I got a phone call from a Matt Johnson telling me to call this 1-877-852-4425 number and to refer to claim #1!&@%* - When he called me by my last name that I hadn't used since 2005 due to a divorce. He then stated that he was going to serve me papers at an old address. When I called the number back a lady answered and gave me to a man called Ray Cruz at ext 305. He was very nasty and stated that if I didn't give him my debt card number to pay he would serve me and I could go before a judge. Ray called back today to say the same thing. When I listen to the message on my voice mail I realized that Ray and Matt where one and the same.....Decided to look them up on the internet and was sent to this web site. Strange.....

these people are calling my number along with calling family members saying that i wrote a bad check and that i am defraudung the system. i dont know what they are talking about and they are invading my privacy i am going to contact a laywler and have them sued. i

A lady called and said she was from the youth development program.  a non profit organization. I didn't let
her get any further. I hung up the phone.  She called at 9pm on a week night.  My kids where sleeping.  How rude!

Called today and said I bounced a check to the Bank of America and I was going to be served papers today from the court.  Shawn Ray, said that If I settled this today for $1586.00 I would not be served.  He said he mailed two letters to me in the last two weeks.  I did not receive anything from him.  I asked him to fax one of the letters to me.  His fax didn't work so he emailed me the letter.  The letter was dated for today.  They say on their letter that they are a Professional Debt Collection Agency and my debt will be considered Paid in Full and my credit file and tax forms will be updated.

I never wrote the check for $1700 that they were referring to.  Also, they said my husband was named Leon, which he isn't.  

Last week I received a call from a lady that said she and her daughter received a call from this company and said that they were working to find Lynn McFadden and I had put these two people down as friends to contact.  They do not know me and I don't know them.  They found my number on the internet and called to tell me what was going on.  

They want me to call them back and arrange for the payment.

Ok so they didn't give me a company name, and the callers name was jane smith. Asked about someone who don't exist. Just used our last name. Its a
scam and a crappy one. DON'T FALL FOR IT

Don't believe anything that they say. It is a scam! Do NOT give any personal info. to them whatsoever.Even if you feel threatened. This call was regarding an "investigation" about another person who doesn't even reside at this number/residence. They claimed that they plan to persue this through the local jurisdiction to the fullest extent of the law. And, he then said, "good luck". Sounds kosher? I think not.

Just got a call from 7167486064  
and how stupid they are.it makes me laugh ..kk
The guy on the phone got my mom's last name right but wrong on the first name   wow.
i told them that they had the wrong name and the guy right away asked me what her first name was.
i told him that i cannot tell him any more info and he's like "there's a lawsuit about to be filed against her" and that they need her in action immediately.
OKAY  dumb a$$ if there was a lawsuit being filed   at least get her name right nxt time.

i hope no one gets fooled by these stupid calls. really  dont give them any info and IGNORE.

All of the the above, impersonating attorney's and left a threatening voicemail. Did some research and called another number. Got someone on the phone and went off on him, since no one lives here by the name they are looking for, so I went off on him. (aaron I am assuming) he we right to punk a$$$ gutter he is no bill collector, it is a shakedown. Hung up on him, he than called me back to harass me some more.

I would say they are Now Empire Investigations as well with the listed info of

Empire Investigations
448 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202-1302 (716) 881-0373 ?
http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/14453760/448-Franklin-Street-Buffalo-NY/
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Empire+Investigations+448+Franklin+Street,+Buffalo,+NY+14202-1302+%28716%29+881-0373+google+maps&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=np&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Got a message from some man claiming to be with a law firm.  It was regarding my social security number and to refer to case # 177642.  Sounds like a bunch of bull$..t to me - never would I call somebody back and give and/or verify my SSN to them.
The guy talked so fast I had to listen to the message 4 times and still couldn't get all the names he was supposedly affiliated with.

I also received a call from someone at this number urging me to return the call by 9.p.m EST or risk eviction from my home.  The caller stated that there was an issue involving my ssn.  When I attempted to return the call there was a voicemail asking that I leave a message.  I did not because I am unaware of any unresolved debts.  The number registered on my caller id as coming from Bryant but the voice message indicated it was Blackman Lafayette.  That is when I decided to check the internet for information on the caller and found this website.  Thank you to all who have shared their experiences.  Sounds like a scam to me.

