310-929-8483

I received a call on my WORK phone from this number and tho I picked up on the first ring, they hung up and left a message. It was a man with a heavy foreign accent who said his name was Matthew something (he was VERY hard to understand); he said this message was for me (stated my name) and said I must return the call to this number ASAP and if I didn't, then "I feel sorry for you".  Never said who the call was from or what it was pertaining to, only that it was time sensitive.  Sounded very threatening, too.  Does anyone know who this is>

Consumer Alert: Attorney General warns Kansans of debt collection scam

January 29, 2010 -- Attorney General Steve Six is cautioning Kansas consumers about telephone calls from apparent fake debt collectors who are impersonating law enforcement officers in an effort to extort money from consumers.   Consumers are warned to not submit payments to these fraudulent debt collectors.

When calling, the scammers most often state they are attempting to collect a debt related to an internet payday loan obtained by the consumer, but which the consumer never repaid.  Consumers state they have never obtained such a loan or paid off the loan years ago.  The scam artists have most recently identified themselves as ACS, National Affidavit Processing Department and United Financial Crime Division, but may use additional phony names.  It appears the phone numbers used by the scammers are “spoofed” numbers, so that the number appearing on a consumer’s caller ID is not the actual number of where the call originated. It appears the calls in question may be originating from outside the United States.

When questioned, the individual calling refuses to disclose the full name or address of the collection agency they claim to represent.  These scammers have been able to provide consumers with identifying information, such as the consumer’s social security number, home address, e-mail address, names of family members and the consumer’s computer IP address.  Since the callers are able to provide valid personal information, consumers may become confused and believe they are being contacted in regard to a legitimate debt.

If the initial debt collection scam is unsuccessful, consumers have been re-contacted months later with the scammers posing as law enforcement officers or officers of the court.  Typically, the consumer is threatened with arrest for fraud or some other fictitious crime unless the consumer agrees to immediately wire money via Western Union.  The fictitious officers strive to frighten and confuse consumers into compliance by using legal sounding terms such as “We’re filing an affidavit against you” or by stating a lawsuit has been or is in the process of being filed against the consumer.

A hallmark of each scam has been calling consumers repeatedly at their place of employment.  This scam hit home when an employee of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office was repeatedly called both on her cell phone and at work.  Despite the employee’s repeated verbal disputes, the caller refused to provide any identifying information to allow her to send a written dispute. The scammer also continued to call her numerous times a day regarding a payday loan she denied obtaining. Two months later, she was again contacted by telephone by an individual identifying himself as an “officer”.

“I denied owing the debt and refused to pay without being provided validation of the debt. I was then told, ‘If that’s the case, I will have local law enforcement come to your place of business and drag you out kicking and screaming’,” stated the employee.

“It is important for consumers to know their rights under the law,” Attorney General Six said. “If a consumer is receiving calls from a debt collection company and believe it is a scam, I encourage them to contact our office immediately.”

Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors are required to send consumers a written notice within five days of the initial contact.  The notification should contain  information such as the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed and a statement informing the consumer they have thirty days to contact the debtor in writing to dispute the debt or request validation of the debt. In addition, legitimate debt collectors are prohibited by the FDCPA from making false or misleading representations, such as the consumer has committed a crime, implying nonpayment will result in the consumer’s arrest, or using the threat of violence.

More information is available on the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf.

To register a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, call 1(800) 432-2310 or visit www.ksag.org.

http://www.ksag.org/page/consumer-alert-attor ... collection-scam

I received a call from a 901 area code number. The person had a very heavy accent. He stated that I needed to call 310-929-8483 to talk to their attorney. They stated that the attorney's office name is called Federal Collect Law Firm. I asked what company he was with but he did not state any company. I never received a letter from these people either. I decided to look up the number to figure out what company this is with. When I looked it up it states that it was unpublished but the number is located in Avalon, CA. What should I do?

I received four calls from 310-929-8483 today at work.  It seems he calls both of your lines at the same and leaves two messages.  One with a threatening message and the other is a hang up call.  He has an extremely heavy accept and claims his name is John Allen, which obviously due to accent I doubt that is his real name.  He stated he can "only wish me good luck.... as this situation unfolds upon me".  Hmm, sounds like a criminal threat and given I do not know who he really is and why he is calling.  I might as well make a nice little pretty police report.  This person is a fraud.  I hope he is reading this. You will get caught...

