888-278-8565

Have seen the same song and dance associated with another toll free number on here and a different company name, message left by "John Spencer", regarding a "complaint filed" message goes on to state "if no response within 48 hours the complaint will be formalized and filed within my residing company". Googled the number, no record. Call log gave 321-445-3086. I called, I have no credit issues, man named "Mr Black" claimed I had an old account (I don't), addressed me by a name I haven't had in 20 years, said he had the last 4 of my SS#.

Claimed if I didn't comply they would post on my credit report, said they'd already done an inquiry. Clearly a scam. Said he had something from 2006. Hope this doesn't become a headache.

Received the same message as Southbeach.  I told them it wasn't legit and go ahead and sue me and I will counter sue for damages.  

"David Jenkins" called us today, putting fear into us about a debt from 2003 we didnt know he had, $300 Visa Bill. If you pay today! I can take $x off, just give me your bank info. UGH NO!
How I have purchases 2 cars, a home since then and nothing has shown on my credit! And if you know where I live, why havent you contacted me by mail?

Did you catch the persons name?

I will not call them back then, if its a scam!  They gave me 48 hrs to call them back or they would proceed.  I know I don't have an uncollected debt,  Sucks to be so vulnerable!

I had the same call from the same number. Claimed I had a case in in the courts. They used a name I had not used in years and the last 4 of my social. I told them to explain and they refused and stated they would see me in court and I stated fine and hung up. Scary

Same thing here. Arbitration Resolution left me a message yesterday ( John Spencer). I called today. They were rude and hung up on me when I asked questions. They said they will just take me to court and let the judge decide if I didn't want to settle today. They tried to scare me. They couldn't tell me any info. on who to contact for the company that was collecting. They offered me a settlement. I am extremely upset!!!

Just another scam debt collector, this time from a john spencer at 713 904-1618. Message says they are "arbitration resolution" but apparently they also go by "ars national services" and "legal outsourcing". Three different names, a sure sigh of a scam outfit. Usual message left about legal action being filed in my County if issue not resolved within 48 hours. They said to call back at 888 278-8565. I hope they hold their breath waiting.

https://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassi ... ou-need-to-know
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
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

And see:

https://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad ... 077595690349410
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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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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.

had a message from John Spencer saying there was a legal claim against me , gave a claim reference number, said I had 40 hours to resolve it or they'd sent the matter to county court. I called back the number (888-278-8565); noone answered, then an automated recording said i had reached a "toll free virtual extensions".

I got a call today stating the same thing.  I called the attorney general of texas and they said you cant be arrested or charged with fraud like they claim.  It scared me as well.

got a call yesterday.  they left a voicemail stating I had to return call in 48hrs.  their calling # was 415 area code.  they left vm to call back 1-888-278-8565.  got a random weird voicemail when I called that #.  called again and they hung up when a personal attorney was mentioned and we requested more info.  called back after they hung up and they didn't answer regarding what company they work for.

I received 2 calls from a John Spencer within the past two weeks.  The message stated there was legal action pending against me and gave me a case #,  I was told to call 1-888-278-8565 within 48 hours or it would be turned over to the courts.  I called the number from work knowing my number would be blocked, the phone range 3 times and disconnected, the second time it went into a voice mail.  This is a scam!

Got a call from a John Spencer from Arbitration Resolution and asked for my daughter.      My daughter is 32 years OLD and I am NOT responsible for her crap.     Asked this guy to stop calling me and he continues to do so!!!!!!    VERY RUDE AND ARROGANT.

I too have received 2 calls from this number...same M.O. same blah,blah, blah....Thanks to these posts, the next time they call I will just tell them to contact my attorney....

2nd time receiving call from John Spencer 201-450-9192. He told me a I had To call them because of possible legal action against me. The number to call back is 888-278-8565. I called the number answered and a automated messages said "you've reached Virtual Extensions."  This is truly a SCAM.

Spoofed a local number and left the same message about pending litigation and a case number. This was the same message 'John Spencer' left previously under the company name 'Mandatory Arbitration'. Now they are apparently calling themselves 'Arbitration Resolution'. A scam by any other name is still a scam. Do not call them back with your information.

Is this really a scam?  My boyfriend got the same call and message as all of these posts have stated.  He called the number and they said he owed $7000 from a loan back in 2001, but that they would settle today for $1800.  I told him to tell them to take him to court because they refused to give contact information of the original company that they were representing.  They also said that the only information that they could send him was the arbitration arrangement because they do not have any other information concerning the original loan.  Nothing shows on credit report concerning the initial loan.

If the statute of limitations has expired on the debt, then even a legitimate debt collector would not be able to sue to collect.

Same thing happened to my om however, im worried because they had her social security number ???what should one do if someone else has their social because you cant change your social?