347-416-5140

This number called and threatened that I had a state investigation out on my social security number (which he knew) ironically, this was the exact same person who called me a couple months ago from another fraudulent business (424-901-0138, you can find more info at www.bbb.org) The caller from the 347-416-5140 number however, sounds just like the other number that had called, but he has a new business name plus he claims his name is "Richard Brown"

He called me to, but his name was Ron.... He left a message on my answering machine and said that I am the most pathetic person in the whole world, that I am crazy and useless. Who are these people???

For at least the last four years, possibly longer, a group has been calling former payday loan applicants advising them that they have defrauded a bank and are now being sued for non-payment of a loan.  The callers will claim to be calling on behalf of an attorney's office (name varies), the Dept. of Law and Investigation, ACS, or other similar combinations below:

United Legal Processing Division
Midline Marketing
Crime Monitoring Services
Monetary Crime Division
U.S. National Bank
Attorney General’s Office (usually in California)
American Legal Services
Affidavit Consolidation Services (ACS)

You will be threatened with arrest, a costly trial and possibly worse.  In no shape, way or form can you be arrested for non-payment on a consumer debt.  Do not believe these threats, as they are without merit and cannot be carried out in the manner they allege.  

Who are they?

In the past when pressed by law enforcement for an address, the callers have provided the following information:

David Morgan and Associates
Morgan & Associates
Morgan Associates
954-727-8481
1155 Northwest 85th Street
Wintergarden, Florida  33150
(Address is likely invalid)

The collector's MO matches a once legit collections agency called Ellis Crosby & Associates.  Here are some links on them:

http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/ellis_crosby_and_associates.htm
http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/EllisCrosbyJudgment.pdf

They have been previously fined over $1.3 million for various violations.  They have been known to use phone banks in India to make their calls, which more or less coincides with the difficult to understand accent many of us detect when we are contacted.  

The last time this group went by any "official" name was back in 2008:

Ellis Crosby & Associates / Douglas & Morgan Associates
4494 Southside Boulevard Suite #200
Jacksonville Florida 32216
Phone:  800-928-3536 / (904) 928-3536
(Address is likely invalid)

There are NUMEROUS consumer alerts out against this group of individuals:

Florida:
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061107/met_176207561.shtml

Kansas:  
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ks_debt_collection.html

Colorado:  
http://www.coloradoattorneygeneral.gov/press/ ... lls_likely_orig

Rhode Island:  
http://www.collectionscreditrisk.com/news/rho ... -3002135-1.html

West Virginia:
http://www.wvago.gov/internetloanscam.cfm

Missouri:
On July 15th, 2010 a Public Awareness Bulletin was sent out by Missouri Information Analysis Center.  

"..received reports from individuals in Ohio and Illinois reference suspicious telephone calls they received. In both instances, the callers are reporting that a voicemail is received from a man, with a Middle Eastern accent, identifying himself as an officer working with the Financial Crimes Unit.  The message indicates that the reason for the call concerns a loan made by the receiver or someone in the receiver's family. The voicemail requests that a return call be made and a telephone number is provided. When a return call is made, the caller is asked to provide personal identifying information such as their date of birth and social security number.

Reports indicate that the calls are frequent and persistent and that they even threaten arrest or legal action if information or money is not provided. It appears that the individuals making these calls may have access to some records connecting individuals and their relatives.  Missouri does not have a Financial Crimes Unit and all indications are that this is a fictitious agency. If you receive a similar phone call, please be advised that it is a scam and please contact your local law enforcement agency or the Missouri Information Analysis Center at 866-362-6422."

Bottom line:

Do not supply the callers with any additional information.  Inform them you have reported them to law enforcement and hang up.  If you haven't already, go ahead and report the calls to local law enforcement, your state's Attorney General and beyond.  Look up the local Secret Service branch's information in your area and get in contact with an agent there.  

If you ever applied for a cash advance online, your information is out there.  
Possible sources for the breach of your privacy are:

* The scammers obtained your information from Teletrack - a reporting agency used by many cash advance lenders to determine their risk lending to you.  The service is able to tell cash advance lenders if you have existing loans with other companies, for example.  Many state laws prohibit borrowers from having more than two cash advances out at the same time.

* The scammers created their own fake payday loan application site.  People looking for a cash advance went to the site and applied, thus freely providing the scammers with their information for malicious use at a later time.  

* The scammers were able to get into the database(s) of cash advance lenders - probable targets being Sonic Payday and Cashnet USA.  


How to protect yourself:

* Inform your employer.  You are likely getting calls at home and/or at work, so make sure your employer is aware the calls are part of a scam and to not take them seriously.  Advise the callers that they are no longer allowed to call you at work.  If they continue to call, document the date and time of the calls you received.  Save voice mails left if at all possible.  

* Change your number(s).  For some this may not be an option, for others a one-time number change can be done free of charge.

