888-618-0192

Just received a voicemail from this phone number.  This is a scam.  First, this call started with, "Notice of Intent for Mikala Martin" (my maiden name - I've been married for 4 years and have no debt).  He screamed into the phone a second time that there was a "Notice of Intent".  He didn't give me his name, just said he was from the Department of Legal Services.  He proceeded to give me a complaint number of "CA1253-XXXX" (last four digits are last four of my SS#) and stated that a complaint is to be processed.  Then, he said, "I don't really know what the intent is at this point because we haven't received no proper disputes from you or your attorney".  Next, he strongly urged me to call him back.  Yeah, ok.  Sure, I'll be sure to call you RIGHT back.

I looked up the Department of Legal Services and it is "The Department of Legal Services ("DLS") is a dependency of the Office of the Secretary General. Its mandate is set out in  Annex A of Executive Order 08-01 Rev. 7."  So, then I looked up Department of Legal Services Collection Agency (assuming that was the deal) and TA DA, tons of complaints about scams with these fools.  They are payday loan scammers.

I know it's a scam because 1) He used my maiden name and 2) I've never had a payday loan.  About 5 years ago, when I was unmarried, I looked into getting a payday loan and when they told me the ridiculous interest rate I quickly dropped that idea. I will certainly be reporting this scam to the FTC and Attorney General!  So sick of these parasite losers!

The same as above just happened to me. Very pushy with threats of court proceedings.
Said they were ABA Associates
191 Monroe Ste 190
Matthews, SC
Mentioned August & Browns.

When I kept asking questions he hung up on me.

Yep, scammers.  Legal blah blah, all BS.

Just a follow up, when I complained with the FTC, I made sure to file the complaint stating that they were posing as part of the Federal Government.

I got the same call! They told me my info was being used as a contact person like i had co-signed something for the person they are REALLY looking for! Yea, right!

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/

I also received a call from these people and when I returned the call the message said they were with Foster and Brown.  I googled and could not find a law firm named Foster and Brown.  I have never talked to anyone, just keep playing phone tag.  Each time they say I have 24hrs. before claim is filed.  I don't have any loans and they are also using my maiden name which I have not used in 8 years.  I have also never received any letters in the mail with debts I owe and my credit reports are clean.   I did file a complaint with the CFPB.

I also received the same call today, one on my cell, which showed the number of 1-888-618-0192, and one at home but this time it didn't show up on my caller ID.  It showed private.  Both messages were the exact same thing:  Hello this is a notice of intent for ******* from the Department of Legal Services, reference Case #BG39363.  His name is Barry Lee.  He states he hasn't heard anything from me or my attorney to dispute these 2 formal complaints as of 3/30/15 and hadn't heard anything since 3/2/15.  If he didn't hear from me by noon tomorrow, he will schedule proceedings through my local authorities in Barry County.  Call to avoid court proceedings and/or garnishment forms.  At the end he says, "You have officially been notified!"  What the heck??? That cannot be in any way legal.  Oh by the way, I called after dinner around 8 p.m.  There is a recording saying it was Foster and Brown?????? Oh and leave your name and case/ref # so they can call me back..HA, no way.  So how would they know where I work?  I have a new job, LOL.. I just wish I could figure out how to stop these people from calling?  I blocked them on both my home and cell but can't block the private ones or unknown ones....

Notice of intent from Ellis Riley from Dept of Legal Services? Garnish wages? Notify my employer? I'm self-employed...maybe he will call me back and notify me of myself? Broken English...unintelligent. Aka...(as Ace Ventura would so eloquently say, "Loo-hoo-zuh-her....LOOOOSER!" Don't give him the time of day! Not worth the sweat in your armpit...