I got a phone call from a man named Mike Mitchell from The legal department at Chelsea and Associates, and he told me that I had 24 hours to call him back (or call my lawyer to call him back). He Even gave me a fake case number (KL0043580) - which I think he made up top of his head. I went online and searched Chelsea and associates and I found this posts - phew!  These scammers Ought to be caught. His phone number was 1-800-449-0097.

Dewy

This so called company chelsea & associates been calling me & my work threatening me that if im not gonna pay theym they will served me at my work... This "Mr. James" even threatened me that i cannot apply for my citezenship & they will deport me to my country if i wont pay what i owe them... Are they serious about this??? It's scary what they are saying to me... And yes they know a lot about me too...

Thank you soooooo much i was afraid but they mever told me what i owed thousands of dollars for.

- Do NOT rely on Do Not Call Lists. These callers are criminals. A rare picture indeed is a scammer making sure the number he or she is about to call is not on the Do Not Call list. Besides, there's many exceptions to the DNC lists, to where they are useless.

- I would not bother with reporting their conduct to government agencies. There's so many of these scammers that govt. does not have the time to investigate them all, nor prosecute cases.

- Remember, these calls have their genesis in a debt that was owed at one time or another by someone. That defense will keep these people out of handcuffs.

- I call these people scammers because their tactics are aggressive, and some collector tactics cross the line, e.g., conduct is a violation of the debt collection laws. But generally, these callers are not true scammers because they are accessing debt records and their calls are an attempt to collect a debt.

- The law does NOT prohibit anyone from attempting to collect monies owed, no matter how old the debt. The law provides you defenses to collection attempts, e.g. if the statute of limitations has run, but a debt collector is not required to figure out what defenses you might assert.

- Yes, some collectors may be fraudulent in their actions, but proving such is difficult and the criminal will be long gone with your money way before anyone arrests and prosecutes him or her.

But a claim under those laws is NOT a solution or adequate remedy for you. And realistically, your filing a complaint or claim is not going to get rid of these people.

- Use caller ID. Institute the habit of NEVER, EVER picking up the phone on "unknown" phone numbers or numbers you don't recognize.

- If you have an Android phone, and it is rooted (if you don't know what that is, then your phone is probably not rooted) use an app called Root Call Blocker. That is an awesome app. What it does is prevents callers from getting through to your phone! And I don't mean it is a phone silencer. It tells callers your phone number is dead.

I don't know how it works, but on numbers I designate (e.g., Chelsea & Associates) when they call, ON THEIR END my number shows as disconnected. Over the past 18 months on every number that I have entered into it I have never heard from those companies again.

- Do your community service. File complaints on sites like this so that others get the word. It really helps, especially when you enter the phone number. (When I get a number I don't recognize I enter it into Google search and I appreciate when sites like this tell me what is what.

- When you sign up on websites for whatever, do not give your real phone number (if it is required). Give a phony one. Same goes for DOB and other personal information. Never use your real name and other personal details.

- Never send your phone number TYPED in an e-mail. This is because e-mail harvesters are set to capture phone numbers, dates of birth (in common formats), and words like "password" or "account" or "user name."

- If you do accidentally answer the phone on an unknown number, when you hear someone say "Hello" and you don't recognize the voice, HANG UP IMMEDIATELY. Don't say a word.

If you do get into a conversation, don't confirm addresses, name, phone numbers, etc. Don't even ask "Who is this?" "Who are you trying to call?" Hang up the phone!!!

- Your attitude must be, you don't give a rip who is calling, whom they are calling, or determining the purpose of the call. Don't let curiosity get the better of you.

- Don't play cat & mouse with these criminals and scammers. You are not going to get the better of them and playing games increases the chance that you will slip and give them information they can use against you.

- If you want to play games with these scammers and show you are slicker than they are, then make your goal to fool them into making a file entry by your number "Number dead, disconnected, no answer, get click when calling."

- Your friends and family know your voice. Consider changing your voice mail message to simply saying "Leave a message." Consider NOT saying your first name. This way the caller does not know if the name on their list is at the number called. Instead of "Hi, this is Robert, I'm not available..." say "Hi, I'm not available..."

