The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if he:

?is seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
?refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
?asks you for personal financial or sensitive information; or
?exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.

If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

?Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.?Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.
?Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft ? charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or taking out loans in your name.
?Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate ? but you think the collector may not be ? contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.
?Report the call. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

I received this very scary and threatening call saying a civil complaint was filed against me and that if I didn't respond within 24 hours my address would be verified, etc etc. They said I should call this "law firm" immediately, but did not identify themselves or the law firm. They finished the call with " good luck".......

JUST CALLED ME AGAIN AT WORK,,AND SAID IF I DID NOT GIVE HIM 1500.00 DOLLARS HE WOULD GET 4000.00 FROM ME AT COURT AND THEN HUNG UP ON ME,,,CRAZY COMPANY THERE,,NOT SURE HOW THEY CAN DO THAT TO PEOPLE,WITH NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION.

THEY CALLED,BUT I DO NOT OWE THEM ANYTHING,AND THEN THE THREATS STARTED,,,SOMEBODY NEEDS TO STOP THESE GUYS FROM CALLING PEOPLE AT WORK AND DOING THIS,,THANK YOU

THEY JUST DID THE SAME THING TO ME AT WORK,,,FOR A DEBT THAT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FROM 2001,DEAN WINTER IS WHAT HE SAID HIS NAME WAS,BUT I COULD TELL IT WAS NOT,HE WANTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLORS FOR SOME DEBT FROM 2001.THIS GUY WAS STRONG ARMING ME OVER THE PHONE SAYING I SHOULD GIVE HIM THE MONEY NOW,OR ELSE??HAHA OR ELSE WHAT,SCAM ARTISTS THAT ARE NOT EVEN GOOD,SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE GUYS.

I received a call from this debt collection company stating that I had a card in 2001-2002. But they took over the card and they are representing this company in debt. How rude can these people be. I never heard of rude people. Mr Winters has been rude since I been on the phone with him. My attorney is contacting him and his name is John Walker. If you received a call from this number 888-837-5930 do not answer. The name of the company that they are calling about is Providian Credit Card Company.

No it isn't! It needs sent via the us mail certified so they can't say they did not get it! Also send them a cease and desist..
And no, your employer can get into trouble for firing you over it. The FDCPA laws are clear..
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
******************
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
*******************************
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.

This company tried to serve me at work! It was a total shock because this debt had been paid off back in 2008! The process server-gave the number to call and when I did, the company said that no one had dispatched a process server.
The server came to my work twice but couldn't get thru because of security, he was only transferred to my phone.
I have faxed proof and yet they can't "find" it and say that they are going to serve me at work. Is this legal that they keep threatening to serve me at work? I really don't want them to try again-I may lose my job if they do.

you are to take me off your call list. Do not call me again.

A woman called my sisters house and left a number saying it was urgent or I would be arrested. I called back the number and was called  a " loser" and " slacker" and was told I would be " read my rights' before being served. She called my place of employment and spoke to my supervisor. I asked for an address and her name and she refused to give me either. I do not ever remember having a credit card with Providian in 1999!!!!! She said I owed 32,000.00!!!! I called back again after she hung up on me and tried to get information and she said, " enjoy your judgement" and hung up on me..

I got a call from them today at my sisters house?? They left a message and said it was in reference to being served and arrested. Good grief. I called back, a woman who was very rude called me a " loser who didn't pay her bills" and said she was going to " read me my rights". I made the mistake of calling from my work phone...I hung up when I couldn't get a word in edgewide. She called back and got my supervisor and said I would be " served" here at work. I panicked! I went on line to the FTC and filed a complaint. I don't even remember 1999 having a card from them! It may have been my ex who was arrested for fraud on felonies..in any case I am hoping this is just madness and I am not in danger of anything. This supposed debt is over 14 years old. I will read the above links and file the appropriate things. Any other guidance would be so appreciated!

