888-616-0228

Received a call from an unknown number stating that I needed to call the 888 number back because there was some pending legal action. Googled the company they said they're from & cant find anything. No call records or reports exist yet for the 888 number but it's just like every other scam I've read about so I won't be calling.

I received a voice mail at work to call regarding a legal matter on December 20, and today.  Sounds like he said his name was Liam.  The messenger said CAQ and Associates made one, maybe two courtesy calls before a dismissal. Today was the final attempt to reach me.  I won't be calling them back.

I received two messages from Liam, saying he was from CAQ and Associates and I needed to call them today to resolve a debt of some kind. He said that a detailed message was left a week ago (that's a lie). Anyway, I've received enough of these scam calls to know they are just that, "scammers" trying to con money out of people.  They were able to fool me a few years ago, but after talking to a friend who is a police officer, another friend who is a county clerk of court, and my state's attorney general, I was informed how these crooks operate.  I was also informed that any legal talk that they try to trick you with in their messages are empty threats.  Any real legal matter that is filed against you has to come in writing (via United States Postal Service not e-mail) with detailed information. I hope this information will help others who may be getting these calls. Just don't answer their calls and don't return their messages. If it's real, you'll receive written documentation in the mail (via USPS).

CAQ & Associates from Erie County, looking for my daughter. Said there was a complaint with their client against her. Sounded legit since she has some legal trouble in the past. I told her to call them and find out what was going on. I'm pretty sure she didn't and now that I've read these posts, I'm glad she didn't. I researched the internet and never found any business. Plus, my caller's name was Taylor Miles.

I also received a call from Liam regarding a legal matter. Did not return call as I have never heard of CAQ & Associates from Erie County nor do I have any legal issues or outstanding debts. SCAM!!

I received a call from 844-370-6821 from a Jonathan Clark from CCRT Mediation and processing saying there was a legal issue tied to my name. asked me to call back 888-616-0228 x 505 to discuss. I called out of curiosity and spoke with a Taylor, Jonathan Clark never came to the phone. They said i owed a payday loan and that i stopped paying on in it 2013. They could not tell me the amount or provide detailed information. This is a SCAM I know who I awe and don't owe.BEWARE

What else did you do to handle this situation?

Got a few calls from this number. Saying knows money. They also said they wee a law firm out of Erie county. I spoke with them, their words were, I owe such and such a mount and needed to be paid right then and there or they would take legal action. Then asked if I knew anyone or family to give me money to pay. What law firm does that? Then I get a call, from the same number,  Saying they are a mediator for Erie county. I have read the other posts on here and feel I'm in the same boat as the others. I tried to look up this CAQ & Associates, but nothing comes up and they do not exsist. Any ideas on what to do?
Thank you

What law firm works on Sunday for starters?  Western New York is the world's #1 capital for crooks pretending to be debt collectors.  Whenever someone tells you that they are a "lawyer", the first question you should ask is what state(s) they are registered in and their BAR number for that/those state(s).  Then go to that state and check them out.  Now for the rest of what you should know:

Criminals masquerading as debt collectors attempt to extort money from people by scaring you into believing that you will be criminally charged (they use the bad check or hot check claim a lot) and go to jail, lose your driver’s license, have wages garnished without actually being sued or going to court, 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 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.  They will use the words “Mediator”, “Arbitrator”, or “Law Office” to make you believe that they are something other than a debt collector want-a-be and that they don’t have to follow Federal and State collection laws.  They do have to follow those laws, but they won’t.  They mention that they have received a Fax document, to create the sense of urgency.  They also tell you that if you fail to call them back you are "waiving your right to council", which is pretty much nothing but hogwash.  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 where they will ask for money to “make it go away” (this is actually the same place, they work in teams, one pretending to be the server, and the other usually pretends to be a lawyer).  Process servers do not ever call ahead so that you can dodge them.  Process servers get paid to serve papers, nothing else.

It is incumbent upon them under the law to prove that the debt exists and that you owe it, and that they have the legal right to collect it.  You are not obligated under the law to prove that you don’t owe or that it is paid.

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

When they spoke to me, they said we can do a settlement. I asked, what their settlement offer was. I was then told that I had to offer a settlement. They then asked me if I knew someone or a family member that could give me money to pay them.

Also, I asked if they could take payments. The lady told me the do not take payments and that they needed payment in full.
It's very frustrating

Everything you need to know is in my post.  You need to read it, and read it again if necessary.  They are pushing you for a single payment because they don't want you to take the time to learn what they should be doing under the law.  There are two links there to the CFPB and you can find your State Attorney General's Web site as well.  Both are free resources for you to use.  You paid for them with your tax money.  Use them or the next time you come back you will be posting as the victim of a crime.

