855-208-9817

"Hello, I'm calling in regards to a formal complaint that has been filed against one (my name inserted here). If you have any information that can lead to the whereabouts of this individual, please contact our office immediately at 855-208-9817.  Our next step will be filing the necessary paperwork with the local county court. etc etc.

I got that same call today. Saying it is about an old payday loan that was never paid back. When I asked for proof they said we were already passed that stage and couldnt provide me with anything.

Refusing to give information upon request is a violation of the FDCPA  That is a major red flag to a scam.

That's when I hung up. They said tomorrow they would take legal action for a civil suit and maybe wage garnishment. But they don't know where I work or live. They have information from 5 years ago

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/

FYI - wage garnishment is done by court order.

I answer the phone for the company - it's a recording - the person they're looking for retired several years ago.

This is like the third cycle of these calls I've gotten. They make the calls for a few weeks--to me, to my sister, to my mother--then if no one answers, they go away for a few months, then cycle through again. It's all crap. As I tell my sister, do not answer a call from someone you do not know or cannot verify. By answering, you just encourage the scam artists into thinking someone will respond to them.

wow! got the exact same vm this morning around 830 am! such losers!

These idiots called my daughter and my work looking for me!  They told me the group they work with is Western Mediation Group!  When I called the phone number that belonged to that company, I get a recording saying the number is no longer in service.  I asked them for information and the first person I spoke to told me I made a payday loan with met development group.  She has my bank account number which I did not verify.  She asked me to verify the last 4 digits of my ss# which I did not do either.  She also had my home address which I did not verify.  I looked it up met development group on the internet and the only thing I found was that they have a wealth of experience developing, constructing, and managing Class A residential and mixed use communities. The second person I spoke to yesterday told me the complaint was for fraud because I gave a wrong account number and an account that has been closed.  He also said the bank verified the funds were deposited.  How can that be right, if I gave a wrong account number?!  When you call them out on their lies, they don't let you talk.  They kept interrupting me everytime I spoke.  The guy was very rude.  Oh and get this, I blocked my phone number, but the lady knew who I was because she said Ms. XXXX, we already gave you the information and you know what this is about.  I asked how she knew it was me she said because she sees my phone number.  I told the 3 people I talk to, stop calling me, my job and my relatives!!  I'm so annoyed.  Now I have to go to my bank and change the account number because of these idiots!!

First 855 is a toll free number which means that you cannot block your number.  they are paying for the call and have the right to know who is calling.  The law is very simple, written in plain language, but these are known criminals trying to scare you into pying extortion money.

They call family, friends, neighbors and/or places of employment (past or present or both) to create panic and embarrassment so that their intended victim calls them and they can scare that person into paying their extortion money.

It is incumbent upon them to prove that the debt exists and that you owe it.  Not the other way around.

This is a common ploy by criminals masquerading as debt collectors who are attempting to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged, go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished, be sued, and a variety of other variations on this,  all for an alleged or nonexistent debt.  One of the tricks they use is to call your work place, friends, or relatives repeatedly in an attempt to shame you into paying.  They also use the “process server” ruse who calls and claims he is going to serve you, but then says you could avoid it by calling another number.  Please note that process servers do not ever call ahead.  That way you can’t dodge them.

If you feel you SSN has been compromised, in addition to putting a fraud alert at the 3 credit bureaus, you may want to notify the IRS.  Here is the link, fill out the proper form (probably 14039):
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/How-Do-You-Rep ... aud-Activity%3F

Federal law (FDCPA) requires them to send you a letter (US MAIL ONLY) postmarked within 5 days of their first contact that contains their name, physical address, the creditor’s name, and the amount of the alleged debt.  It also must contains “mini-Miranda” telling you that it is an attempt to collect a debt and that all information will be used for those purposes.  The one other important thing that this letter must also have in it is that you have a right to dispute the debt within 30 days of receipt of the letter and if you do so, all collection activity must be stopped until the debt is verified.

Read up on your rights here and also make a complaint at this government site:  http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Also file a complaint with your State Attorney General's office.
List of State AG’s offices:   https://800notes.com/faq/attorney-general

Thank you. I actually work in the Department of the Attorney General. I know they are a scam because this happened last year but with an area code of 844. They think I'm stupid! I told them off! They yelled at me because I caught them in their lies and the minute they got caught lying they wouldn't let me speak. Everytime I spoke they interrupted me.

got same  message call lat night

Yep, I got the call yesterday. They hung up on me as I questioned who they were looking for and why. Pressure tactics. these people need to be dealt with.

Just got a call from these scam artist. I have no debt ,owe no money to anyone and have lived @ the same place for 10yrs. knew this was fishy.

I keep getting calls -- 1st was a debt collector now this county processor??? -- for a person with same last name as me but I have no clue who they are!! I do not answer -- it goes to my home phone which I don't answer

Gary, that is exactly the message received, twice on the same person.  What I find is interesting is they want to know the whereabouts of the person, but then say they will file the paperwork in the local county court.  SCAM.

Received a call this morning saying that they were Western litigations & I needed to pay 390.00 immediately or I would be taken to court. I finally go it out of them what this 390.00 was for. An on line payroll loan ????  I told them I did not do or even really know what online payroll loans where! Please provide me with more information, however they would not because they claim that they have been send me information since 2012. I told them it was funny that I have not received anything. Still would not provide me with anything but would allow 24 hours to try to find it. I just laughed & hung up.

This number called me,and  said i was going too have to pay them 233.00 plus insercet of 583.33 , else the person is taking me to court if i dont pay i would also go to jail.

I got a call yesterday at my place of work smh.  When is this mess going to stop?  These people need to be caught and charged!!