866-697-3175

I received a vm from a man whom later identified himself as "Derrek Smith", who at no time, even when I asked, would give the specific name of the company  he worked for, only had info he could have pulled off of my credit report. He threatened me with court, spoke over me and cut me off, was condescending and patronizing. Claimed there was no one other than him to speak to regarding my case, and that I had like 24 hours to either pay or submit a hardship letter. This was a Thursday. We spoke a few times because the phone calls got so out of hand. At one point I told him nicely that I didn't want to speak anymore, because his tone was condescending and patronizing and he hung up on me threatening to cancel our arrangements and see me in court. I have researched this number and the accnt they claim they hold. My credit report and the original credit card company say the account is with someone else. I am working on getting ahold of them to find out what info they have. I will not be sending this "Derrek  Smith' at unknown company, any money.

This is a version of the you-have-commited-a-crime extortion scam and you are being...
1. charged with fraud or passing bad checks or embezzlement or
2. served with a court summons or arrest warrant or bench warrant or whatever or
3. located in preparation to being served or for a lawsuit or to be arrested or
4. whatever stupid crap reasons they will think up next.

And you have to...
1. call back with your case number or
2. confirm your address or SSN or whatever so you can be served or your papers can be processed or
3. pay $895 now to avoid paying $5,000 in court or
4. whatever stupid crap reasons they will think up next.

Never do what they tell you to do but report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG, as appropriate.

@Janice - This company goes by various names:  RFA/RF& Associates, Global AG, Global Attorney Group.  They are located at 501 N. Golden Circle Drive Santa Ana CA.  If you pull your credit report (free once a year ONLY from the FTC website - http://www.ftc.gov), you will see they are listed as having accessed your report on the day they first called you.

IGNORE THEM.  Besides other things (thugs is the description that most immediately come to mind), they are zombie debt collectors who never follow through on their threats.  They are required by law to send you a Debt Validation Letter before you are required to pay them a dime.  Ask them for it; I guarantee they won't send it and you won't hear from them again - they move on (unfortunately) to under/un-educated lower hanging fruit.

Google this number (which is the number they previously use):  866-764-9779 - and you'll see what I'm saying is true.

Also - PLEASE - file a complaint online about them with the FTC listing the number and name they called you from.  If the FTC gets enough complaints about them, they WILL do something.

Good luck!

I was also called and told I had to call  866-697-3175. The caller id showed up as a number for the clerks office of my local district court. The message on my answering machine stated that there was legal documentation being sent out thru the clerks office  to accept and sign off on  and that the call was to verify someone would be home at the residence (two days later) on a Thursday between 8 am and 4 pm to sign for legal documents thru the clerks office. They stated I had 24 hours to call back or they would assume the property and employment was verified.  I was then given a case number.  I called the 866-697-3175 number and a women answered corporate office how may I help you and I hung up.

I was also called and told I had to call  866-697-3175. The caller id showed up as a number for the clerks office of my local district court. The message on my answering machine stated that there was legal documentation being sent out thru the clerks office  to accept and sign off on  and that the call was to verify someone would be home at the residence (two days later) on a Thursday between 8 am and 4 pm to sign for legal documents thru the clerks office. They stated I had 24 hours to call back or they would assume the property and employment was verified.  I was then given a case number.  I called the 866-697-3175 number and a women answered corporate office how may I help you and I hung up.

I to got a call on 7/12 saying a process server and to call back the same number.
On 7/14 I got another call, and my caller id showed a local court phone number, I told them to get lost, and would not identify myself.   SCAM !!!!!!!!

I just got the same call. I called the same number (866) 697-3175 with a case number. They put me in touch with a guy that wold barely let me speak. I told him my situation of being unemployed. He said this was in regards to a MasterCard bill I had that I haven't paid on. They said the account was from 2008. What I found funny is that they had my "ex-wife's name also.....we have been divorced since 2002 and why in the heck would they have her name on my mastercard?. I freaked out and GAVE them no money or anything. He said "You have 24 hours to make a decision". He gave me 3 options. 1) Pay off the whole ammount ($2700) and lock in 0% interest rate. 2.) Pay $400 fee right now and then the rest will be broken up into 10 payments of $270  or 3). Do nothing. I chose option 3 and he immediately said "Well, we will see you in court."

I just called back the number and was very professional and said "Can I have you company name?", The guy said they answer a lot of companies calls and do I have a case number. I gave him my case number and they transfered me to another "lawyer" sounding guy. I asked him point blank, "What is the name of your company?". He said "RF Associates". I said "Thanks, that's all I needed to know", hung up and now I am writing this.

I am glad I entered this number into Google and found this forum.....I will be able to sleep soundly now!