Related thread for these thugs: https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-800-403-9493

"Pay now or get served" is part of the normal roster of false threats from debt collection frauds. It's plausible and legal coming on paper from a real lawyer with the authority and the intent to sue, and there would be reasonable time to respond. Collection thugs lack both authority and intent, and often proof of claim, making their threats illegal.

FTC alert: "Fake Debt Collectors"
FTC blog: "Don’t recognize that debt? Here’s what to do."

Liam just called me again - I was the first to post on this number. He is now stating he is with CCRT Mediation & Asset Retention, which before it was CAQ & Associates - same ruse though. Legal processing out of Eerie Country, etc etc. This happened to me a couple years back and had me legit scared until I looked in to it and realized I did not owe anyone anything - and they were unable to provide me any information on  who I owed money to or what the original amount I had borrowed was. Scare tactics. The post above from BigA is perfect and I encourage everyone to not be fooled or scared by these scam artists!!

Got a call from TAYLOR phone number 716 246 9047 saying that CCRT mediation association or whatever wanted to settle a load from 2013, saying i owed 2k dollars that i already settled.  They tried to settle for a random 800$ amount when i complained. When I asked for the number of the CCRT she wouldnt give it to me and was stuttering like crazy!!!!  she sounded offical, but SCAMMMMM

I as well got a call from a Taylor Miles number; 715-246-9047.  She states that "her client" was willing to settle for $1900 but couldn't take payments.  If I didn't pay they would go ahead with garnishment a.  I said "well, garnishing would be cheaper a month than what you're asking me to pay".  She had a bunch of legal talk and told me if it went to garnishment I would then owe $6000.  I told her her name is all over the Internet as a scam and she replied "that's just because people don't want to pay their bills so they post things like that and unfortunately that hurts people like you trying to do the right thing".  I asked to have "her clients" number so I could verify and set up payment with them if possible... She says her client doesn't accept phone calls.  We didn't have that kind of money to give her anyways... But the bottom line I decided was I wouldn't give her a dime even if I did.  All correspondence should come through mail.  So mad at myself for wasting half my day and worrying myself sick!

Pathetic .... Little missy Tay-tay Miles knows they can't "go ahead with garnishment" before you're sued, served, have a chance to respond, and get smacked with a judgment. Their case would be meritless anyway, so none of the above will happen unless they enjoy being eviscerated by alert defendants and judges.

It's not a total loss to have collected ample evidence of the company's lawbreaking and share your experience here. Maybe if a reliable address is found you can launch a real lawsuit on their dime. Meanwhile, you can review what the CFPB and FTC say about right and wrong ways to collect debts, learning to recognize the fraud pattern sooner next time .... and there will be a next time.

Definitely a scam. Investigation is my living this is a fraud being run out of the Buffalo area. The corporate registration name slightly differs from the one used on the horn. The perp Ean R Audino currently appears to reside just across the border in Ontario. He does have roots in Depew NY and Florida. I have located his home phone and intend on using it for entertainment.  Seek some help by reviewing the rules regarding collecting debt in NY state. If you have never received validation of debt by mail, or they refuse to provide mailing info for themselves or name / account # and contact info for the original creditor, than it's a scam. 5844 Homestead Pl in Lewiston NY is where this land line is registered it doubles with 716 246 9047.  Tell them to go ahead and file suit. Since clearly they managed to get your personal info check credit karma for any unusual activity on your credit. Mr Audino I will not stop. I will expose your information your social/ family/ friends neighbors.....you did not pick your mark wisely.

One of several corporations registered by this dirtball. All have similar financial or legality implied in the names. Here we go.

The information contained in this database is current through February 2, 2017.

Selected Entity Name: CCRT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING, LLC
Selected Entity Status Information
Current Entity Name:    CCRT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT & CONSULTING, LLC
DOS ID #:    5035061
Initial DOS Filing Date:    NOVEMBER 07, 2016
County:    ERIE
Jurisdiction:    NEW YORK
Entity Type:    DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Current Entity Status:    ACTIVE

Selected Entity Address Information
DOS Process (Address to which DOS will mail process if accepted on behalf of the entity)
EAN AUDINO
2821 WEHRLE DRIVE
SUITE 7
WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK, 14221
Registered Agent
EAN AUDINO
2821 WEHRLE DRIVE
SUITE 7
WILLIAMSVILLE, NEW YORK, 14221

This is krazy I've been dealing with Jonathan and Clark for a whole 2 weeks now I knew they were scams i was really close to giving these [***] my money ...I really do have a loan with check n go but they weren't able to giv me the amount and so they transferred me to Olivia who's suppose to be the payment processor who's so suppose to go more into detail with me about everything but still has not come forward with the information at hand ..Then I ask her to send me a copy of it in the mail and she still has not done so ...These ppl are sick