844-259-5980

I'VE RECEIVED THIS PHONE NUMBER QUITE A FEW TIME BY SOMEONE NAMED BRADLEY AT 8442595980.  I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, ARE WHAT THEY ARE, ALL I KNOW IS I'M FED UP WITH THIS.  I'VE CALLED MY PHONE COMPANY, BBB AND STATES ATTORNEY. SOMETHING SHOULD B E DONE TO SHUT THESE PEOPLE DOWN.

I got two messages from them.  The first said I'm in violation of the Maryland Penal Code for theft by deception.  But they didn't leave a number for me to call back.  Second time they left a more threatening message but still asking me to make a voluntary call back to them.  When I did, I got a voice mail so I left them a message.

Let me guess.
The "theft by deception" claim is related to a payday loan check you wrote when you took out a payday loan, right?

If my guess is incorrect, please tell us more, so we can determine the REAL problem.
If my guess is correct, keep reading.

Some Payday Loan lenders will attempt to convince the borrower that the check they left is fraudulent, and the lender will file a fraud case.  Borrowers should read this:

http://www.in.gov/dfi/FAQ_-_Check_fraud_.pdf

The important paragraph in that PDF is:
"... if the small lender knew, at time of receipt, that the account had insufficient funds, or that the check was postdated, the issuer has not committed the crime of Check Deception"

(Although that is a citation from Indiana law, the laws are similar in most  states that permit payday loans)

Here is a citation from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which is valid in ALL 50 states:

Section 3-104(2)(b) of the UCC, defines a check as “a draft drawn on a bank and payable on demand.” A postdated check, since it is not payable on demand, does not satisfy this demand. Consequently, it has generally been held by most states that the giving of a post-dated check does not constitute a present fraud nor is it within the scope of the bad check laws.

Yes, borrowers should pay their debts, but lenders must (by law) follow the correct procedures to collect those debts.  A summary of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Debt_Collection_Practices_Act

More information,from the FCC, on loans and how to report debt collector violations:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

Recent news, stating the FTC DOES shut down these scammers!
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-a42dc4be97913e8 ... ection-scammers
and
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/newsroom/cfpb- ... -cycle-of-debt/

This guy is calling my mom's number about my brother's ex girlfriend saying she's in trouble with the law. I told him we don't have very much to do with her he told us we are required by law to give her his information to call him back. I said sorry sir, she doesn't live here so stop calling and I hung up.

What a joke! Got s call from some [***] named Bradley Peoples. What a scum bag!!! Asked for the name of the company and he hung up on me. Called back asked for the name of the company hung up on me..again... Called back again and was told that I am harassing him.. [***] please!

This [***] called abd threatened me

Unless someone is passing checks in my name, I have never used a payday loan.

I got a call from "Chad Porter" but can't seem to call them back.  My office phone can't dial that number (clue?) and from my cell phone, it goes right to voicemail.  I left a message but they have not called back.  I wonder if this is a fraud trying to scare us into paying a fake fine or fake bail for a relative.  I'm wary.  Bill collectors are usually up front about who they are, at least.  These guys don't seem to give any info.

Same thing, call from "Bradley " said was in violation of code. Called bbb and sheriff.SCAM!!!!

a message was left on my phone for someone I don't know.  Whoever he is, the message said that he needs to return the call on a voluntary basis and that if the caller is "unable to obtain a voluntary statement in regard to a violation of Maine Penal Code", he will have to turn him in.  I got worried about some guy getting arrested for not returning the call and called the number to tell them they have the wrong number.  I only got voice mail with no company identification, so I got suspicious and looked up this number online.  Now I am wondering if I have gotten the attention of the wrong kind of people.