Hello,

I have been getting calls from this number (310) 929-8483 and the gent with a very thick accent says his name is John Allen and it's regarding  legal issue and he also reads to me in the message the last four digits of my social security number.  I have no idea who Federal Collect Law Firm is or who these people are.

I have been receiving these calls too.  There were 2 guys who sounded very similar (both heavy accents)...Michael Harris and Jack Wilson.  They stated the same things as you just mentioned...I am being forced into contacting an attorney.  I just got off the phone with them 20 minutes ago and have since called my bank.  I had them check for any irregular deposits made and they found nothing.  He also warned it could be a scam so I got on Google and found this.  The caller knew my employer, my bank, phone/email, family members.  They claimed to be representing First Exchange Bank for a payday loan.  The caller was able to tell me the amount I am being 'sued' for but was NOT able to tell me date of the alleged payday loan deposit NOR the amount.

I just received a call not too long ago. Said I took a payday loan out, and called and verified the last 4 of my social. Then they named some names of family members, and said I put them down as a reference. Don't know who the hell they are but they said they are suing me. Guy said did I have a lawyer, and I said no, he said well u betta get one, and hung up. I doubt they really take this to court, I never signed anything.

Harassment and threats made by phone are still feloneous. If ur reading we're closer than u think. Beware phone fraud ur goin down.

this is a major scam.  I got a call from this number and another one.  What is interesting they have your information like your social security number, references you may have used, address, work and contact phone numbers, email addresses, bank and employer.  They state that they are from a  Crime or Law agency or some other agency.  They then tell you that you owe a payday loan company or a bill that you have never heard of. The company that I supposedly owed was a Quickpaydayloan, but I have never dealt with the company.   I was told that I had to pay 5000.00+  or I was going to get 3 felonies for doing interstate check fraud.   Then they tell you if you pay a smaller amount then you would be ok.  I was supposed to pay 998.00 by 5 pm that day or they would be persuing me in court. I asked them to fax me the information so that I could have a record of who or what it was about and of course they stated they could not until after I paid the money and then I would get records and conformation information that the account is paid in full.   They stated me and my references would be going to court and they were going to contact them also.  They are very threatening.  What they fail to realize is I am a fraud investigator with my job and I question everything.   I played the game with them by going back and forth on the phone.  I acted as if  I was going to pay them but they had to give me time to get the money together but in the process I was making calls and checking out the phone number.  The problem with this is that most people do not realize that these types of cases are  civil and not criminal.  I called the FBI and this is very common.  They stated the people have hacked into some system and it could be a legitimate company, not a payday loan company, mine had to be when I was taking out a mortgage to do home repairs.  They are in another country but working with someone here in the US.  They can stream a phone number and it looks like that are calling from a legitimate US phone number.  The man called me back because he thought that he had me and I was going to pay and he requested my debit card number but I had to give a statement that I, my name, am authorizing the creditor to debit the amount from my account and then sign it and put my SSN on it.  When I asked who the creditor was, I was told that I needed to write the statement just the way they said it.  I asked why I could not put Quickpaydayloan or whatever the company was that I was supposed to be paying as they declared that the whole 998.00 was going to the company and not them and this was why I had to put the word creditor on it.  Later I called them back and asked for the man I had been dealing with and told him that I contacted the FBI, needless to say I have not heard from them again and I have no pending criminal or civil suits.  I also keep a check on my credit and bank account like the FBI said I needed to do as they cant do anything to the people until they steal your money.

The same thing happened to me today... I don't know how this idiot got my work number but I also got a something allan.... He left a very threatening voicemail saying that if he doesn't hear back from me, all he can say is good luck to me and my attorney....??? I called him back and asked to speak to someone who could speak clear english and before hanging up on me he said something about coming up with $5000.. Again couldn't make out what he was saying. How do I report this??

I received in the last week 2 or 3 phone calls a day from this number. Everyday they call, they use a different phone number. The history is the same, with the payday loan, bank name, social and everything else. They wanted $900 and my account would be cleared. I told them to wait so I could get my debit card number, I claled the state generals office and when I came back on the phone with them I told them that I had called the FBI and they would be the ones paying me the $900, however they still call everyday.

I have received this call and received the threats along with it.  This man Mike with a heavy accent is very rude and abusive.  I have requested a address from this place and an account number and he will not supply me with any information except $729.88 that he states I owe.  Apparently I am being sued for check fraud and whatever else.  I am just tired of this! My credit is already screwed!