- Here is a transcription of the call I got today, from Chelsea and Associates:

Call to: Cell phone
Phone Number on Caller ID: 949.468.5087
Time of call: 9:30 am
Voice Mail: Yes

"Hello, this message is for Bob Smith. I am Jason Meyers representing Chelsea and Associates. I am calling regarding your direct involvement with our office. This is regarding an incident in Los Angeles, California.

It is imperative that within the next 24 hours that we speak with you, your spouse, or your attorney. Please call our legal department at 800 449  0097 extension 111.

Once again, it is imperative that Bob Smith contact us within 24 hours."

I did not have time to proof my post. I just read it. Please excuse typographical and grammar errors.

Ok people, here is how this all works. This is what you need to know.

- Bottom line first: This is a collection agency or debt collector. It is the "boiler room" of debt collection agencies. They have 800 numbers and also local numbers in southern California. A common number is 949-468-508__

- DO NOT CALL THESE PEOPLE, DO NOT TALK TO THEM. There are not going to be any lawsuits, there are not going to be any liens. There are no attorneys involved.

These are just scare tactics to get you to send them money. These criminals are especially fond of calling employers and others to SHAME you into sending them money. Tell your boss and neighbors it is a scam. If it makles you feel better, ask your boss for details about the call because "the attorney general is looking into these crimes."

- Use  caller ID on your land line and cell phones. I NEVER PICK UP THE PHONE IF THERE'S A NUMBER I DON'T RECOGNIZE. Don't worry about missing calls. If a legit business is calling you it will identify itself and leave a message. If you return these scammer calls all you have done is confirm to the criminal that there is a live person whom to attempt working over.

Details:

- While they do violate state and federal law, worst case they close down, outrun law enforcement, and set up shop in a new location. But they know that day won't ever come because they are running a virtual con, meaning they can't be physically tracked down and arrested. In other words, they operate with impunity. That's why they get away with what they do.

- Once a debt from any source has been written off by the original creditor or service provider, the debt is sold ten times over to various collection agencies or individuals, each person further down the line paying less money than the one before for information related to the debt. (That's why they often have the wrong name, debt, or other details. The info they are using is stale.)

- By debt collector #10 in line the debt is pretty much worthless because it is noncollectable for any number of reasons. (Debtor has moved, no contact information, debtor is street savvy and won't ever pay, statute of limitations has run, debt is really old). Collector #10 has paid 5 cents on the dollar value of the original debt, if that. Many simply buy lists of debts, at bulk rates (10,000 debts for $500).

- As someone else said, these people are bottom feeders. By the time Chelsea and Associates has the debt the collectors are simply throwing darts at the wall, in the dark, to work the debt and see out of the 1000 robo or personal phone calls, letters, or e-mails maybe 10 people might send them money.

- These people work in stages. THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IS RESPOND TO THEM (that tells the scammer the phone number or e-mail is working). After confirming in the file that the number is working, the criminal then sets about trying to get information from you (personal details, etc.)

- Be aware that even if you paid some supposed debt (you think is) owed, that will NOT stop the scammer. Just like the blackmailer they will come back for more. Nothing gets cleared off the books, the debt does not get removed from a credit report (assuming it was there in the first place, it probably was not). In other words, when you send them money you won't get closure from all this.

- Reporting these people to the BBB is useless. Think about it. Do you really think that these people care about their BBB rating? After all, did YOU visit the BBB to see how Chelsea and Associates is rated? Of course not, why would you.

Besides, remember that the BBB is NOT an enforcement agency. They don't go after companies, they don't contact or work with law enforcement or prosecutors to shut these people down. So don't waste your time complaining to the BBB.

- As someone else said, each state has what is called a "statute of limitations" on collecting a debt. On debt collection most states use the statute of limitation on agreements in writing (contracts) and mandate the statute of limitations on "claims based a writing" applies. For example, in California the 4-year statute of limitations on contracts applies to credit agreements. A creditor has four years from your breach of the agreement within which to file an action to enforce the agreement and collect the debt. (Say that due to unexpected financial hardship you stopped paying your debts in 2005. Creditors would have four years from 2005 within which to sure you to collect the money. After 2009-10, the credit agreement cannot be enforced because "the statute of limitations has run."

