904-425-9141

Received a call stating that I or my attorney need to call. The place is called CNA. Might be a collection firm.

Yes Randy, We are a collection agency and collecting on behalf of our clients. Please call us back to straighten down this issue.

Thanks.

If you are a collection agency that trolls anonymous internet message board, then, odds are, you are a scam.

TO THOSE GETTING THESE CALLS: Never, ever deal with a debt collector over the phone. Merely tell them to send it to you in writing and not to call you again.

Folks, this has all the hallmarks of a payday loan collection scam that is based in Jacksonville, Florida.  Jacksonville is a hotbed of illegal debt collection activity.  If you are targeted by these bums, be sure to file a complaint with:

- Florida Attorney General http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/Contact ... Economic_Crimes  (The Florida AG's economic crimes division is famous for pursing and shutting down debt collection scams)
- your local sheriff or police
- your state attorney general  http://www.naag.org
- the Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
- the FBI  https://tips.gov

Be sure to review this advice from the Florida Attorney General about what a debt collector can and can't do - http://myfloridalegal.com/pages.nsf/main/7cd1 ... d6!OpenDocument

Be sure to consult www.BudHibbs.com and www.NACA.net for lots of helpful advice.

Address for CNA's office

Christian Nicholas & Associates Inc
1301 Riverplace Boulevard,
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 348-5600

Correction on the FBI website: https://tips.fbi.gov

The Florida Secretary of State shows that "Christian Nicholas & Associates Inc." filed for dissolution and is inactive.  Either people connected to this inactive Florida corporation are in cahoots with the India-based US National Bank scam or the India scammers merely stole the Christian Nicholas & Associates name.

Regardless ...

It's a scam, and all their threats are false and illegal.  The bottom line is, these are criminals trying to steal consumers' money.

Here are a few news reports and government advisories warning consumers about this scam:

ABC News:  http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5621205&page=1
West Virginia Attorney General:  http://www.wvago.gov/internetloanscam.cfm
WTAE TV4, Pittsburgh:  http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/call4action/17285785/detail.html
Florida Commissioner of Consumer Services:  http://www.800helpfla.com/newsletter/2008/092008.html

This is a very active group of scammers, many of whom are calling from India (and probably other countries) and are in cahoots with a group of American pay day loan scammers. They attempt to extort money from consumers with a myriad of false and illegal threats, and alternately pose as debt collectors, federal and state law enforcement officers, lawyers and bankers. Their trademark is to use meaningless legalese gobbylgook phrases like "We are downloading warrants against you" or "We are filing an affidavit against you." Another trademark phrase is to threaten the consumer with something like this ridiculous phrase: "If you don't pay then only God can help you."

Typical of many financial scams of this variety, they usually demand payment via Western Union or MoneyGram or credit card. They use any number of phony names such as US National Bank, Federal Investigation Bureau, US Legal Investigation Bureau, Christian Nicholas & Associates, US Federal Bank, Sonic Bank, Hopkins Law Office, CashNet, United Legal Processing, Morgan Associates, United Pay Services, National Processing, White Collar Crime Unit and many more.  These criminals also use many phone numbers from many area codes; they're probably using caller-id spoofing software and/or VoIP to disguise their real location.

The main thing to remember is that anytime someone calls you demanding money to prevent your arrest, or demanding your lawyer's name so they can sue you, it is ALWAYS a scam. No debt collector (let alone criminals posing as debt collectors) has the authority to have anyone arrested for anything. (And it's illegal to them to threaten such a thing.) And since these foreign dirtbags routinely impersonate law enforcement, it's also important to remember that American law enforcement officers aren't in the business of debt collection.  (Debt is a civil, not a criminal, matter.)

A consumer posting a complaint about these same scammers at https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-718-831-7157 notes that 718-831-7157 is associated with an India-based "outsourcing" telephone bank.  Though a reverse search on WhitePages.com shows that 718-831-7157 is an unlisted land line in New York City, information on Debtbuyers.Com shows that that number is used by India-based Intellisourze. (Source: http://www.debtbuyers.com/debtbuyers.asp ) My guess is that it's a VoIP phone number.

This is another piece of the puzzle that fits in perfectly with other information about this scam. There are some reports on 800Notes that have suggested that the crooks behind this offshore scam are also the crooks behind the notorious Bass/Ellis Crosby & Assoc./States Predisposition scams in Florida and Georgia. The interesting thing is that the number of complaints on here about the US National Bank/US Legal Investigation/Federal Investigation scam skyrocketed *after* April 7, 2008 when Florida obtained a $1.3 million judgment against Ted Ellis Crosby, shutdown his operations and barred him from ever conducting debt collections in Florida (
http://myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsrel ... 5257424005858A6 )  There's certainly a good chance that the crooks placing these calls from India are doing so on behalf of the American crooks behind the Crosby/Bass/States Predisposition scams.

Here's the contact information for the phone bank in India:

IntellisOurzE BPO
701, Sapphier, Nr. Cargo Motors,
C.G. Road Navrangpura,
Ahmedabad - 9. (Guj.) INDIA.
E-Mail: info@intellisourze.com
Website: www.intellisourze.com

A check on the domain name "intellisourze.com" shows that the website and name registration was created on May 8, just one month *after* the Crosby scams were shut down in Florida:

Domain Name: INTELLISOURZE.COM
Registrant:  Pragra Infratech Pvt. Limited.
Email:  ankur.ranpariya@pragra.com  
908, Aksaht Tower, Nr. ICICI Bank
Opp. Rajpath Club, S.G. Highway
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 380054
Tel. +91.7926871353
Creation Date: 08-May-2008
Expiration Date: 08-May-2009
Domain servers in listed order: ns5.znetindia.com ns4.znetindia.com
(Source: http://whois.domaintools.com/intellisourze.com )

Though scam calls from these crooks have been going on long before May 8, the frequency of complaints about these calls increased considerably after Crosby was shut down in early April.

