Receiver a call from Brad Nelson with a foreign accent calling from the "legal department".  Said I needed to call back immediately and not ignore the situation or things will get much worse.  Knew right away it was a scam as I had received a call about a month earlier from a different number but same voice and mispronounced my name the exact same way.  That time he was calling from the state investigator's office about a lawsuit against my social security number.  It really bugs me that these people are making money off this and no one seems to be able to do anything about it.  Please people, be informed, if something doesn't seem right, check it out!  Put the name, phone number, or company on a search on the internet with the word scam and see what comes up.  As long as these people keep making money they won't stop.

This is a criminal extortion ring operating out of India. ABC News released an investigative report on it in June. The FTC has indicted one of its ringleaders for criminal fraud:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... 16512428&page=1

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/08/bgm.shtm

I just received a Voicemail from a male ( cannot act on the accent); he was speaking really fast and wanted me to call back as soon as possible. It was urgent, it was regarding January 14, 2012. So I called back and a male name Joseph Gardner answered and ask for my file and case number. Didn't have one. Once I stated that I didn't have one. He immediately knew my name, birthdate, and social security. He told me he is from the California District Attorney office. I asked which one? He couldn't answer me. So I asked what is this regards to. United Cash Advance on January 14, 2012. I told him I never took a loan out. He got upset and told me to shut up. So I told him for you to be a District Attorney you do not tell a client to shut up. Lol. He got mad and stated that they will have NCIS and FBI involve if I don't pay this loan back. I stated how much was the loan he stated $510.00. I said okay how much was given to me on January 14, 2012 he told me $600.00... I basically told him he was full of it because that doesn't sound right. Better Luck next time. He stated he called my old job. I told him that is impossible because they don't receive collect phone calls. So he started cussing at me and hung up. I have contact the FBI, and my old job in regards of this matter.

Keeps calling the hospital floor we work on, disrupting patient care.

Keeps calling my cell and my place of employment. I ignore the calls because they have an foreign accent with an American name which makes think b***s***.  Also pretending to be an officer of the law is against the law.  Then at the end of the message they say have a good day and god bless.  I have filed bankruptcy because of the current housing situation and I'm divorced.  These peolple need to get a life and stop buying discharged debts.  We all have money problems and don't need them to get a cent.  My co-workers had some fun with him and he got upset, started the threaten them.  They turned it around and called them back asking of for me which was funny.  It is a total scam and they keep ghosting their numbers from all over the united states.

Same thing happen to me as well. Telling me to ask for Micheal Johnson. I also had the same people call from another number 1-888-481-1547 told me to ask for Martin Claim, I can tell they are the same person or people cause the messages left are exactly the same just different numbers. Different names and when I call they are always changing their voices but I know its them. At first I was scared cause I thought they knew of an loan that I opened up online. But then when they started telling me that I'm not paying then I knew right away that it was a lie as I have been paying. And because I check my account all the time I knew for a fact I had no money deposited in my bank account. After telling them this they stated that it was a prepaid credit card. They also couldn't give me names numbers amounts just threatening me about being arrested losing my job etc. I took matters into my own hands and started harassing them. I kept calling and demanding information,  The Martin Claim directed me to an Austin white because he was the manger there I went on and on. calling and calling for infor. Austin white finally told me that all charges was dropped on me and I would no longer receive calls. I asked for paperwork of this and he hung up. No one called for 3 weeks until this morning. Now same related matter as the first but different name and number. I've made a report with FTC, BBB in my area, as well as leaving my story here and put an alert on my credit report and had my celluar carrier block these numbers.

keeps calling me telling me i have an outstanding loan and every time i ask for any proof of loan tell me they will send it to me after i make a payment they told me all my personal information and wanted me to fax them statement that i will pay till payment paid in full ( no amount mentioned )and also wanted me to fax a front and back copy of my drivers license along with signed statement.  Also threatened something about my work and keeps calling my work place .  called me 16 times in 10 min. time  when called back exact number someone said hello twice in different accents then hung up on me.While they were talking i keep telling them to slow down cause i could not understand every thing they were saying.

They are also calling me at work and on my cell phone stating if they don't hear from me or my attorney the only thing they can do is wish me good luck. What professional company says that?
When they call me at work they advise me to call them back at : 855-846-4571

This company called my house, then when I didn't call them in time they called my job over and over again. Claimed they where from Legal Cash Advance Dept. That I received a loan and stole their money. I never received no loan. They said they would have police come and lock me up at my job. I told them don't call my job no more I'm very busy and don't have time for this at work. I work in a very busy office and don't have time for people telling me what I received and what I didn't.  If I have to go ghetto on them I will. But it most likely ain't going to do much. I just want the calls to stop.

