800-929-4493

Thease [***] called me threatening to sue me for a credit card i had in 2001. Do they realize that is 13 years ago! I wish a horrible painfull death to scammers!

For at least the last year, an illegal group of debt collectors have been terrorizing consumers, their family, friends, and employees threatening to arrest the individual of an unpaid loan or other debt (their generally don't even owe). Be aware debt is a civil matter, not a criminal matter, and you can't be arrested. They threaten a warrant if the victim does not pay a sum of money by the credit card over the phone.

Some of the people they are calling do not owe a debt.  Others they are calling have already settled their debt with the organization who owns the accounts. Even if you do owe a debt, do not be deceived by the actions of this group.  Many of the accounts they are attempting to collect they do not own.  In other words, if you pay these people, that is not going to clear your debt with its rightful owner.  

Although when pressed the callers give the victim an address in Columbia South Carolina (usually a vacant lot),  Atlanta GA (often a parking lot near the bus station or a Peachtree Road Address) or Phoenix AZ.  They are actually out of the Charlotte North Carolina area. The scammers are using the following business names (and there are many others, and they seem to create new ones daily).  They will normally answer the call back number as “Investigations”.  They often call people with a recording claiming they are looking for a "defendant"

Schuman, Walker, & Associates
Kaplan, Stein, & Associates
KS & Associates
Lyman & Turner
Burns & Stevens
HD & Associates
Richardson Simms and Associates
Johnston & Moore
Holland, Dempsey, and Associates
Hughes and Berkeley
RJ Financial LLC
Ondrick and Miles
Anderson & Banker Mediation or Pre-Trial Litigators
Reynolds, Hill, and Associates
Berkley and Associates
Kaufmann and Associates
Sanderson Blaine & Associates
Blaine and Associates
McKenzie Reid Associates
Kennedy, Kline, & Associates
Nationwide Asset and Recovery
Piedmont Investigations and Procurement
Raffino, Garrison, & McCoy
Greenman, Schwartz & Associates
McCoy Law Group
Salem Associates
Reynolds and Associates
Ryan, Carter and Fields
Berman, Maxwell and associates
DOF Investigations
Vaughn & Associates
Bailey Rowe and Associates
Berkley Hughes and Associates


Here is a set of links to a variety of threads on this forum that document this group and its behavior. They include the experiences of victims as well as a former employee or two that quit within a week of finding out exactly what was going on. They also include responses from consumer advocates and people who are really criminal justice professionals advising victims of what to do

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-748-8367
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-719-1725
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-676-3492
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-805-5549
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-751-1084
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-803-2349
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-775-2417
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-775-2418
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-755-3417
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-746-3946
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-676-3485
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-3768
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-699-9749/2
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-6246
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-678-5437
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-967-0061
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-746-3948
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-791-2353
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-699-6246
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-735-8624
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-751-1083
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-736-3678/2
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-8529
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-967-2633
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-460-1576
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-609-3074
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-576-6210
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-601-5849
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-230-1283
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-658-0438
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-510-9327
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-509-0338
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-803-0755
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-511-0627
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-509-3033
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-509-0339
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-511-0631
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-883-2350/2
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-244-3381
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-512-0269
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-295-9550
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-966-6277
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-511-4248
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-725-5312
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-756-9997
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-512-1278
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-512-0531
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-512-0273
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-877-719-5041
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-791-9102
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-512-400-2637
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-585-730-6153
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-512-1712
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-657-1430
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-643-7815
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-860-3119
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-860-2973
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-831-4161
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-316-3547
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-714-134-4576
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-948-4460
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-415-1851
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-678-389-6196
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-584-6184
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-210-239-1791
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-844-245-7180
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-415-1287
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-440-210-9666/2
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-455-6485
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-425-201-0376
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-393-3515
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-406-272-8763
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-393-0743
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-408-9651
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-254-0813
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-727-260-5017
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-330-849-2731
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-480-270-8627
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-855-393-4321
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-706-913-1607
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-815-221-4220
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-206-858-9167

I just received a call from someone saying I was getting served with legal papers and he had no other information.  He gave me a number to call for more information.  I called 877-448-2696 and a Mr. Baker answered.  He said that I had a credit card from Continental Finance in 2006...I told him I did not recall that.  He said they had documentation of me using the card and paying payments on it.  He spouted off my social security number and my credit report information.  He said I would be charged nearly $2000 if I didn't pay the settled amount of $650.05 today.  I was ready to pay...but did not feel comfortable paying.  So, I bought some time so I could look this company up...it was KS & Associates.  He gave me his direct number of 213-290-2783 to call him back.  I called back and he gave me a different settlement amount of $561.05 then changed it to $561.06 later in the conversation.  He is emailing me a settlement letter and when I told him they aren't usually emailed he said this is just an informational settlement letter...the official one would be mailed to me after I pay him.

Who do I contact to settle this?  do I just ignore there calls?  I just don't want them to actually send people out here to file a judgment against me.  I also don't like the fact that if these guys are scammers, that they have my social security number and have been into my credit history.

The debt in question is 9 years old and probably outside the statute of limitations for suit (contact an attorney from your state to discuss).  Your caller is a criminal scammer

Since this group is actually operating out of the Charlotte area, the proper local jurisdiction to file police reports would be the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/CMPD/Pages/default.aspx

You can make a report by telephone - If calling outside the Mecklenburg County, the Non-Emergency Crime Reporting: 704-336-7600

You can also make a police report online at
http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/CMPD/Pages/ReportACrime.aspx

To days ago I got a phone call  also from  "John Baker" (213-290-2783)  and also at my job in the hospital staying that I have a debt of $3344.90 with a bank from which I dont know "HSBC" and that in 2004 I open a credit card with $1000 credit line. I told that person that in 2004 I was in high school with 16y/o, and that in PR where I was living by that time there is no such bank. He continue talking and stays that if I don't pay as soon as possible, I could be severely charged against the law and can have some penalty and go to prision. That if I agree to go court, I might need to pay for lawyers and it will cost more money. I told him to send me the information regarding such debt, from which I didn't know about it. He said that the information he has it but can not send it through email, but that it will be send to me by mail if I pay a settlement of $947.07  I told him I wasn't not going to pay, until I get information, he told me he can't not do that at that moment, because need to speak with lawyer. Then he start saying that he knows where I live, that he knows I was on the military and that I am working on a mortgage for a house, which it could be affected if I dont pay because it is shown on my Credit report. I told him how is possible, because when i got pre-approved I didn;t received information from the bank regarding this "debt". So i guess at that moment it was scam so I left him on the phone with words and I hang up the phone after 45min of arguing, because he though I was going to pay the settlement. I contacted my banks for  fraud alert concerning this case. Do I need to take some other actions?

This is a scam. Debts are civil and not criminal matters. Follow the advice given by the CFPB:

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/

Thanks for your help!!