They pull your credit report - which contains all your credit info going back several years - including ex-spouses, etc.   This company is rife with thugs.  All debt collectors are required by law to verify in writing that you owe the debt.  Demand that they send you a Debt Validation Letter; and don't give them your address - they're supposed to have it if they've pulled your credit report.  But trust me....they won't send you the letter.....and you won't hear from them again.  

The threats about taking you to court are all bluff....they never follow through.  

Their address is 501 N. Golden Circle Drive Santa Ana CA.  Got to ftc.gov and file a complaint.  They go by various names including: RFA/Reliant Financial Associates/RF & Associates/Global AG/Global Attorney Group.  They are on the FTC's radar - more complaints can only help.

One more thing....they are notorious for manipulating caller ID to read anything they want - including the name of your local law enforcement, court house, etc. - anything that would induce you to answer your phone.

All land lines?

I just got a call from Derrick, the same thing. He scared me so bad I thought I was going to throw up. Thank God I looked up the phone number. I am going to file a complaint. Thanks for all the info people, I feel so much better.

thanks for the post that guy really made me sick.they were calling me for a bill back in 2000 for 800 that i already payed another law firm for.

They will fake what shows up on your caller identification so it looks important and you feel compelled to answer the phone.  They are scammers!

about a month ago i received two voicemails, one on my cell phone and one on my mother's house phone (which i haven't lived with since 1999). the voicemail stated that it was the county's office with a summon's to appear in court for a civil suit filed against me (they left no county office phone number, only a 800 number and a case number). right from the start it sounded fishy to me. i've had summons and civil suits before. the county's office never calls and the same sheriff always serves me paperwork regardless of what type of lawsuit it is. today a private number called (they always call private). The man stated that his name was Jason Marks from Legal Claims Services and that a civil suit was filed against me. He advised to call RF & Associates at 866-697-3175 and refer to a specific case number. I asked Jason Marks for his number and ext. He gave me phone number 210-401-7907 (San Antonio, TX number but Legal Claims Services doesn't exist in TX) but that he didn't have an ext. I called 210-401-7907 and received a voicemail stating it was MagicJack customer and to leave a message. Really?!?! MagicJack?!?! How unprofessional but that's what to expect from SCAMMERS. a month ago when i called the 800 number left on my voicemail, a lady answered with "how may i direct your call?". She couldn't tell me the company name since "there are a lot of companies within this building". Right! when i called today, the lady stated RF & Associates but said it so fast i had to ask her to repeat it. She then asked "how can i direct your call?". I told her i had no idea and advised i had a case number. she told my case number and stated she will transfer me to the appropriate person. i hung up. i shouldn't have to get a call from one number asking to call another and than get transferred to someone else. SCAMMERS, SCAMMERS, SCAMMERS ... i'm going to have fun toying with them. hahaha

I have googled the phone numbers and company names. All i find is forums on how they rude, unprofessional and trying to collect on debts that are too old to collect on or not valid at all. they also make inquiries on your credit report.

I got a call yesterday from the process server confirming a wrong address. The same night I pulled my credit report and found that one of the reporting agencies had the same wrong address that had only been on my report for the last 6 months. Funny. Whats even more funny is they say I owe $3000.00 for a $600.00 debt from 2007. I was told to respond to 866-697-3175 within several hours to verify my debt. He aslo asked If someone would be at my address to receive the summons. In my state you dont have to go to court for a judgement unless you want argue your case. When I called I spoke to Derek Smith who was a real jerk. He gave me several options but never revealed his company name and refused to send me documentation about my debt. Finally he sends me an email that basically said you owe us $3000.00 PAY IT or else. Fat chance.

Brad - can you post the email address derek sent it from?

Today I received two calls from 866-697-3175.  The first one was from my Google Voice number.  The second one was from my cell number.  How they got my cell phone number is beyond me.  I thought collectors couldn't call your cell phone?  

This guy was named "Richard" and said he was a "higher" process server.  Sounded like he was reading verbatim from a script and very fast.  He stated that they had my address and would have the authorities in my area deliver the paperwork to serve me if I didn't respond to them.

I have no clue as to what debt I owe.  I just purchased a house recently and received financing on it.  My credit was checked up and down(it's not easy getting a home loan these days).

I've never heard any debt collector use tactics like this.  I Googled the number and found this site.  I'm glad I'm not alone in dealing with this sleaze.

Has anyone received any mail or has anyone been actually served from this company.

I don't believe anyone has received any mail from them or been served by them.  They rely on threats and intimadtion and if that doesn't work, they move on to easier prey.  See also complaints about these numbers that they use:  

866-764-9779
866-302-4224

Also....they often call the wrong person/not the real debtor - but they don't care esp if they can freak you into giving up ur credit card info.....they'll take your money even if ur not the orignal debtor.

Tell them you wont talk until they send you a debt validation letter - which they never do...its to much trouble for them.

Scam be careful !!!