877-373-1970

This number called my son saying they were the FBI looking for me. I called the number to find out what it was about. Person with accent could not tell if hispanic, or indian he stated that I was being charged with Fraud by Fifth Third Bank due to an overdrawn checking account that was closed. Claimed I owed over 2,000. First said I was charged with fraud due to "Mal use" of my checking account, then said it was a lawsuit. I asked where he was located he first said California, when I asked what city, it took him a minute then he said Orange. I asked the name of the attorney charging or suing me, he got angry and started to insult my intelligence. He told me at the beginning of the conversation that he was in charge at Merlin Associates, which I believe he said was a law firm. I asked him why my son was told that they were the FBI and he played dumb.

This is a common ploy by criminals masquerading as debt collectors who are attempting to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged, go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished, be sued, and a variety of other variations on this,  all for an alleged or nonexistent debt.  One of the tricks they use is to call your work place, friends, or relatives repeatedly in an attempt to shame you into paying.  They also use the “process server” ruse who calls and claims he is going to serve you, but then says you could avoid it by calling another number

Read up on your rights here, get template letters to send and also make a complaint at this government site: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices:  http://consumerfraudreporting.org/stateattorneygenerallist.php

Ed Russo from "Merlin and Associates LLC" claims I owe $1200+ for an old bank account with Fifth Third Bank. Said he would wave all the fees and late charges and I would owe roughly $650. Refused to send me this via the mail, he has my correct address and says he already sent it via the mail and it's not his fault I didn't get it and he would be willing to e-mail it to me. Also he said I must act fast or I'll be in federal court for fraud. These people call my home, cell, mom's house and WORK using words like arrest warrant, felony and fraud. Also, upon checking with Fifth Third Bank directly this is a real account number I had for a closed account that was closed in good standing. I don't owe them a dime! How do I make this stop? They claim they are sending "official documents" to my job and have called my work place multiple times on Thursday and Friday. It's embarrassing and annoying to be made to look like I have this hanging over my head and embarrassing to have to explain this to family, friends, and now coworkers and my boss.

You don't have to explain anything to them. You are being targeted by criminal debt collectors attempting to extort money for non-existent debts. That's all you or anyone else needs to know. Print off this thread and show it to your boss. While you are at it, let these scammers know the next time they call you are recording them and intend to have them traced and prosecuted for attempted extortion and wire fraud.

How can I verify whether or not a debt collector is legitimate?
Here are a few warning signs that could signal a debt collection scam:

The debt collector threatens you. Legitimate debt collectors probably won't claim that they'll have you arrested or claim that they or their employees are law enforcement officers.

The debt collector refuses to give you information about your debt or is trying to collect a debt you do not recognize. You have certain rights to ask a debt collector to verify the debt. You can use this sample letter to request this information. Ask for an explanation in writing before you pay.

The debt collector refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number.

The debt collector asks you for sensitive personal financial information. You should never provide anyone with your personal financial information unless you are sure they're legitimate.
If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

Ask the caller for his or her name, company, street address, telephone number, and professional license number. Many states require debt collectors to be licensed. Check the information the caller provides you with your state officials, or the state in which the debt collector holds a license. If the caller refuses or is unable to provide you with information about his company, or if you can’t verify the information he provides, do not give money to the caller or company.

Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." This notice must include:
The amount of the debt
The name of the creditor you owe
A description of certain rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, consider requesting this information in writing or seeking assistance before paying the debt to make sure the debt, and the company, are valid.

Tip: You can consider sending the collector a letter requesting the information by using one of the CFPB's sample letters. You can also submit a complaint to the CFPB or you can contact your state Attorney General’s office.

Do not give the caller personal financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft such as:
Charging your existing credit cards
Opening new credit card or checking accounts
Writing fraudulent checks
Taking out loans in your name

Contact your creditor. If the debt is legitimate – but you think the collector may not be – contact your creditor about the calls. Share the information you have about the suspicious calls and find out who, if anyone, the creditor has authorized to collect the debt.

Report the call. Submit a complaint with the CFPB or get in touch with your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers.

Stop speaking with the caller.If nothing else works and you believe the calls are fraudulent, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files.

Tip: You can use this sample letter to write a letter demanding the debt collector stop contacting you. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.

Tip: If you're having trouble with debt collection, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

In addition to reading Alfalfa's post, read my post and use those links.  They are there to help you.  Also realize this;

They call family, friends, neighbors and/or places of employment (past or present or both) to create panic and embarrassment so that their intended victim calls them and they can scare that person into paying their extortion money.

They hope to scare, embarrass, or annoy you into paying.  Once you have done that they have you and you will receive many more calls since they know they can get you to pay again and again.  They also sell your name to other crooks to call as well.

You are not the first to be in this position, nor are you the last.  But be aware, that there are no "federal fraud charges" or any criminal charges at all with debt.  Even if you didn't pay this alleged bill, they certainly couldn't bring you up on charges.  That is just criminal talk trying to scare you.

