404-920-8657

Mr. Ben Ford called me and claimed to be a criminal investigator. He called my home # asking for my mother & stated she had a criminal investigation on her after talking to him for a minute he stated it was me he actually wanted to talk to about a check written to a company by myself in 2005. He told me I had until 3:00pm calling at 12:30pm to get with my old bank. The check was returned & submitted again by the company, it was paid by my bank at that time. I'm no longer with that bank so to retrieve information from that bank about that account is impossible. Not to mention that bank has merged with another bank so they don't have access to that account in which I did not have the account #. When I asked Mr. Ford for that information so that the bank can access those records to prove the amount that the check was written for was paid and that all I owe that company for is a returned check fee, he refused to give me that information. So what was the purpose of the rude phone call after almost 7 years?

Investigator Ford contacted me on Friday July 20th. He contacted everyone with my last name in my home state. He claims to be a private investigator hired to locate me in regards to a check that was written in 2006. First he said I owed $408. He showed where installment payments were made on the check and they are collecting the balance or I would be charged with a felony. Then Monday he says there was a clerical error. There are 2 checks one for $1500 and $126. I contacted the bank which the account is now a closed account and the fraud department shows that the check cleared and found no record of the $126 . Talk to him today and to ask for the Check # for the $126 check and he says there was a clerical error it's only one check and I needed to pay $1500 today to prevent a warrant for my arrest. So many other details but, this just seems so fishy! He would never give me the names of the company to whom I would be making a payment to. But keeps saying I will get that when I say I'm ready to make a payment..hmmm?? I had my legal representative contact him and he told him he was a private investigator out of Lilburn, GA. Ben Ford 404-920-8657

what was the out come of the matter. He called us as well with the same story (almost exact) but we have not paid any money. Did you find out if it was legit. Or is he trying to collect a debt for something else and is being misleading about it.

He has called me several times with the same story...I believe this is a scam and when I told him that, he got very defensive with me. He used the exact same story as above on me too!!

Actually my husband agreed to pay them thinking it was legit then he cancelled his bank card after he went to the police dept. They told him from the info he gave them it was probably a scam.  Then we got an email from a Blakewood, Lord and assoc. saying that payment was decliined.  They tried 3 times to get the money and all different amounts. 1590.00, then 1400.00 then 1000.00.  How can you just try to get what ever amount you want. This is really crazy. We live in GA and the police said that there was a similar scam going around here. The thing is that he says stuff to scare people like felony, warrant and stuff like that.  When he called he asked for the 1500 that same day and wanted 1500 in 5 days.

Admin Edit: "It's a FAKE comment!"
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I thought it was a scam too, they are not a scam they are a legitment private investigation firm that works for many different companies I did my research thoroughly, I didn't take them seriously and a few weeks after I ignored the call I got served by a process server.  I had to pay to additional fees I wished I would of just settled when they called.  Expensive lesson learned.

Admin Edit: "It's a FAKE comment!"
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You all are the reason why the judidcial system doesn't protect law abiding citizens, who cares if it was from 2005 did you resolve it probably not my check was from 2006 I did my research and its not the merchant who is going after you its the check guarantee company who processed the check people take care of your debts if given the opportunity!!! Stop trying to dog this man out for doing his job and they are not a collection agency they are a private investigation firm.

This entire (404) 920-8657 forum is full of SHILLS! Just read the scare tatics. It's like the Walking Dead in here.

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The Wang response is from someone who probably works for the company and is monitoring these replies. Whenever a legitimate company is doing legal matters for whoever, they will always give you documents pertaining to the situation. If they threaten to take you to court. They are lying. To get a court proceeding, a certify letter will be mail to you. I had my boyfriend look into this Blakewood, Lord and Associate company because he is a real private investigator and stated they are merely a collection company not to far from the Camp Creek area in a Industrial office location. He will keep a eye out on this forum and if he see a pattern of people being harass he will get in contact with the FTC, who job is to correct companies like this. DO NOT PAY THIS CORRUPT COMPANY. It is a shame that people prey on other to prosper. That is not how God intended us to live.

Admin Edit: "It's a FAKE comment!"
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Think u Jill and your boyfriend for looking into this company. I too receive a phone call from this company but it was a female. Probably they one called Lisa Wang. She was rude she upset me. After reading your reply I called my brother and gave him the Blakewood, Lord and Associate info and he located them at the office. He been watching them go in and out of the office. He might hand this case over to the GBI to look into. Think everyone for writing to this forum especially you Jill who got the ball rolling. Companies like these have to go out of business

Admin Edit: "It's a FAKE comment!"
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I just received a call yesterday from this company and was thinking about paying til I google this company name and it brought me to this forum. My dad is a Judge in Dekalb County and I told him about this situation. He will be making some phone calls to see who own this company and the workers, He want to make sure the owners and employees are legitimate and license to work for a collection company. Hopefully they will locate someone who do not suppose to be working in an environment like this.

}  they are not a collection agency

Uh-huh ..... Debt lawyers have tried that ruse, too. The FTC and the courts disagree. Call yourselves anything you like, but when a stranger on the phone makes a debt claim and his salary is not paid by an original creditor, he is a "debt collector" per the FDCPA. A few states apply the same definition to in-house OC collectors. Tell me any different and I will do *my* job of naming you and your boss as "defendant".

} what was the purpose of the rude phone call

In a word, extortion. There is no "criminal investigation" since debt in the States is strictly a civil matter, even from old payday loans both real and imagined. Most debt claims made with such hostility are false and the rest cannot be proven. Bullies like this are violating your state and federal rights. It's not clear from this short thread if the unnamed colllection agency has a US address to receive a summons. It may well be another tiresome South Asian scammer. Anyway, the following linked material should help everyone determine what's so very wrong with the behavior described.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/guidance/supervision/manual/fdcpa-narrative/

Time to shovel out the shills!

Why does this Mr ford state he's a criminal investigator when he's a bill collector.

Paul, Ashey, Jill... couldnt help but notice the remarkable similarity in your grammar patterns. did you all grow up together?
fascinating!

You did your "research thoroughly" yet obviously slept through English classes. You sad, sad shills play the same broken fearmongering records. "legitment" indeed ....

"Criminal Investigator" is a more frightening title, though a false one.

PCHIC, I was born and raise in Atlanta. I do not know about the others. Do you work for Blakewood too

They called everyone associated with my last name about a check in 2007...they claimed I owed on a check from 2007, but they were hesitant to give me who was going after me for the check, who was the guarantor, etc.  I gave them a fake cc and agreed to take care of it, but it looked waay too generic. My bank too could not go back that far so it was definitely fishy. They called people I didn't even know! I wanted to call and curse them out, but I remained calm. Someone PLEASE let me know if this crap is legit or not. The person was Laura Kelly though from 4043484333.