718-705-8669

Recieved a phone call from a man by the name John Foster with an Indian accent, wanted to know my name the only info I gave him was my number since they had it already reported it to the city police.

My friend got a voicemail for ME from that number saying it was Steve Rob or someone and that I was involved with serious legal action. I have no idea what they're talking about.

Received a call from this number at my work.  A man with an indian accent saying I needed to call back and it was time sensitve that I get a hold of them.  Don't know what they want and won't be calling them back since they called me at work.

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

Got repeated calls from a man with an Indian accent who said his name was steve someone. Said if I or my attorney did not call him back, he could "not be responsible for the trouble about to fall on my head." Isn't that a threat?

I too received such a call a week ago but was unable to get to my phone.... Saved the recorded message but can hardly understand a word he said. He said "the name of a friend of mine" had used me as a reference. Then he said she was in some kind of legal trouble and that I urgently needed to call 718-705-8669. Even stranger is that he called me BY MY NAME at my cellphone number but it IS NOT REGISTERED IN MY NAME (but under my sweetie's, as its his plan). I did not return the call. I did, however, call my friend and she assured me that she has NEVER used me as a reference for anything. How these people have my name, cellphone number (not even registered to me) and connect me with my friend is spooky. I have always been extremely cautious as to whom I give my phone number.

Are you on Facebook or MySpace?  If - yes that is probably how these SCAMMERS/CROOKS GOT YOUR INFORMATION


PROTECT YOURSELF!  IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU MUST READ – HOW THE SCAM WORKS AND WHAT AGENCIES TO REPORT THEM TO

LONG RUNNING AND KNOWN SCAM – ALL OVER INTERNET AND NEWS FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW


Fake Debt Collectors – Terrorizing Consumers

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5621205&page=1


MORE ON FAKE DEBT COLLECTORS
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-904-425-9141
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/call4action/17285785/detail.html
http://www.800helpfla.com/newsletter/2008/092008.html

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/01/ks_debt_collection.html   latest release of information on this scam

http://www.wvago.gov/internetloanscam.cfm
If you are targeted by these criminals, be sure to report them to all the following federal and state law enforcement agencies (most of which you can do online or over the phone):
1.    The U.S. Secret Service is responsible for protecting the country's financial infrastructure and payment systems from international and domestic threats. Call or write your local Secret Service field office to alert them to the details of this attempted extortion. The addresses and phone numbers for the local Secret Service field offices are listed at http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml or in your phone book.
2.    Alert the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov Be sure to tell the FBI that you are being targeted by extortionists over the phone. And if the crooks claim to be law enforcement or lawyers, officers of the court or bankers, be sure to include that information in your report.
3.    File a complaint with your local police. Most police departments will take a report over the phone.  Be sure to tell them that you're being targeted by an extortionist and give them all the details.
4.    File a complaint your state's attorney general, the contact information for whom is at www.wvago.gov
5.    File a complaint online with The Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
If these crooks call back, promise them nothing, pay them nothing and tell them nothing other than that you know they're a scam and that you've reported them to law enforcement. (And be sure to report them to all the agencies above each time they call you.)

By the way, here's just a small sample of numbers used by this particular group of scammers. Read the reports and you'll see the same pattern time and again -- phony organization names, thick foreign accents, and oddly worded threats that are so melodramatic and ridiculous that it's laughable:


https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-771-9249   Scammer posting here as GARY and GARRY JONES
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-860-4509   Scammer posting here as Mike Henderson
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-212-500-0839   Scammer posting here as Ricky
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-201-244-7722   Scammer posting as Carole, David Brown and Amanda
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-626-200-4646   Scammer false postings at this new number as silshan kanniue and Tina – preparing a new number to use.
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-424-354-4270   Scammer false postings as Rose
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-785-4479   Scammer posting as Robert
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-909-327-4870   Scammer false postings as Marry
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-646-274-1143   Scammer false postings as Karen Miller, Chichi and Tom Little
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-561-300-8018   Scammer false postings as Marco Polo (real original)
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-226-7488   Scammer false postings as SAM, David S
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-706-7463   Scammer false postings as George
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-209-349-7382   Scammer false postings as Towanda Robinson, Shannon Walsh, Jack Dawson and Cynthia
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-760-514-0132   scammer false postings as Suzy01, Johanna Hall, Cindie McMellon, Michael Dublin, Mark Williams, Carol and Rio   (800notes removed some of the scammers posts because the all came from the SAME IP ADDRESS)
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-209-797-2212   scammer false posting as Jaison Connar
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-707-401-4056   Scammer false posting as John Carner, KSR
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-650-241-4604   Scammer false postings as jhon and Kevin
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-708-401-0535   Scammer false posting here as JHON


