8884319131

Got a call on 5/23 from an unavailable number, let it go to voice mail.  It was a robo call from Charles Dickson.  Called the number provided, they had my social and bank info from 9 years ago and demanded payment for a payday loan on the spot or I was going to be served.  Told them I thought it was paid, they said that it was not and wanted over $1000 on the spot or a warrant was going to be issued on Monday (5/26).  They were not aware that it was a holiday.  Told them I could call then back on Tuesday.  Did some research.  There is no listing for a Payton Litigation.  There is however a Payton Associates and they are a litigation firm.  I called and the receptionist informed me that they are aware that there is someone using their name as a scam.  That this is not the first time and that it appears that it jsut recently started up again.  She said that the authorities have been contacted.  They've been getting a lot of calls since last week when this started.

We received a robo call on our business phone, looking for a person who does not work here.  The same message as "Charles Dickinson" who was going to serve papers to the place of business/home of the individual.

The last time I checked, no one gives you adavance notice of being served with papers. That lessens the ability of serving papers to the defendant swiftly.  If you knew you were being served, I would imagine you'd take great pains in making sure you weren't there to receive them.

Thank you for the links. I intend to follow through also with the Illinois States Attorneys office

If they are threatening you with arrest, that is just plain silly and against the law.  It is a civil law matter, and as previous replies mentioned, if they wanted to sue you they would not bother calling.  They will just serve you papers.  The only annoying thing is that they call with No Caller Id, and you can block their harassment.  Even TrapCall can't seem to unmask it.

Have been getting calls from 697 daily! They also call my husband's number at the same time.  Leaving a message for me with my maiden name (from over 8 years ago), to call 888-431-9131.  When I call back it is Curtis Payton Litigations to speak to Steve Dickson.  Claims that I have committed check fraud.  That they will be issuing a summons after 4 today.  Asked me if I drove a ____ Nissan with tag number XXXXXX.  They have much info and it is very scary!

Got a recorded call from 213-330-0187, that said call 888-431-9131. I called and the woman started in saying that I was going to be arrested for a debt that I owed from 10 years ago. I asked for a verification letter to be mailed to me, and she stated that I was refusing to pay and "see you in criminal court". Uh, no. That is multiple violation of my rights there buddy, and smells like a scam to me. I googled the number and found all the similar complaints. I have already filed complaints with the CFPB, and my state's AG office, who I called and asked about this. The AG representative said there have been a lot of complaints with these type of companies lately. It used to be people overseas who ran them, but they are more stateside now. He said it was most definitely a scam, and directed me to the online complaint form.

You really have to wonder what kinds of "people" (and I use the term loosely) would apply for these jobs, knowing they will be scamming folks with illegal, empty threats?????

Total extortion scam, (also called shakedown, outwresting, and exaction). This group is using coercion to illegally obtain money from the unsuspecting. DO NOT pay them anything! DO report them!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, is warning consumers to be on the alert for scam artists posing as debt collectors. It may be hard to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and a fake one. Sometimes a fake collector may even have some of your personal information, like a bank account number. A caller may be a fake debt collector if he:

•is seeking payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize;
•refuses to give you a mailing address or phone number;
•asks you for personal financial or sensitive information; or
•exerts high pressure to try to scare you into paying, such as threatening to have you arrested or to report you to a law enforcement agency.

If you think that a caller may be a fake debt collector:

•Ask the caller for his name, company, street address, and telephone number. Tell the caller that you refuse to discuss any debt until you get a written "validation notice." The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
If a caller refuses to give you all of this information, do not pay! Paying a fake debt collector will not always make them go away. They may make up another debt to try to get more money from you.

.•Stop speaking with the caller. If you have the caller's address, send a letter demanding that the caller stop contacting you, and keep a copy for your files. By law, real debt collectors must stop calling you if you ask them to in writing.

•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 whom you're dealing with. Scam artists, like fake debt collectors, can use your information to commit identity theft – charging your existing credit cards, opening new credit card, checking, or savings accounts, writing fraudulent checks, or 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. Contact the FTC and your state Attorney General's office with information about suspicious callers. Many states have their own debt collection laws in addition to the federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights under your state's law.

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors

Same routine as others - the guy ("Charles Dickson") left a message saying papers needed to be served (to my brother who lives in another city) and the "plaintiff" could be reached at the 888 number. I called and a very aggressive woman came on and started demanding information from me. I asked her to be less aggressive, and then she asked me my name. Instead of giving it, I asked HER name. She got very angry and hung up.

One note: Before calling I consulted this site and verified that it was a scam. These people need to be called out for their tactics. I had the time to devote to sparring with her, and I encourage others who have the time and inclination to do the same. Let's make THEIR lives miserable for a change.

Same thing just happened to me. They claimed it was from 2007.

I have received calls from them only I was stupid enough to make a payment before researching it. Now I see all this and am trying to get my money back. Sooooo stupid to have paid something before checking into it. The bank is on it now. :( I called for a refund and she got nasty. Said they are legit everyone is just mad because they are in trouble. Makes me so sick.

Charles Dickson    Curtis Peyton Litigations

I received a call from them on Friday, and they called my friend today. I was told if I did not show up in court they were coming to arrest me and put me in jail, hand cuff me in front of my neighbors. I called and this ugly woman told me that I was a dead beat and I had written out bad checks. False....Someone needs to get her and put her in jail for upsetting innocent people.

Call from Charles Dickson on 1-888-431-9131. This is a scam.

Received a phone call from Curtis Peyton Litigation at phone #888-431-9131, on Friday, May 30. . Said they had a call for Steve Bare. There is no one living here by that name.  I left them know this and received another call today from the same place.  Again I told them no one lives here by that name.  They said they will take my phone number off of their records.

Have been receiving calls daily from these "people" does anyone know where I can file a legal complaint? When you call the 1-888-431-9131 number different "company names" are quoted. WHO do we report these thieves to?

Saying I have a warrant out for check fraud.

Per Tamianth:

One important thing to remember if these losers have any of your personal information such as your social security number, date of birth or drivers license make sure you register with identity protection notify the credit agencies as well as your banks!!
**************************************
credit reports:  Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports
***********************
How to see if your on the chex system list:
http://www.wikihow.com/See-if-You-Are-on-Chexsystems-List

http://www.ckfraud.org/penalties.html

http://www.ckfraud.org/ucc_highlights.html

http://www.ckfraud.org/depository.html

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts
**********
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
************
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
************
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm

https://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf

Company called to tell me that my sister made bad checks and outstanding loans and that my name phone number and social security are on the paperwork, my sister told me she has nothing out like that and never gave my name phone number and social security to anyone, this company Curtis Layton is going to take me to court also, I am very upset about this matter and this better not be on my credit reports. She said all our assets will be taken. I never signed anything for anyone in my life and dont intend to start now. Why me!

They're scammers - don't let them worry you.

Per Tamianth:

One important thing to remember if these losers have any of your personal information such as your social security number, date of birth or drivers license make sure you register with identity protection notify the credit agencies as well as your banks!!
**************************************
credit reports:  Experian, Equifax, TransUnion
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports
***********************
How to see if your on the chex system list:
http://www.wikihow.com/See-if-You-Are-on-Chexsystems-List

http://www.ckfraud.org/penalties.html

http://www.ckfraud.org/ucc_highlights.html

http://www.ckfraud.org/depository.html

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts