For at least the last year, an illegal group of debt collectors have been terrorizing consumers, their family, friends, and employees threatening to arrest the individual of an unpaid loan or other debt (their generally don't even owe). Be aware debt is a civil matter, not a criminal matter, and you can't be arrested. They threaten a warrant if the victim does not pay a sum of money by the credit card over the phone.

Even if you do owe a debt, do not be deceived by the actions of this group.  Many of the accounts they are attempting to collect they do not own.  In other words, if you pay these people, that is not going to clear your debt with its rightful owner.  

Although when pressed the callers give the victim an address in Columbia South Carolina (usually a vacant lot) or Atlanta GA (often a parking lot near the bus station). They are actually out of the Charlotte North Carolina area. The scammers are using the following business names

Reynolds, Hill, and Associates
Berkley and Associates
Kaufmann and Associates
Sanderson Blaine & Associates
McKenzie Reid Associates
Kennedy, Kline, & Associates
Nationwide Asset and Recovery
Piedmont Investigations and Procurement
Raffino, Garrison, & McCoy
McCoy Law Group

Here is a set of links to a variety of threads on this forum that document this group and its behavior. They include the experiences of victims as well as a former employee or two that quit within a week of finding out exactly what was going on. They also include responses from consumer advocates and people who are really criminal justice professionals advising victims of what to do

http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-748-8367
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-719-1725
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-676-3492
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-805-5549
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-751-1084
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-803-2349
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-775-2417
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-775-2418
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-755-3417
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-746-3946
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-676-3485
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-3768
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-699-9749/2
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-6246
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-678-5437
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-967-0061
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-746-3948
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-791-2353
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-699-6246
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-735-8624
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-751-1083
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-736-3678/2
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-8529
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-967-2633
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-460-1576
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-609-3074
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-576-6210
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-601-5849
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-230-1283
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-658-0438
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-510-9327
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-509-0338
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-803-0755
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-511-0627
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-509-3033
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-509-0339
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-511-0631

The day after receiving the automated message from 888-511-0627, I received a call from 404-334-9987, which is a VolP (voice over internet protocol) number.  Most legitimate businesses list their phone number with their business name.  They claimed the person they are looking for has been named as a referral on a legal, binding contract, which of course I have no knowledge of since I don't know anyone with the name of the person they are calling about!

I also received an automatic message left on my voicemail.  They said they were looking for a ________, which is a similar name to mine, but not eactly.  The message left a "case number" and call back number of 888-511-0627.  The case number starts off with the year 2014.  I worked in law offices before, and no case numbers start off with the year!

It's all bogus, they have been reported to the FBI and Attorney General.  Do NOT send them anything.  Tell them you want "proof" mailed to you immediately and you will then seek legal counsel.  At that time they will tell you they wont send you anything...  Hang up on them !

They just called me stating they were a legal firm and they were retained by Cash Mart Advance, (which Ive never had a payday loan) I asked them to send me the paperwork on this and I will forward it to my attorney.  He said he "cant" and wont send me anything.... Lets talk about FRAUD and EXTORTIONEST.  If anyone else gets calls from these people, tell them you want PROOF sent to you before anything.

called a relative and said they where investigatiors . called the number and they say that they are a legal group nothing but a scam !!

This number called my sons cell phone along with other family members looking for me.  I called back and when I gave my name she couldnt even find any papers, but acted like she was looking for some thing.  Then when I told her that they have been calling me for 4 years and I already paid them $1200, that they were not getting any more money out of me.  She got really nasty with me, so I gave it right back.  She than informed me to get a lawyer that they would be taking me to court.  I told her I already have a lawyer from last year when they herassed me, and there was never anything in the court system with my name on it.  She also ask me if I wanted to settle the cost today at the amount of $500 or if it goes to court, it will be $8000.  Really wish someone would put a stop to all of this.

they called my cell phone and as soon as they hung up they called my work. As soon as i noticed the number callling at work i answered and they were asking for my boss who is in Human resources and i hung up.

this is an unlisted number stop calling it

Scam artist . Do not answer

Automatic message left on voice mail.  Did not give company name.  Said they were looking for me.  Called themselves "investigators'.    sure this is a scam.  

Thank you for all your help. I also figured if they were legit, they would mail me something but they would also have left a name as to what firm or agency they were calling from.

