617-600-4177

Got a call from this # today - for a distant relative.  Said it was about a civil investigation and advised to contact "my" attorney.

Used my First and last name automated message claiming I was named a respondent in a court action and must appear. Call from MA, I live in NV. They left a Claim number and said me or my lawyer need to call back in 24-48hrs. the message ended with "Good Luck"

Got a similar call like AJ and I'm in NV also.  Said there was going to be a restraining order on my.  I haven't been in Mass. since the 70s.  Yeah, right.

Got my 2nd call from this number {617-600-4177} same issue...give to my attorney...called back, sat on hold, no one ever answers and when you try to leave a message, the mailbox is conveniently full every time.. I live in AZ and got this call from MA - never been there..

I got the same call... 2nd time they called. I have never been in MA, and they have my maiden last name... I never use it.. very fishy call..

Got 4 calls from this number used my name & last 4 of my ss # but gave a wrong DOB when I said I wanted to dispute whatever the matter was because I thought my identity was stolen again they said the would send police to my house but no one ever came... The company said I had a credit card in MA & I live in AZ I've never even been there...

OK, so here's the scoop on this number. It's a bull [***] debt collection agency by the name of Central Processing Network. They are located in Boston or Quincy, Massachusetts

If you do manage to talk to them/him, If he tells you he is representing a bank, or any other firm (other than him self)... he is lying and based FDCA title 8 section 803 he is defined as a collector and has to be truthful. Any thing else is not true and against the federal law to state. Also, any threats to send the police are also against federal law. AND... to threaten to sue, unless he FULLY intends to do so is also against the federal law.

When you talk to him, first tell him you are recording the conversation. Then state that as a debt collector they are required by federal law to give you their address so you may request "documentation of proof of debt". If he isn't willing to do so, then tell them that they are required by federal law and since they are not willing, you consider this issue closed. Any further contact will result in a complaint being filed and litigation.

Got the same message as described above my many folks here. that I was a part of a civil suit and that I had to contact my attorney with a certain case number and also was provided a number to call back. This is absolutely ridiculous. Is there any place to report these thugs?

Same call.  They used my middle name which I never use for anything.  Do what now?  Just ignore it?

this is very annoying they need to stop

Same as the rest. Told me a civil case has been filed and gave a case reference number. Told me to call 617-600-4177, and to contact my lawyer and appear in 24 to 48 hours and that a restraining order has been filed against me.

Same as the rest. I told them I work for the government and they hung up on me.

Got the same kind of message as everyone else except they also called my husband cell phone. They called my cell phone and house phone. What actions do I have to take to put a stop to these calls

i got the same call it is a scam they never tell you nothing about it

I got the same kind of message as everyone else.   They called me asking for my sister.   They was saying that she used my husband for reference for a visa card in 2008.   I didn't meet my husband until 2011.  My sister didn't even know him back then.   They said that she needs to contact them along with her lawyer to settle the matter.   They told her that she needs to come to court to contest this matter in massachusetts in 24 hours.  We reported this to the Better Business Burea.  We are going to contact our law enforcement.  We have been calling this number and a gentlemen keeps hanging up on us.

Just got a call today -08/23/13

Same as everyone else- number to call back (617) 600-4177 gave me claim & Affisative number and said they were the civil investigation unit.


What should we do about this?

What to do - NOTHING!  A phone call is in NO WAY a legal way to contact you.  IF you really had a debt, you would be informed of the situation by MAIL.  I'll  bet they didn't even give you their company name.

I got a call today called back voice mail full. so will wait for call back

I received 4 calls from this number, 3 on Friday with no messae, then the 4th time they call my daughters cell phone left file number etc , civilsuit and the same BS everyone else has mentioned  Never heard a court order being against you and it using an your name coming out automated....Really?!  LOL

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/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

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://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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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."
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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.