A guy called my parents, leaving a voice message. Could barely make out his name (sounded like adnardelli..) Said he was from the fraud department but he never gave his company name. Also mentioned we or our lawyers had 72 hours to respond otherwise the matter would be sent on to the local jurisdiction.

The number left as a call back was 877-852-4425 ext 324. And he left a "case" number.

Seriously, ppl like this need to die. Surprised no one has done vigilante justice on them yet. The economy is in the crapper & honestly, there are tons of ppl in a fragile emotional/mental state who may feel like taking some a-hole scammers down before they commit suicide.

They left a nasty message.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) helps you Fight Back against unfair, unethical and even illegal bill collection tactics!

Click here for a Debt Help Lawyer Case Review or call toll free 888-FDCPA-LAW (888-332-7252) to submit your information to a FREE* Fair Debt Lawyer!

Are debt collectors demanding payments on debts you can no longer afford? Are bill collectors harassing you over debts that you've already paid? Are you being harassed over debts that are not yours?  
Have you told collectors to STOP CALLING but they call anyway...repeatedly? Do they demand more money than you can afford? Are collection agents discussing your debts and other personal information with employers, neighbors, even your parents? If so, this self-help web site is just what you've been looking for!  call them

Did you know that most debts expire? It's true and, something as simple as checking your state's statute of limitations to enforce a debt, can save you a tremendous amount of time, thousands of dollars in payments and... a great deal of aggravation!

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) helps you Fight Back against unfair, unethical and even illegal bill collection tactics!

Click here for a Debt Help Lawyer Case Review or call toll free 888-FDCPA-LAW (888-332-7252) to submit your information to a FREE* Fair Debt Lawyer!

Are debt collectors demanding payments on debts you can no longer afford? Are bill collectors harassing you over debts that you've already paid? Are you being harassed over debts that are not yours?  
Have you told collectors to STOP CALLING but they call anyway...repeatedly? Do they demand more money than you can afford? Are collection agents discussing your debts and other personal information with employers, neighbors, even your parents? If so, this self-help web site is just what you've been looking for!  call theses people

Did you know that most debts expire? It's true and, something as simple as checking your state's statute of limitations to enforce a debt, can save you a tremendous amount of time, thousands of dollars in payments and... a great deal of aggravation!

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) helps you Fight Back against unfair, unethical and even illegal bill collection tactics!

Click here for a Debt Help Lawyer Case Review or call toll free 888-FDCPA-LAW (888-332-7252) to submit your information to a FREE* Fair Debt Lawyer!

Are debt collectors demanding payments on debts you can no longer afford? Are bill collectors harassing you over debts that you've already paid? Are you being harassed over debts that are not yours?  
Have you told collectors to STOP CALLING but they call anyway...repeatedly? Do they demand more money than you can afford? Are collection agents discussing your debts and other personal information with employers, neighbors, even your parents? If so, this self-help web site is just what you've been looking for!

Did you know that most debts expire? It's true and, something as simple as checking your state's statute of limitations to enforce a debt, can save you a tremendous amount of time, thousands of dollars in payments and... a great deal of aggravation!

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) helps you Fight Back against unfair, unethical and even illegal bill collection tactics!

Click here for a Debt Help Lawyer Case Review or call toll free 888-FDCPA-LAW (888-332-7252) to submit your information to a FREE* Fair Debt Lawyer!

Are debt collectors demanding payments on debts you can no longer afford? Are bill collectors harassing you over debts that you've already paid? Are you being harassed over debts that are not yours?  
Have you told collectors to STOP CALLING but they call anyway...repeatedly? Do they demand more money than you can afford? Are collection agents discussing your debts and other personal information with employers, neighbors, even your parents? If so, this self-help web site is just what you've been looking for!

Did you know that most debts expire? It's true and, something as simple as checking your state's statute of limitations to enforce a debt, can save you a tremendous amount of time, thousands of dollars in payments and... a great deal of aggravation!

call them they will help they helped me many times! michelle

just to let everyoneno just call this number and they will help u with this its called fdcpa number is 8883327252 if you have calls all the time any thing they can help they are the best and some cases they can win money for you for .