Be advised - any references you listed on your payday loan application will be contacted.  Let those people know that this is a scam, and they can disregard.

* Use Google Voice.  Google Voice is a great replacement voice mail system for just about any phone number you use.  Messages can be transcribed and voice mail recordings can be saved as mp3 files.  

Pro Tip - call the scammers with a Google Voice number before turning off your old phone numbers.  Make sure when you call you identify yourself so they can start up their script.  At any point after they have your information pulled up just hang up.  They will then start religiously calling your Google Voice number.  At this point, you are free to change your regular phone number(s) and enjoy not having these people ever call you again.  (And laugh at the fact these people are basically talking to a brick wall several times a day)

The scammers change their numbers frequently.  Law enforcement used to think it was because the callers ran out of minutes on their prepaid wireless accounts or they were shuttered due to fraud, but now they understand it's simply to evade detection by savvy consumers online.  With the proliferation of VoIP, it's even easier for the crooks to stay a couple of steps ahead of law enforcement.  Below is just a sampling of the 30+ numbers that have been used in recent memory.

1-201-244-7722
1-209-349-7382
1-209-797-2212
1-212-500-0839
1-213-256-0408
1-213-995-3039
1-281-763-0433
1-347-289-3902
1-347-844-6817
1-347-844-6831
1-424-354-4270
1-516-232-8905
1-516-232-8935
1-518-212-0219
1-561-300-8018
1-561-210-4185
1-626-200-4646
1-631-456-4041
1-646-274-1143
1-646-810-8635
1-650-241-4604
1-707-401-4056
1-707-633-2789
1-708-401-0535
1-716-442-2824
1-717-862-4080
1-718-705-8669
1-760-514-0132
1-760-563-5384
1-772-318-4938
1-850-201-1111
1-858-777-1977
1-859-908-2281
1-866-860-4509
1-877-226-7488
1-888-706-7463
1-888-771-9249
1-888-785-4479
1-909-327-4870

So can they really do anything to you?

It's not a simple yes or no answer.  Logic dictates that, if they really wanted to take you for a ride and drain your bank accounts, they already would have.  

So, why haven't they?  

Authorization.  

Why do you think you are being called so much?  Perhaps it is because they like the sound of your voice?  No, they have to have your authorization to take any form of payment from you, period.  The callers know their audience, and that audience is typically a bunch of people that have applied for payday loans in the past.  Most of those people they call couldn't afford an attorney if they wanted one, and are so used to receiving collections calls that so long as they sound like a real collector, they will likely be perceived as one.

Furthermore, they don't even really want to talk to your attorney - that just sounds official and scary enough.  A real attorney would take the callers to task and write them off as two-bit con artists.  The callers need you, in writing, to authorize payment against the fictitious debt they claim you owe.  Go ahead, ask them for proof you owe the debt - more commonly known as verification of debt.  See what they say.  A phone authorization carries very little weight, so if they have something signed by you on file, you are done for - and the callers know that.  That authorization is the only thing these callers are doing by the book, and for good reason.  If they just went all willy nilly and made an ACH debit from your checking account, without your written approval, you could in turn report the transaction as fraudulent to your financial institution.  In about 7-10 business days, you would get the funds returned to your account.  Then the scammers would be up against a bank and their team of lawyers and investigators.  

Bottom line:

If you haven't paid the callers a dime, don't.  If you planned on paying them to shut them up, just don't.  Remember - you are not being contacted by a legally licensed, ethically owned and operated collector.  Read up on the FDCPA - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf - and know your rights.

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143/3

Scam bill collection call, they continue to call on a weekly basis!

Thank you for your clarification. You are absolutely right. I never applied for loan but are getting pletty of these calls. First they wanted to reposess my white car if I don't pay (which I don't have one).  Then it was a black car (which I still don't have). Then it was a loan (which I never even applied for). When I asked them to tell me when that loan was deposited in the bank account, they couldn't even tell me what month nor the Bank name. I told them to send me all the paperwork they have and not to call me again. That person told me that would be illegal. Yeah, right!!! I told him that is a bunch of lies and that I've been to law school and know the law. That was a few months ago and they didn't called me again. Now they are trying again to get my personal information. After I told him that my phone is being taped and said the words "Operator this is the call" and hung up. That person called me back and told me all kind of names on my answering machine. Got you!! Don't let them scare you, there is nothing they can do!

Thanks for all the info. Same thing happened to me. Caller from phone # 347-416-5140 is using the names Leon Johnson and Ron. He says he is an attorney and works with attorney Mark Brown. Wanted me to write a letter in my own handwriting stating that "I apologize for my debt" and a whole bunch of other stupid stuff. Of course I did not. He also wanted me to verify the last 4 digits of my ss# (which he had). I will be making a police report as soon as possible.