I wouldn't even call them back - the posts here show every indication that this is a scam.  No need to be confused - if they are legitimate, they should have NO PROBLEM complying with the FDCPA.  Doesn't matter if they say they are lawyers or they're debt collectors - they still have to comply with federal law.  Which means: do not pay any caller unless they MAIL - do not accept email or fax - a debt validation letter showing that you owe a debt and that your caller has the legal right to collect said debt.  Refusal to mail this DV letter within five days of their first call is a violation of federal law.  BTW, a bill or invoice is not *proof* you owe anyone.  The DV letter would show original creditor, amount of loan, date loan was incurred, amount still owed and date of last payment.  More info here:

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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Also read up on the laws and your rights:

Harassing calls from a debt collector? Here is what you need to know
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

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

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
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Follow the steps in what you need to know. A legitimate debt collector agency should not have a problem with giving you a real business name and address you can google and verify via google street view, BBB etc.
For extortion Scam Operations, file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

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

And folks should consider looking at maybe getting call blocking device or phone..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=se ... s=call+blockers

I am so confused. My other sister got a call from the same number today. When I called today I couldn't get an answer.
I'm not gonna give them any money, as I have fallen victim to a scam similar before.

I just got a call from them not too long ago as well and I hung up just as soon as I heard who they were looking for. I called back a couple hours later and ask them what this was all about and they said it was about bank fraud and that they would have to speak to my husband about this because it was about him and not me. Sure enough I found out they called my husband earlier too.

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
******************
Also read up on the laws and your rights:

Harassing calls from a debt collector? Here is what you need to know
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

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

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
************
Follow the steps in what you need to know. A legitimate debt collector agency should not have a problem with giving you a real business name and address you can google and verify via google street view, BBB etc.
For extortion Scam Operations, file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

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

And folks should consider looking at maybe getting call blocking device or phone..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=se ... s=call+blockers

Called my house looking for my daughter.  Both our names are dif. They have also found out all of my childrens names and phone numbers and are calling them wanting us to pay for a loan that we know nothing about.

just received a call from a number 1 888 511 0627 and they were sayin my girlfriend had a case they were gona open for check fraud and tried getting her credit card numbers... what can we do..

No, don't give them money.  It's a scam!

I received a call from this number, as well as my sister, saying that I was a defendent and they gave a case number. I know well enough that if there is a case against me or I have done something, I will be served a summons, the sheriff would come arrest me for whatever the case is for. Should I call them back? I have feeling it's a scam.

i got the same call they say they were investigators looking for me. i really don't think investigatorss would call you first. something about  me committing 3 counts of bank fraud. and i needed to clear this matter up before  they issue an arrest warrant for me. they say they are out of atlanta.ga.

I called them repeatedly too and they changed their name, now they're a law firm!  They going to get what they deserve.

I called them repeatedly and they hung up on me when I asked for the name of there company and there address or a fax number

YES, they are scammers.  They called me Friday and I was silly enough to give them money.  I harass them all day, like they do other people and filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.  Don't give them any money, and hopefully I can get my money back.

Thanks you two. The info helped.

Sounds like a scam to me.   Tell them they have to send you a written statement of the debt and it has to be sent by US Mail.  They don't do this then,  you just ignore them.

Nope.  If you really had a "case" against you - civil or otherwise - you'd have been "served" a court summons via process server (or arrested if you'd committed a crime).  You wouldn't hear about it first via phone call.  More info on this type of scam here:

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
******************
Also read up on the laws and your rights:

Harassing calls from a debt collector? Here is what you need to know
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

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

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection
************
Follow the steps in what you need to know. A legitimate debt collector agency should not have a problem with giving you a real business name and address you can google and verify via google street view, BBB etc.
For extortion Scam Operations, file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

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

And folks should consider looking at maybe getting call blocking device or phone..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=se ... s=call+blockers

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/
*****************
http://www.net-security.org/article.php?id=1828
***************
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
************
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
************
To report 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/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

Consider buying a call blocking device or phone..
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=call+blockers

Is it worth calling them back? They left a phone number and a case number for me to call them back with. I would call them just to see what it's all about.

Most likely scammers - calling people and asking for a person of the same last name, but different first name - telling anyone who picks up that they're looking for the "defendent" - all signs of a scam attempt.