Either way they are f****ng unibombers that in no way shape or form f****ng belong here scaming americans hard earned money. The bi*** sounded like pocahontis with peanut butter stuck to the roof of her mouth . if you like them enough to take up for them why dont you send them some money. What an ignorant person!

This number was harassing me for a while. They got my information from an online loan I applied for and was denied. They claimed I hit and killed someone with my car and were suing me for 20,000. I don't drive. The license number they had was for my State ID card. When I explained this to the man he asked why I was driving around without a license. Again I explained I wasn't. He threatened to have me arrested unless I had my lawyer call him, or that I could resolve the situation by paying his company a fee. THIS IS A SCAM. I can't stress it enough people. If there is ever a warrant for your arrest they will send you a summons in the mail, not by phone.

They called me again a few days later claiming I had taken out a bunch of loans and never paid them back. The company name kept changing from Payday to US Cash Advance. I told them I was never approved for a loan and had bank statements to prove it, but they just got really nasty and threatened to take me to court. Every time it was an Indian man with a thick accent going by names such as Alex Watson and John Smith. He would leave voice-mails demanding my attorney call him and 'wishing me well as the financial obligation unfolds'.

Now, I called the police in my town and an officer called back this number pretending to be me. She asked a lot of questions and eventually the man got angry and told her to 'open your ears and pay attention' because there was a warrant (from the police in my town) out for my arrest unless I paid him 500. She laughed and revealed herself as an officer and he hung up. After that she called back a few times from several different numbers and they sent her to an answering machine.
This is very important, THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. If you've been contacted by them you need to call one of the credit bureaus and have a fraud alert put up right away. It amazes me, the extent these guys will go to to convince people to pay them. Hopefully if enough people are warned about this and don't get pulled in by the scam, they'll be shut down for good.

This number was harassing me for a while. They got my information from an online loan i applied for and was denied. They claimed I hit and killed someone with my car and were suing me for 20,000. I don't drive. The license number they had was for my State ID card. When I explained this to the man he asked why I was driving around without a license. Again i explained I wasn't. He threatened to have me arrested unless I had my lawyer called him, or that I could resolve the situation by paying his company a fee. THIS IS A SCAM. I can't stress it enough people. If there is ever a warrant for your arrest it will come in the mail, not by phone.
They called me again a few days later claiming I had taken out a bunch of loans and never paid them back. The company name kept changing from Payday to US Cash Advance. I told them I was never approved for a loan and had bank statements to prove it, but they just got really nasty and threatened to take me to court. Every time it was an Indian man with a thick accent going by names such as Alex Watson and John Smith. He would leave voice-mails demanding my attorney call him and 'wishing me well as the financial obligation unfolds'.

Now, I called the police in my town and an officer called back this number pretending to be me. She asked a lot of questions and eventually the man got angry and told her to 'open your ears and pay attention' because there was a warrant (from the police in my town) out for my arrest unless I paid him 500. She laughed and revealed herself as an officer and he hung up. After that she called back a few times from several different numbers and they sent her to an answering machine.
This is very important, THESE PEOPLE HAVE YOUR INFORMATION. If you've been contacted by them you need to call one of the credit bureaus and have a fraud alert put up right away. It amazes me, the extent these guys will go to to convince people to pay them. Hopefully if enough people are warned about this and don't get pulled in by the scam, they'll be shut down for good.

Hello,

Someone with a strong Indian accent called one of my employees at from 888-481-1547 and attempted to intimidate her into paying them $2000.00 for a cash advance loan she had borrowed.  She has never borrowed money from anyone working for any cash advance company and she told them that.  They then threatened to make things bad for her and to have her arrested for failure to pay.

I sent an email stating that I had contacted the authorities. If you receive these calls, HANG UP and dial your police department. File a report. Then file a report online with the FTC. It may also be worth filing a report with the FBI for fraud as well.

Basically file any reports you can. If you gave you bank info, close the account and open a new one (a pain I know). If they know your credit card number, cancel it and report it as stolen. DO NOT LET THEM HAVE YOUR MONEY AND IF IT'S TOO LATE...GOOD LUCK TO YOU. I'm going through the same thing right now.

So I got jipped. I was taking a nap as I worked all night and got a call from this number on both my cell and home line. Saying that I should call immediately or deal with the matter. They said that they were from the local district court in connection with the local sheriff's department and said they would have me arrested if I didn't pay this debt immediately.

Said I owed a settlement of $508 on a payday loan I never got. I will say that I attempted to get a payday loan, but I never did receive one because of my credit history. I asked what creditor and he said USAcreditor which said covers all the creditors in the United States. I was having a hard time figuring out what he was saying because of his accent.