I received a call/voicemail from these knuckleheads on my desk phone at work last week (I was on vacation), and they also left the same message on my boss' desk phone, saying it is important I call, they want to discuss a "possible civil complaint" and "failure to respond will result in a failure to appear". WTF??  I plan on filing a complaint at each of the links above. They show up as unknown and my call blocker on my cell just hangs up. This is the 3rd go around from these guys with the same line, the only thing that changes in the supposed "case number". I don't owe anyone any money. If they are calling on behalf of Providian, the card they are referencing was paid and closed in 1999. The other number they leave is 866-759-3675. I had a friend who is an attorney call that number and when he said he was an attorney with a firm in my hometown (my name wasn't mentioned) they guy hung up on him. Pretty sad I have to waste my time with these a**holes

Same here.  They read off my address and my employer's address and they called my job, which is in violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  They are threatening to come to my job and serve me papers.  This is all to get me to respond.  If this is about my old Providian card, I know for a fact that this debt is too old for them to be collecting on.  I barely even remember having that card but I know it was at least 10 years ago.  If for some reason they do show up at my job trying to serve me I will be counter-suing them and we can just hash it out that way.

they call me i put their number on block, so they call from a different number and keep saying i am going to be served, well serve me already, geez... now they are calling my mom's house and she has to answer the phone because she works from home and they call from to many different numbers for her to keep track of which to ignore... at first i was freaked out by the fact they had my address, car make and tags... but soon realized that info is public... still unnerving... they need to serve this make believe papers and move on... oh their new line is that they are calling from the court house...

See my post above - the links are there to file reports/complaints along with the laws..

This is the second time rude Ms Lloyd ! I was contacts and bullied and I believe scammed by them last time. When I told her no way will she do this again and I never got a single proof of my payoff she told me how dare I accuse her and hung up on me!!! Gonna file. Complaint but I am not sure where to go

Most likely these guy's are Extortion scammers, and it takes time for the governments to even catch them. And I use Governments lightly, since a lot of them are not in the US, but foreign country's. And sometimes those governments do not or will not co-operate with ours. Red tape as it where..  Keep reporting them regardless. And probably would be good also if your work would file complaints over the calls also. And if they have called friends and family, they should also file.

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
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

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
******************
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
*******************************
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.

i just got  a call from this guy claiming that i had to reply wthin 24 hors or i would served legal documentation to my home address.  this is the second time i have received a call from a company threatening me with civil action.  the caller said he would send a sheriff to my work to serve me (which was at the end of july).  i pulled my credit for all 3 bureaus and saw this collection company did a inquiry days before the 1st call. i did not have any open collections for providian or anything that would warrant a harrassing call.
i did make a mistake the 1st time they called - i answered the phone.  they called me at work stating they would settle over the phone for $1500 or they would sue me for the original debt.  i asked to call them back when i was at break.  when i did not call because i did not get a break at work - the guy proceeded to yell and threaten me.
i did try to report them but it did not appear to do any good.  this surely is unethical or illegal collection attempts.

i received a call from a restricted number, claiming that i would have legal documentation sent to my home address, if my place of residence wasnt verified in 24 hrs. this is the 2nd call i recieved from phoney companys trying to scare me. this man did not identify himself or company he worked for.  i never received any thing last time and i dont expect anything this time as well. why dont they try scamming wealthy people, im poor!!!

Got a call saying i was being served on a civil matter.  made comment "i wonder who is suing me" and hung up. Called back and left a message with a case number and rattled off a firm name i couldn't understand.  Proceeded to tell me if I wanted to know who was suing i needed to call this number.  Called and they refused to give me a company name.  Since when do they serve papers via a phone call?

Thank You for the info. I'll get started on it Tomorrow. I'm off for 2 weeks starting Wednesday. This will give me something to do :-)

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
******************
http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know

I think you misunderstood Richards comment. He's saying it's a debt collector trying to collect on an old Providian account that he paid in 2000. I got a call as well. They're using scare tactics to get you to call them. I once had a providan card, but that was over 15 years ago. They say a process server will be serving me blah blah blah. They then read off your address. Another scare tactic. Some how they have the wrong address on me. They're going to serve me at my old college dorm? Anyway, I don't remember what happened with my Providian card. I'm sure I paid it off. This is the second round of calls by the way. First time was 2 months ago. They read the same script about a civil suit, and Sheriffs serving me with papers. I guess this frightens people into calling them back and trying to settle. Better luck next time. The thought of a civil suit, jail, nor anything else frightens me. I survived 8 years of George Bush, I can survive anything =/

Whatever Richard. Were you in court today? They said you were... This is a scam. Do not give this company your information?

This is a Debt Collector company. Call Me To Day.. Providian Credit Card Account  i Paid off in 2000..