may not misrepresent who they are or misrepresent documents by:
Using false names
Pretending to be an attorney, state, local or federal official, law enforcement or court officer
Using forms or documents designed to look like "official" court or government documents if they are not
Pretending to be or affiliated with a credit reporting agency
Falsely implying that documents are not legal process forms or do not require any action or response by the consumer when they do
Suggesting that a debt has been turned over to an "innocent third party" when in fact the debt has been transferred to a collection agency
Debt collectors may not make misrepresentation about the debt by:
Misrepresenting the size or status of the claimed debt, or falsely characterizing the status of any legal proceedings involving the debtor
Stating or implying that attorney's fees or costs will be added to the debt unless such charges are specifically allowed by contract, agreement, or court order (most consumer credit agreements, such as credit card contracts, contain a provision obligating the consumer to pay collection costs and fees)
Implying that a transfer or sale of the debt will cause the consumer-debtor to lose the ability to defend him- or her-self about the non-payment of the debt, or will be subject to some unlawful debt collection practice
Communicating, or threatening to communicate, false credit information to another person or creditor, including failing to communicate that a particular debt is disputed.
Debt collectors may not mislead about what action they might take by:
Making unfounded threats of criminal charges against the debtor
Falsely implying that the debtor will be arrested or imprisoned, or that his or her wages will be garnished or property attached unless those actions are legal and the debt collector intends to take that action (the debt collector must disclose that a court order is required for any of these actions)
Threatening to take any action which the debt collector either does not have the legal right to take, or does not ordinarily take (such as unfounded threats of litigation)
Stating or implying that failure to pay a debt will result in the debt being turned over to collection agency who would use harsh, vindictive, or abusive tactics.
Debt collectors may not use false representations to collect a debt or to get information by:
Using false pretenses to either induce the debtor to contact the debt collector or make payment, or to obtain information about the consumer from third parties
Threatening the consumer with arrest or seizure of property or wages, without disclosing that court orders may be required for any such action.
In addition, FDCPA specifically lists a number of tactics regarding the collection of money from consumers by deb