I later ended up giving him my debit card number which now I need to sort out before he tries to take $660 out of my bank account on the 24th for a loan I never took out, there is going to be hell. After the initial call where he asked me to write up this letter and send a picture from my cell phone of the letter and a picture of my driver's license and the debit card I used. This was the letter he told me to write up (not type up, no other legalities, lined paper was fine)

Attn: Joseph Garner
Case number:

I, my name, from the State of Michigan with the SSN# (my last 4 digits of ssn), agree to authorize the company to charge my visa debit card ending with (last 4 digits of card number) for the amount of $660.00 for the entire amount on August 24, 2012 at 3pm EST against my due payments.

I will not dispute this matter in present or in future.

Card#
Expiration date:
Validation number from back of card:
Contact phone #:

My signature
Printed name

He first off made a big deal about the eastern standard time thing. If it was someone locally, that would just be a given. He also made a HUGE deal about the "I will not dispute this matter in present or in future.

I didn't send the emails after I did some digging and got a call from this number over 14 times. I also got a call from him at the number (888) 360-6634. When I picked it up and said it wasn't the same number nor the ones he gave me, I hung up. He called back again and has from a restricted number. I picked THAT one up and told him I had called the district court's office (which I had) and was told that that number had no connection with their office, that the case number was given was false (had more numbers than what a normal one has) and that it was fraudulent. As I waited, I got a call back from the court saying that this is part of an ongoing investigation over these companies. I didn't stop receiving calls until an hour later. I'll keep you updated if they come back.

He also called from a "4400" so yeah....He also called my work and yelled at them. His last message to me said something along the lines of "because you tried being smart with me, we will send the police"

I'm guessing they got my SSN, phone number, address off of a payday loan application I sent in when I was in a bind. I never received any of those loans ever...the only ones I have are school loans and that's not what he is saying I owe.

So, watch out for this.

Phantom Debt Collectors From India Harass Americans, Demand Money

By BRIAN ROSS (@brianross) , CINDY GALLI and MATTHEW MOSK (@mattmosk)
June 7, 2012

Hundreds of thousands of cash-strapped Americans have been targeted by abusive debt collectors operating out of overseas call centers suspected of links to organized crime in India, law enforcement officials told ABC News.

The calls are part of a massive scam, one that appears to target struggling Americans -- especially those who have gone online to apply for payday loans. Armed with personal information from those pilfered applications, the threatening callers, who claim to be debt collectors poised to initiate legal action, have managed to pry loose millions of dollars from their victims -- even when the victims never owed money in the first place.

"This is what we call a phantom debt collection scam," said Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission. "It's a very pernicious and innovative new fraud."

Working through call centers in India, the commission estimates that the criminals have dialed at least 2.5 million calls, persuading already cash-strapped victims to send them more than $5 million. Some have reported receiving dozens of calls per hour. They are victims like Cindy Gervais, of New Orleans, who went online for a quick loan when her husband's car was hit by a driver who didn't have insurance.

Even though she paid the loan off, the so-called "phantom" debt collectors with Indian accents began calling to say she still owed money.

He more or less told me that if I didn't pay, they were going to have someone on my doorstep to arrest me," she told ABC News. "And that they were going to contact my place of business, and tell them what kind of person I am."

At first, she said she resisted. Then the calls became more frequent, and started to ring on her cell phone, and at the grocery distribution company where she had worked for 27 years.

"I was more or less was in panic mode because he told me there would be someone before noon at my place of business to arrest me and take me to jail," she said tearfully. "So I agreed to pay him."

After receiving scores of complaints, investigators with the FTC said they began tracking the calls, and following the payments. They alleged the payments led them to a California company run by an Indian-American named Kirit Patel, and that such scams would not be possible without American front men.

"I would say that all roads of this scam, or many of the roads of this scam, lead back to Mr. Patel," said the FTC's Leibowitz.

ABC News tracked Patel for weeks, from the suburbs of San Francisco to Austin, Texas.

Patel refused to talk. But his lawyer, Mark Ellis, said he believes it is far too early to pass judgment on his client. Ellis, a Sacramento-based attorney, told ABC News that Patel was hired for a nominal fee to set up an American shell company, and had no idea what the call centers in India were doing.

"I can tell you, he was as snookered by the people in India as anybody," Ellis said. "He's a 69-year-old man who is nearing his retirement who thought all he had to do was set up some corporations and everything was on the up and up. He's completely dismayed that he has become the lightning rod of this entire problem."

A close friend of Patel's also defended him in a brief interview at his home, saying Patel was not trying to defraud anyone -- he was just an unwitting, bit player in a larger scheme.

"If Mr. Patel was just a cog in the wheel he seems to have been a pretty big cog," Leibowitz said. "It is clear that Patel was integrally involved with this scam."

Leibowitz points to thousands of pages of financial and phone records gathered by the FTC and filed as part of a civil case brought against him in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento last month. When FTC lawyers sought to freeze his assets and prevent his business from continuing to operate, Patel responded by invoking his rights against self-incrimination. His lawyer told ABC News he has had to be careful in how he responds to the allegations in civil court "because there is a potential criminal action," but that Patel maintains the allegations against him are false.