- Warning: The statute of limitations expiring does NOT prohibit a creditor or collection agency from suing to collect on the debt, or for Chelsea and Associates from continuing to attempt debt collection. the statute of limitations running is an "affirmative defense" or challenge to the claim that it is unenforceable because the statute of limitations has run. Courts will kick out a case on seeing you are correct, that the SOL has run, the debt is unenforceable.

- Warning: Reaffirmation - DO NOT IN ANY WAY MAKE A STATEMENT OR TAKE AN ACTION THAT A COURT WOULD DECLARE IS REAFFIRMATION OF THE ORIGINAL DEBT. An example is best: Chelsea & Assoc. calls. You say into a tape recorder "Oh, I do feel bad about not paying that money. I want to pay it back, I WILL PAY IT BACK." (That's a reaffirmation and starts a new statute of limitations period, from the date you made that statement.

Same thing if you send them even $1. Sending money is legally a reaffirmation of a debt.

- If you want to help put these people out of business that's fine, but remember it is really difficult to assume that fight on behalf of others. These people are masters at NOT giving any evidence that you might forward on to law enforcement to investigate.

Odds are that law enforcement is not going to bother with this anyway. They have bigger fish to fry, they know that catching these people is extremely difficult, and ultimately it is a swearing match between you and the caller. Besides, much of what they are saying is perfectly legal, and protected by the First Amendment (that would prohibit the government from interfering with their conducting of business).

And these criminals are playing the odds. They know that the likelihood of you contacting law enforcement or consumer agencies is slim to none, that the attorney general, for example, is not going to investigate these kinds of crimes, that they have defenses (attempt to collect what they thought was a legitimate debt), and that there's no chance of getting led away in handcuffs.

Remember, these criminals could care less what you think. They are hardened, to where your yelling or swearing falls on deaf ears. The only thing they care about is the success of their con, measured by whether or not you whip out the debit card to send them money.

In these situations what is most important is your well being and safety. Do don't pick up calls from numbers you don't recognize, or those that show "unknown caller."

Don't call these people back, don't respond to them in any way. That's the best and first line of defense against these cons.

Note: Yes, the scammer could well be calling the former owner of your phone number. That does not matter, don't pick up the phone to tell them that, nor to tell them they have the wrong person and to stop calling. (They won't stop calling.)

And above all else, don't reaffirm a debt.

I gotten exactly same company& same person name William white from Chelsea associates this guy have been harassing me for over a year. I paid this fool 2 times but I refuse to pay him another dime this man won't give me any receipts. So I been asking for an receipts for 3 months . I been scam!
What should I do?

then tyler, you are an idiot for giving these scum any money!

They also use this number: 949-468-5088. I just reported them to not only the BBB but also to the FTC. They are trying to trick people into paying for something that they've never had. I've called them back to tell them that I never owned any property and then they said you owe credit card debt. I told them that I didn't, and they told me to call Chase Bank's fraud department. I did and they said that I never had an account with them. Yet, they continue to call, saying the same thing: you owe property debt. Unbelievable!

His name is not Scott

Most of them are ex cons..don't give them any info. They are not going to take you to court
They are using fake names
They don't have a attorney working for them
They debt they're calling on is too old to collect on.
I bet they are high or drunk when they call
They are in a small office in Irvine near John Wayne airport

File your complaint with the FDCPA

Report them to the FDCPA they breaking all kinds of collections regulations and Laws

Don't pay them; they can't do anything to you, those accounts are very old and past the statue of limitations..

Don't pay them; they can't do anything to you, this accounts are very old and past the statue of limitations..

Did they take money out of ur bank? Do u think its a scam?

chelsea and associates uses  Mailboxes Irvine.  its just a retail  mailing center. Their not even brave enough to use there own business address. Probably work out of their mothers basement, where they live!