Scam alert: Bogus debt collectors
By Leslie McFadden • Bankrate.com
Monday, Aug. 3
Posted 2 p.m.
Bankrate reporter Leslie McFadden contributed this entry.
This scam isn't technically about credit cards, but it is scary enough to post a warning. The Better Business Bureau issued an alert today saying consumers across the country are getting phone calls from bogus debt collectors claiming default on a payday loan. Of course, the consumer needs to pay a large fee to avoid arrest -- as much as $1,000.
The caller poses as a lawyer, and may threaten extradition to face trial if the consumer doesn't pay up immediately.
What makes these calls alarming -- and perhaps convincing -- is that the perpetrators reference the consumer's personal information, such as the person's Social Security number, driver's license number, previous bank account numbers, home address -- even personal references.
"The amount of information they have is really troubling," says BBB spokeswoman Alison Southwick. She adds that the amount of data points to a possible security breach.
Spread the word to your friends and family: Don't give out personal or financial information to an unknown caller. Scammers can spoof Caller ID to display different numbers, so trust your instincts over technology.
The BBB offers these tips:
•    Ask the debt collector to provide official documentation which substantiates the debt.
•    Do not provide or confirm any bank account, credit card or other personal information over the phone until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the call.
•    File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission online if the caller is abusive, uses threats or otherwise violates federal telemarketing laws or the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
•    File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau online if you believe a debt collector is trying to scam you.

claim i am being sued by a payday loan company that i never received they are harassing me at work as well.

these guys are not fraud, they have sent me a court letter at my employer as well as my place, i'd ask my cousin to visit their office in maryland and they are located there.. so don't take this as scam, it's real...

718 is not an area code in the state of Maryland, I believe it is connected to NY state.  Therefore, I have a hard time believing the rest of your statement, as everyone else here does (and should).  I'd say better luck next time with your scam, but that would be completely insincere.

718 is an area code for NY, but their main office is located in maryland.. they are calling from their branch office in NY..

NICE TRY SCAMMER -

you scammers are THE ONLY ONES that claim these CROOKS calling are LEGITIMATE when they are not

ITS NOT WORKING ANYMORE -

THERE IS NO CHRISTOPHER AND JONES LAW FIRM IN EITHER NY OR MARYLAND

iF THEY WERE A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS - WE COULD FIND THEM ON THE INTERNET YELLOWPAGES OR YELLOWBOOK


YOUR CONSTANT LIES CANNOT BE VALIDATED!

it's christopher m johns law firm. check it out.. i got a due letter from them..

BS - first you claim its Christopher and Jones and when  TELL everyone you are lying there is no such Lawfirm -
then you claim its CHRISTOPER M JONES

NO SUCH ATTORNEY REGISTERED IN NY OR MD


you SCAMMERS SEEM TO FORGET - WE CAN FIND ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET - including LICENSED ATTORNEY's and BAR ASSOCIATION WEBSITES!  

NO LICENSE - NOT AN ATTORNEY!

well i am not interested in proving anything.. i'd written for good sake..

I recieved a call from a man claiming to be from an attorney's office trying to collect from a past due debt. !st clue - they had the wrong name. 2nd clue- they had the wrong address. 3rd I never have used a payday loan. 4th they took a guess at the last four numbers of my social hoping I would correct them.

The Scam:
I was told I had a past due loan that I had not paid on from Janruary 20, 2008 in the amount of $350 from an EZ Payday loan company. They had my address as 330 Fairview Rd. I continued to question them even though all the information they gave me was incorrect. I asked how we could resolve this and was told I could pay them by debit or credit card. I asked to send them a check and he said no that I was a debit risk.  I then asked if I could go directly to to supposed place I got the loan and pay them directly. He said I guess you can so I hung up at that point.

This person, Steve Brown from a Christopher M Jones office (I believe) called on June 4th about my friend.  He threatened legal action against her & I if she did not call him back.  I thought it is illegal for a debt collector to threaten people like this - to use a scare tactic.

I received the same call on June 4th, except that if my friend did not call him back, there will be legal action, and it will be too late to help me or her.  Yep, that is a threat, I believe it is illegal.

I, too, received a message from my friend in Colorado that I needed to call a Steve Brown at the law firm.  I called the so-called law firm and spoke to several men with an Indian accent.  When I called the first time I was told that Steve Brown was on another job and wouldn't be until later.  So I called back several hours later and he advised me that I had an outstanding payday loan in the amount of $600 and that if I didn't pay it, they would come and seize my property.  While I was on the phone with this man, I went to the BBB website and did a search for both Maryland and New York for the law firm; nothing was found.  So I asked Mr. Brown this, if I had an outstanding payday loan, don't you think it would be handled by a collection agency and law firm in Oklahoma?  He told me that they often get referrals from other states to handle bad debts.  I then told him that if I had an outstanding payday loan, don't you think it would be reported to the credit bureau.  He told me that small establishments such as the one I owed money to, do not report to the credit bureau.  Finally, because Mr. Brown was really starting to anger me with the personal information he had on me, I asked him that if I had an outstanding payday loan, don't you think the mortgage company would have said something about it since I was buying a home?  He had nothing to say.  I filed a report with the FTC and have been advised that they are checking into this.