A Dennis Gordan called at 3:21 today. He left a message for a Sharnel Jackson (?) regarding an investigation into SS #, gave a case #, and urged a callback. Called from 716-335-9943 but requested a call to 877-852-4425 ext 314. The company name he said he was from on my vm was different than the one on the hold music :BRYANT LAFEYETTE AND ASSOC. Probably a firm contracted to do another's work. I called him back to let him know he had the wrong number and he was polite!

This person called saying I had 48 hours to respond to a litigation against me.  She spoke very fast and it took several tries to piece the number together.  It seems several others had the same experience.  It appears to be a scam.

Ms. Laporte called me saying that in was in my best interest to call back because they had a lawsuit against me. But, I had no idea why, so i googled the number left on my voice mail 877-852-4425 ext 319 and thanks to all these comments I now know its all a scam...Thank god for this site and everyone's responses. Now I can just ignore their phone calls although it's annoying, eventually the calls should stop.

They have been calling my work. A lady named Kathy. From phone number 877-852-4425  
Said I owe money from an old credit card. Tried to get me to pay 1100.00 today.  She asked for my debit card number.  When I told her I would send it in the mail she wouldnt give me there address. I knew I didnt owe anything but was trying to get her info to turn them into the FTC.  They are a scam and I have now filed with the FDCPA, better business bureau, and the FTC. They are located in New York so if you want to file a complaint against them, you have to file in NY. Call 1-518-474-5481 and request a form because it has to be on paper. This company threatened to garnish my wages (which they cannot do without a court order) and its against the law to threaten people this way. I encourage everyone who has been harrassed by these people to call the Newyork #. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission, Fair debt collection privacy act, or the better business bureau.

I meant I have 2 letters for them.  

FYI, his name was Christian James calling from 716-748-6064. He asked to call back 877-852-4425 x325. Nice try Christian. My "Formal notification" about the proceedings will launch me into action.

I received a call this morning for the 1st time from these folks. It was enlightening to find this board and the relevant experience that we all share. I owed a ton from a job loss and had to give up my home. That was 6 years ago and I thought I was all settled. That is why this was such an odd call. They confirmed on the voice mail a case #, immediate action is required to bring this case to resolution before their is potential litigation, and he confirmed an outdated home address where they may mail documents to my attention.

I gave letters for them. F and U.

My wife got a call from "Christian James"  with a request to call him tomorrow (2/9/2011) at 877-825 4425 Ex 325 . The number  that showed up on caller ID was Bryant @ 716 748 6064.
I have received several calls from this group over the last few years  looking for my daughter trying to collect some debt or other each time after being told I have no knowledge of her location they become quite irate.  Even thought ask to remove my name every few months they start up again.  
I wish someone would take up a class action suite

I got a call a couple days ago, a voicemail from "Claims Investigator Brooks" and that I'm a person of interest and to call him back at 877-852-4425 x322 about a case #.  Told my wife it has to be a scam, no company name, no last name, can't be legite.  Deleted the msg and then found this website.

David--
Go to www.NYdebthelp.com. This is the NY AG's website to file complaints against debt collectors operating illegally in NY State.

I am extremely angry that my parents, who are retired, got a threatening phone call from BLA yesterday saying they have tried to contact me and that they are going to sue me. No one has ever called me at home from this company. My number is listed and any monkey could find it using my name. they did have enough info (state and and county) that scared my parents. I have had to talk to them all night and this mornig to convince them everything will be ok. I want these people prosecuted!!

Received an answering machine message from Miss Laporte stating I was "a person of interest" in an investigation of a case #. When I returned the call, it was from Blackman Lafayette & Assoc. at 877-852-4425, & Miss LaPorte was unavailable. We  have no reason to be contacted by a debt collection agency but the whole episode was very upsetting. Thanks to all of you who have contributed your experiences to this site! Now, I know for sure it's a scam.

My Grandpa got a call from these people Layfyette or whoever they are, they talk so fast on there.
I am not sure what these people are except he owns his house outright and his car and owes no-one? I can't imagine WTF these people want to do to the elderly. It gets them upset when the older generation can't pay a bill.

I also received a call today saying contact Mrs. La Porta at 1-877-852-4425 X305 saying your a witness to a case gave a case # she sounded rude on my answering machine so I googled this number and found out they are Blackman Lafette.  :o