A man named SCOTT CHURCHILL FROM CHELSEA & ASSOCIATES IN IRVINE, CA just called me and told me someone had filed a civil complaint against me.  I hung up.  I KNOW A LOT ABOUT CIVIL LAW SINCE I AM AN ATTORNEY.  I live in another state.  It makes pretty much no sense why someone would file a civil complaint against me across state lines.  He then called back and left a message.  I researched "Chelsea & Associates" out of Irvine, CA and only found and empty Facebook page.  I became enraged and called back.  I told the assistant that I was an attorney and that I researched the California Bar and their law office is unlisted.  I asked for the physical address for their company since I know they are fraudulent.  She did not answer me and referred me to an "investigator."  I began yelling at him, calling him a fraud, telling him I am an attorney and I know that no one filed a complaint against me.  He quickly hung up, saying he had the "wrong person."  THESE PEOPLE ARE SCAMMERS!  DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION AND DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED!  TELL THEM YOUR BROTHER, FATHER, SISTER, ETC. IS A LAWYER AND YOU KNOW THAT THEY ARE CRIMINALS!  TELL THEM YOU ARE GOING TO REPORT THEM TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.   YOU HAVE THEIR CONTACT INFO AND CAN EASILY DO IT!

1-800-449-0097
called my sister in law saying she was in a civil complaint case and the property was going to be liend on, she didn't even own the property. I called and was transferred, then hung up on. I called asking for katherin morris, and never got that person, called again was transferred to 3 different "legal" departments when the final guy came on he threatened me and told me not to get loud with him, I said your a scammer, your illegal and your harassing me, you cant do anything. he said we will sue you, you will pay the irs we will 1099 you, I said try it, id like to see it, you lying you cant do anything, your company is a fraud...he hung up. that's that.!!

949-542-6871 called and said  i was being sued by cps.said they tried to serve me and could not  then rattled off my ss# would not tell them who i was so the lady named barb called me drug addict and alcoholic, funny i do not even drink. anyway they will not stop calling distant friends and relatives saying i am being  sued and they need to reach me. supposedly howard & assoc. in  CA.

Also, if they are repeating your SSN#, even the last 4 digits, be on the safe side and call Trans-Union (800-680-7289) to report possible fraud. These are low-lives, better safe than sorry!

The people that you are to file with are the CFPB. I was just informed today that it is out of the FTC's juristiction. the number to call is 855-411-2372.  These people have called a family member threatening to take their home and calling my work threatening to sue them.  Like all of you this is a debt that was years ago or for some of you, non-existent . Ignore these people's calls and don't give them any info. As I was speaking to the authorities they were flabbergasted at their stupidity. They are DUMBER THAN ROCKS people!!!  Don't answer their calls! If enough of us report this , they will continue to be investigated and hopefully will be shut down.

I too have received calls (many) from this company I have filed a complaint with the Ag. Dept. They investigated and could find no information on this company. Are there any other places I can complain too? I have lots if useful information.

These guys called my father's house and sent me a letter in the mail.  I guess my question is, do these letters they send out not constitute mail fraud?  A pattern of fraud demonstates an ongoing conspiracy to commit multiple felonies.  How is this type of thing not being looked at by DOJ as a racketeering case?

Calling for my sister on my cell number. They claim they will be putting some sort  lien on my property. When I called they just hang up on me.

Let's see. . . Call's about debts, that people forgot about. Now if someone was happy with the outcome of a situation why would they search the number? Find, and come to 800 notes (that says it's a scam). Then post happy thoughts, all done after the fact. Well, on 800 notes only one class of pond scum does that. Shills. No one, I repeat, no one comes to 800 notes because they're happy. We are dealing with telemarketers, foreign criminals, scam artists, creatures of the netherworld. See such a comment here? Mark it as "Suspect".

Looks like same shill as above with different posting ID.  Lame lies.

You're a shill for these scammers!

They confirmed your ss# but didn't ask for any of your info.  How, exactly, does that work?

Seems like the bottom feeders are trolling this forum. Get a real job

These people called me and left a message saying that I had 24 hrs to get ahold of them or else. Like a fool I called them back and stayed on the phone as he berated me for not paying a CC debt, I have never had a MC EVER. They had the address that the card was submitted and I did live there but not till over a year later! he had the last four of my SS and most of my previous addresses. He said the card was open from 1999-2009, which is bull. name a single cc company that would keep a delinquent account open for 10 years???? I allowed this scum bag to bring me to hysterical tears and in that I am livid! Do not give these bottom feeders the satisfaction of getting upset, do not even call them back or do and give them a piece of your mind!! The first women that called was Elizabeth Harrington then I spoke with a male. Beware!!!!