I have been scammed by this number Ronnie Cooper was his name  He terrorized me on the phone and i relented and paid got me once but will not get me again... 2nd call came today from530-344-4624    a jimmy brown saying the police were coming and I owed 1599.99. he gave me an address in california  which is bogus I have contacted both state and federal authorities about this dont be afraid just report it to authorities.....

A person called me at that number: 347-416-5140, and left a threatened message; don't take them seriously...

I just got a call from Ronnie Cooper saying that I owed money and that I'm going to be sued.....I told him to sue.

I've had the same types of calls, from several different phone numbers.  Today it was from 347-416-5140.
I googled the number and played the message he left.  "Richard Brown" said that he wanted my "retained attorneys" number.  I said that he didn't need it, but that the attorney general here in my state would be contacting him.  He "thanked" me, and I hung up on him.
I get some perverse pleasure in turning the tables on these people!!  
Come on!  Richard Brown?  He'f have a better chance of my believeing him if he said his name wasLav Malik!!!

Same thing for me ... wanted me to send a fax saying intend to make payment and gave me a court document number to refer to

I too received a call from these pathetic people at my job today. Asked to speak to my supervisor, said I was going to be criminally prosecuted. wouldn't give me any dates or other information. I told them they were crazy and hung up. When I got home from work had another message on my machine from them. Same threatening tone, same middle eastern accent and this one even had the nerve to say god bless.

Got a voice mail from "Richard Brown" asking that either I or my attorney contact him and not to disregard this message.

Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans

Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010  FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

— filed under: Press Release

The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.

According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim’s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims’ relatives, friends, and employers.

Some fraudsters have instructed victims to fax a statement agreeing to pay a certain amount, on a specific date, via a pre-paid Visa card. The statement further declares the victim will never dispute the debt.

If you receive these calls, do not follow the caller’s instructions. Rather, you should:

Notify your banking institutions.
Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file.
Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger.
File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:

Never give your Social Security number—or personal information of any kind—over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. The e-mail may include upsetting or exciting but false statements to get you to react immediately.
Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that request personal information.
Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and security patches have been applied.
Check your bank, credit, and debit card statements regularly to make sure that there are no unauthorized transactions. If anything looks suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.
When you contact companies, use numbers provided on the back of cards or statements

http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710

I am receiving a phone call from 347-416-5140 stating I have criminal investigation going on and criminal charges will be filed on me for a debt of which I know who I owes. They have my account information and they even stated before they was ACS and now today they are Financial Law Department, I need to speak with the Senior Attorney. They have accent with their speaking. I am tired of them calling me....they will not give you any information.

The person who is calling me is Adam Smith.

I am receiving a phone call from Adam Smith which he stated he is calling from Financial Law Department which last month it was the Financial Crimes Uit, ACS, Department of Law and Investigation, the number is 347-416-5140. They are stating a charge has been filed against me. They state the information has been sent to my attorney and than turn around ask if you have attorney and I stated yes and he scream you need to speak to our Senior Attorney. I know they are supposed to provide to you with all the information of the company name within 3-5 business days which they told me it is against the law to reveal the company name and phone number. When I ask him what does this pertain to and he said oh you need to speak to our senior attorney. I told him I will call you back and he wants to know the exact time. He has accent, its the same man who had called me last month and left message at the end God bless you. I had contact Cash Advance America whom they stated I owe the debt to and they said it was scam going around. Please be careful. I had to block the number from coming through my phone. I am going to have to report these calls to the police, they are harrassing me.

Please tell me  how I am able to get the number 347-416-5140 to please stop calling my job back to back. Adam Smith stated some threaten things to you and he do not want to release any information to you but he has my account number, my job and my address which is scary. He claims I owe a debt which is owed by Cash Advance America. The call came around December 16, 2010 and it started back up today, January 4, 2011, he stated he had tried to work with me and he is going to release it to the court right now to file those charges against me. He said to contact him for the case number. I had never received anything in the mail. When I spoken to Claudia Jones she would not send me anything by email nor mail for I can go over the affadivt which was read to me and had alot of false information. These people are very sick. They will not give up until they get what they want. I cannot get the address of the company. The phone  he calls from is changing and he is leaving message on my job phone which is inappropriate. What to do?

Yep Adam Smith!  (If that's really your name).  I've been getting he same calls pretty regular. Then today I got one from a Jeff Morrison, (I think).  All have come from the same area of NY.  Actually the number traced back attached itself to some sort of On Line Mall on the internet.

Try this.  The last time "Adam" called, I said hold on one second, let me get him. I put the phone down,  then I took a shower and cleaned up the house.  If nothing else, hopefully it kept him from calling some of you all for a while.

I have gotten NUMEROUS calls from this 'law firm' people with heavy accents claiming that i defaulted on a payday loan..i am changing my cell phone # immediately i had no choice...i did not take out a loan for $500 nor have i seen any documentation or served any court documents stating i did.