Alfalfa and BigA offer better, more helpful advice, however, all those this crook continues harassing can make short work of it by not answering their calls in any way and with patience. The more people they drag into this bogus case, the more confident they're likely to become they'll cheat you out of money. If nobody this joker calls answers (even automatically), there's no way of it working and they're liable to quit wasting time with numbers that lack any answer. They can't play if nobody's taking their calls. Work poses a slight problem since you may have to take every call and it's very possible they'll strike from different numbers. BigA and Alfalfa have told you how to handle that.

They just called me with the same bogus claim the man couldn't get his name out correctly or tell me the name of the bank i owed money to, now remind you I haven't had a bank account in 15 years

yea they called me and said almpst the same thing except they were trying to prevent it from going to dederal court and they dont accept money orders or cash, said he was on my side and  stuff.

voice mail: female voice; she had a cold .. sounded nasel. friendly voice. said "this is a message for Mr Johnson or Debra Jean, about a relative named John Johnson-- that he needs to call for a matter with Mrs. Alba" She had my whole name.
877 373-1970 this is an official matter gave me a case number. #63854. strange .. prob a collection for my cousin, who really does not owe any money.

Sent me a letter saying this is the only notice you will receive and Merlin demands you pay 1,500 dollors 6 days from the date above the date is  April 13 today is 25....

This is all I can find on them.

Nothing on BBB.  No business with the precise name that I can find in the records of the Secretary of State of California.

http://www.merlinandassociates.net/
MERLIN & ASSOCIATES, LLC
1100 Town  and  Country  Rd.  12TH FL
ORANGE, CA 92868

Toll Free Number: 877-373-7970
Fax Number: 714-897-3703

Report them:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection (Threatening civil proceedings with no intent to follow through, or threatening criminal process in order to collect a civil debt is a  violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.)  The same goes for endless telephone harassment

Also contact your local attorney general

If they continue to bother you,  and you know you do not owe any money, tell them that you know this is  a debt scam and that you are making a complaint to the police for extortion.  Once you get a copy of the police report and they call you again , just read out the  file number and the name of the PD or Sheriff’s office involved.   Tell them you’ll be glad to send a copy to them at whatever address the jack***es are working out of now.

You'll probably have to yell at them and talk over them.
You have to get tuff with these people because,  being akin to thugs, brute force is (metaphorically speaking),  the only thing they understand.

Last known address:

MERLIN & ASSOCIATES, LLC
1100 Town  and  Country  Rd.  12TH FL
ORANGE, CA 92868

Report them.  See my and other entries.    These callers are little better than outright extortionists.

Ed Russo helped me finally get things straighten out after all these years of trying to get a debt cleared up. He treated me with respect and never once made me feel uncomfortable. He helped me a lot. Thank you.

Report them:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection (Threatening civil proceedings with no intent to follow through, or threatening criminal process in order to collect a civil debt is a  violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.)  The same goes for endless telephone harassment

Also contact your local attorney general

http://www.merlinandassociates.net/
MERLIN & ASSOCIATES, LLC
1100 Town  and  Country  Rd.  12TH FL
ORANGE, CA 92868

Toll Free Number: 877-373-7970
Fax Number: 714-897-3703

The wonder-working Mr Ed.  Right.  Tell Mr Ed, next time you see him,  that threatening criminal process in order to collect a civil debt is a violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  And I'm pretty sure there are statutory laws against that sort of behavior in California.  I suggest he watch his step.

Well the name of the company is "Merlin".  :)  But on the other hand, if that is truly Mr Ed. Perhaps she paid him in hay and oats?

Hey Gayle you posted the same thing over at their web site 4 days ago, word for word.  Amazing how all of a sudden 4 days ago there were three extremely happy debtors, and one 3 days ago.  But thanks for now making this bunch of thieves a priority to find out who and what and where they really are.  Especially since they gave the state a different address than what is on their web site.

I just received a letter from this company showing a different address.

2400 E. Katella Ave., Suite #800, Anaheim, CA 92806

The letter reads:

This is a notice that a claim has been made against you. Please understand this is the only notice you will receive. Merlin & Associates LLC hereby demands you to pay the amount of $xxx.xx no later than ten (10 ) days from the date of this notice. To make any payment arrangements please contact our office. If you have any disputes the law does require that you notify this office in writing. Faile to make restitution, you could be charged to the fullest extent of the law.

NOTICE

If a Judgement is entered any incidental fees, including statutory charges under the State Law can be held against you.
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i owe nobody a cent and know my credit worthiness. This is nothing but a sham. Police are warning their citizens about an increase in this sort of activity during tax-season. Beware and know that Law Enforcement will never send you a letter or call you prior to arresting you if you have done something illegal. They will show up, cuff you and haul you off to jail. If a court has a judgement against you, you will know it. No court is going to send some crooked debt collection company to utilize illegal practices to collect on a judgement!  I hope that enough of us will contact The Attorney General's Office and get these criminals charged appropriately. Whatever you do; do not pay them a penny! If they were actually able to collect the debt they're stating you owe, you would know it. They're fraudsters buying time until their gig is up.