Federal investigators said the phantom debt collection operation that allegedly benefitted from Patel's assistance was one of several that all trace back to the same small town in Western India called Ahmedabad. Callers use technology to make it appear that the calls originate inside the U.S. Victims provided ABC News with recordings of dozens of the calls, and many of the thickly accented callers appear to be reading off a script.

"Subpoenas have been readied, and Monday morning you're going to be picked up from your home," one caller says on a victim's voicemail. "And you have children. Don't worry about your children. We have a childcare department to take care of the children."

"You will be behind bars for six months," said another caller. "And once you go behind bars, you will lose your job. Once you are behind the bars, you won't get a single drop of water."

William Peerce Howard, a Tampa attorney who represents victims of harassment from debt collectors, said it takes an especially twisted criminal to use threats and coercion to pry money from someone who is already struggling financially

"These guys really are the most visible villains in America today," he said. "They make a living scaring people."

Mark Merola, of Florida, said he just panicked when the caller told him he might be arrested at the deli where he works in a Florida retirement community.

"I was nervous. I didn't want to embarrass myself, my family," he said. He used his debit card to pay the collector $576.

Afterwards, he says he realized "how stupid I was."

"It just happened so fast," he said. "I got scared."

Leibowitz said he hopes with more attention, future potential targets of the scam will recognize red flags before they turn over any money.

If callers say they are from the police, consumers should know that law enforcement officers do not collect debt for private parties. If the caller is speaking with a thick Indian accent, but calls themselves by a names such as Officer Mike Johnson, that should be a tip off. And if they're calling 40 times in two hours, that's another red flag. "Legitimate debt collectors, legitimate pay day lenders don't do those sorts of things," he said.

Merola said he would like to see anyone involved in the scam prosecuted aggressively.

"There's no place in society for these people," he said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-co ... 16512428&page=2

Called and told me my husband defaulted on a payday loan..when I denied it he gkt mad and started screaming I dont know my husbands finances..then hung ip pn me.  Alled me back threatened to cause trouble at his work and have him arrested. Told them good and they got mad and hung up.  Still calling leaving threatening messages.

Their messages are HILARIOUS !  Yes, they are obviously a scam. They have left 2 detailed messages from a woman with a thick Indian accent for someone who doesn't even live here. Also, the SS# they claimed is not of someone who lives here. I actually transcribed the msgs., and the grammar errors and syntactical phrasings are hilarious ! The hyperbolic threats ! The vague references to a "black place" ! It's too much ! It's also annoying. But since there is no real "legal department" at any real place, I cannot send a Cease & Desist letter. I'm about to block this #, but I'm going to wait for their next msg. b/c it's going to be comedy gold, I can tell.
*Just IGNORE these calls, block them, and don't worry about them. REAL "legal departments" don't call with bizarre thinly-veiled threats from India !

this company is calling my office.... very rude and they told me to f*** off

I recieved a phone call from these idiots yesterday who could barely speak english, not only on my house phone but on my cell phone as well. RUDE isn't even the word. He called my house at least 15 times in a matter of minutes, and continued to scream at me asking for someone that didn't even live at my house, and better yet have never heard of!  And how this person got my cell phone number is beyond me. I told him if he called again I would call the cops on him and he laughed at me and said "good I need to talk to the cops about you and get you arrested'!! I called my cell phone carrier and got there number blocked from calling. That is an option if for any reason they somehow get your cell phone number!

I received a call from 888-481-1547 and the person claimed to be an officer and stated that a lawsuit was filed against my husband.  However, when he also stated that he was from CashNetUSA Legal Dept. I knew this was fraud as we have an outstanding loan with them that is not due until 9-4-12.  I told him that I would be reporting this fraud call to CashNetUSA which I have already done.

They also state that their number is 661-998-8969, 3210 Chebelend Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901.  When you call the number back it is no longer working.

These people keep getting telephone numbers and I don't know why they can continue!!!  They are a group of scoundrels scaring people into giving them money and can never give you an address.  Don't fall for their scam.  Your money is going to India.  There is no Federal Crime Division and they cannot arrest you.

How can u tell the accent was from Pakistan??? Most pakistanis sound like indians if they have an accent or the more educated accent is closer to British. There is no distinct pakistani accent. What an ignorant statement!

BLOCK THIS NUMBER. Left me a message saying they will come to my work and have me arrested or to have my lawyer call me. Also was asking for a wrong name. When I asked who they were, they said US Cash. That right away put up RED FLAGS! These people need to be stopped. Hope this helps if they tried calling you.

Aggressive collection fraud.  Block this number.

Left no name, had a foreign accent, like for example from Pakistan. He stated I can get a payday loan. This is untrue, please do not return these calls it a scam.