This is very illegal. I am a paralegal student and when I told them this again for about the 10th time they got an attitude.

What is illegal is taking $ from someone with no intentions of repayment?

I just got a call too. I have been a victim of identity fraud. Been going on for 3 years now, with collections calling. I had someone calling me names. Now I have a small recorder my husband bought. Works great. U can find at radio shack or frys, just but your phone on speaker.

I work as a paralegal and I hope I can provide some useful information:

This is what I found on their website: "Lewis and McCarthy is a regulatory accounts receivable management company. We specialize in collection and recovery solutions. Our clients receive our exceptional services to insure that their debtors and/or fraudulent customers pay the monies due and owed to them. Our priority is to aid you in paying off your debt as well as get your credit back in good standing."

A lot of collection agencies try to portray themselves as a "law firm". This IS illegal, as well as trying to pose as an officer of the law. Everyone of you needs to look up the FDCPA laws which state what a collection agency can and CANNOT do. You can also report them to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in NY and the Federal Trade Commission. Please do not let these agencies hassle you. They have a tendency to use scare tactics into thinking that they can "scare" you into paying. They are trained to do this.

Now if your debt is legitimate, I would suggest getting in touch with the original creditor and try to work with them on your debt. If it is out of their hands and they can no longer work with you because it is now with a collection agency, be sure to check the validity of the company and do not give out any information! (For example: SSN's, etc... or anything that is personal information) If they are truely a collection agency, then the original creditor would have sent your information to them and they should already have it. Plus, they HAVE to send you something in writing within the first 30 days so that you are able to dispute the charges. You could also call an attorney (most consultations are free) or try calling a debt consolidation company to help you come up with a smaller payment and consolidate all of your debts into one low monthly payment.

Also, someone stated that this agency called them stating they needed a return call because of internet fraud. The only thing I can gather from this is when you have gone on-line and made a payday loan (or some type of loan) and they required you to sign your contract electronically instead of you actually signing your signature in person. They consider this "internet fraud" because you have not fulfilled your commitment to pay and you signed a contract promising to pay back the loan.

I know most do not want to go this route, but some places will accept collateral as payment. That is another option.

Lastly, you may want to call if you feel that someone may have used your information. I see that one person stated that someone had used their info to obtain loans in their name. This is also illegal and fraudulent and needs to be reported immediately.

i received the same call it had come to pass that someone had used my info to obtain loans in my name. lewis and mccarthy was quite helpful in referring me to an attorney network who is in the process of resolving the claim and clearing my credit. glad i responded.

THanks

I got the exact same message. I wasn't sure what I should do considering I know I never did any internet fraud. Should I just delete the message? I know I'm not giving them any information.

same sort of threat about internet fraud.

They say they are calling from the "Law Firm" of Lewis and McCarthy, but they are actually a collection agency - I looked them up on the internet, and their registered business name is Lewis & McCarthy, LLC, and they are based out of New York.  They are NOT a "Law Firm", they are a collection agency, trying to make people "think" they are a "Law Firm".  I would say that is illegal!!

Got the same message. Full of s***. Do not respond.

I received that exact same voice message. Pretty sure it's a phishing expedition.

Thank heavens for speech to text on my cell phone.

Their message said they were calling on behalf of the law firm of Lewis and McCarthy. The msg stated it was in regards to Internet fraud, my sir name and social security number.

It went on to say they

"could not reference all or part of my ss # under the privacy act of 1974, USC 552A. The purpose of this call is to finalize my statement, obtain my attorney information and verification of my primary address. Obviously at this point you are not available. If you do not recall this case for the complaint party this will be our opportunity to contact him for further details on the matter. Please contact them by the close of business today toll free (888) 550-6176. Again that is (888) 550-6176. Failure to respond will result in the automatic response entrance on your behalf."

I've not yet called them back because I am trying to find a free phone call recording program that will work with my phone. So far all the free one's will not work with my model. I just want proof what what is being said.

I've received fake calls before, but this one sounds legit. I've had someone hack into my email recently so that is of concern. Of course I would never give them any information over the phone. The can snail mail me whatever they have.

Thank heavens for speech to text on my cell phone.

Their message said they were calling on behalf of the law firm of Lewis and McCarthy. The msg stated it was in regards to Internet fraud, my sir name and social security number.

It went on to say they

"could not reference all or part of my ss # under the privacy act of 1974, USC 552A. The purpose of this call is to finalize my statement, obtain my attorney information and verification of my primary address. Obviously at this point you are not available. If you do not recall this case for the complaint party this will be our opportunity to contact him for further details on the matter. Please contact them by the close of business today toll free (888) 550-6176. Again that is (888) 550-6176. Failure to respond will result in the automatic responce entrance on your behalf."

I've not yet called them back because I am trying to find a free phone call recording program that will work with my phone. So far all the free one's will not work with my model. I just want proof what what is being said.

I've received fake calls before, but this one sounds legit. I've had someone hack into my email recently so that is of concern. Of course I would never give them any information over the phone. The can snail mail me whatever they have.

I got the same call from Lewis and McCarthy saying they are calling me about internet fraud..i dont even have the internet or a computer!

I had just also received a call from 888-55-6176 just today on 1/19/2012. I had gotten a message stating that the call was from the office of Lewis & McCarthy stating that I need to call them back about internet fraud. To me this is got to be a Joke because I had never ever done anything to get into trouble for anything especially internet fraud.

I received a call from 888-550-6176 on 01/17/2012 - told me they wanted to help me with tax savings in 2012, and that I should call this toll free # back.  It said they were from the Office of Lewis & McCarthy.  I then received another call from them today stating that they needed me to call them back at the toll free # 888-550-6176 - something about internet fraud.  It said they were calling from the Legal Department at the Office of Lewis & McCarthy.  I wish they would make up their mind what they are calling me about!!!!

Received a call from law offices of lewis and mccarthy stating it is about internet fraud, lol what a joke really internet fraud I don't think so.

claimed that my social was stolen and needed to call back asap.... hmmm

They call me

caller is from law office of kewis and mccarthy. calling about a payday loan

Automated message saying calling from an attorney.  When I press one to speak to someone, call gets disconnected