This is conjecture, but appearances suggest that Crosby and company were originally running a two-pronged payday loan scam operation -- with some calls being made from Jacksonville, Florida and other calls being made from a phone bank in India (and possibly other countries); then, after the Florida Attorney General shut down the Crosby scams in Florida, the Crosby crooks transferred most of their scam efforts to the India phone bank.

If you are targeted by these criminals, be sure to report them to all the following federal and state law enforcement agencies (most of which you can do online or over the phone):

1) The U.S. Secret Service is responsible for protecting the country's financial infrastructure and payment systems from international and domestic threats. Call or write your local Secret Service field office to alert them to the details of this attempted extortion. The addresses and phone numbers for the local Secret Service field offices are listed at http://www.secretservice.gov/field_offices.shtml or in your phone book.

2) Alert the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov  Be sure to tell the FBI that you are being targeted by extortionists over the phone. And if the crooks claim to be law enforcement or lawyers, officers of the court or bankers, be sure to include that information in your report.

3) File a complaint with your local police. Most police departments will take a report over the phone.  Be sure to tell them that you're being targeted by an extortionist and give them all the details.

4) File a complaint your state's attorney general, the contact information for whom is at www.naag.org

5) File a complaint online with The Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

If these crooks call back, promise them nothing, pay them nothing and tell them nothing other than that you know they're a scam and that you've reported them to law enforcement. (And be sure to report them to all the agencies above each time they call you.)

By the way, here's just a *small* sample of numbers used by this particular group of scammers. Read the reports and you'll see the same pattern time and again -- phony organization names, thick foreign accents, and oddly worded threats that are so melodramatic and ridiculous that it's laughable:

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-336-553-3965
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-909-6789
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-925-262-1327
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-678-954-6346
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-341-4004
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-856-831-0640
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-949-743-1140
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-410-505-8128
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-917-464-2534
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-210-858-6602
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-775-2121
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-310-909-8245
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-949-743-1156
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-214-245-1402
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-214-245-0922
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-214-723-5572
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-904-425-2863
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-718-831-7157
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-904-425-2857
https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-858-244-0444

It's a scam, and all their threats are false and illegal. See my message below for details and how to report them to federal and state law enforcement.

This person Eva Harris called my work place today.  She demanded from our receptionist that she contact me immediately and transfer the call.  The receptionist told her I am not allowed personal calls at work.  The woman told her it was a legal call not a personal one. Our receptionist responded with if it is not business with our workplace then it is a personal call.  This Harris woman got very mad at her and demanded to speak with her supervisor.  Our receptionist told her he was not available at this time and she yelled at her and hung up the phone.  This crap has been going on for almost a year now...I have done everything possible to stop it I need to know what can be done about these people.  I hate the fact they are being so rude and nasty to our receptionist...who is always nice to me.

First and foremost, file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General at http://myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/Contact ... Economic_Crimes or call 850-414-3990

See my message above for details about this scam and for links to other law enforcement agencies that you can contact in addition to the Florida attorney general.

Hope this helps.

Hello Laura,

           For your information, our intentions are never ever to be rude with anyone. Our staff is very professional and they talk with good antiquates. Even though, If you have felt rude or bad then we really apologize. In fact, our clear intention is purely to help you out and resolve any issues coming upfront. We represent our clients and our clients reserve all the rights to proceed adhere with any actions according to the guidelines of the FDCPA. Now furthermore for any inquires and clarifications kindly call us back on 904-425-9141.


Sincerely,
Mike

Hello EC,

       First of all this is to bring to your notice that we are working hard to trace your IP. Because we are very firm that you are shooting this kind of blogs on the internet to make and feel people negative impression about our company. But for your informations we are registered with FTC and BBB. And further more We advise to go ahead to the attorney general office and inquire about our company. If you got guts then call us on 904-425-9141 and give us your informations where you are located and your phone no. which are are demanding since a long time.

that should prove interesting to several attorneys-general

Hey Check It Out!!!  Check THIS out ====> www.betterwhois.com/bwhois.cgi?verification=4 ... mitbtn=Continue

Most of the garbage on the christiannicholas web site was created in a hurrty in the last few days!  Further, the christiannicholas.com domain name was registered thru a company in (GET THIS!!) Madeira Island, Portugal that allows web site registrants to conceal their identity and location.   Now........how many legit american companies anonymously register their web site domain in friggin' Portugal?????????  This screams SCAM!!!!!!!!!!  Everyone beware of these con men and report 'em to the fbi and police!!

Olé!

Mike--

Do you really think we are that stupid?

First of all, you do not own this website, and your "corporation" cannot track ANYONE'S I.P. address or personal information unless there is a legal action.

Secondly, if you represent a valid company, then give us your full name and company address and telephone number.  We'll show you that we have the guts to file MANY complaints against your illegal operation.

Third, if you represent a valid company, then explain why you refuse to provide written documentation regarding a debt.

Jane Q.

"Mike" sounds like someone to whom English is a second language.  

Regarding the IP tracing (in general) - what has already been stated is accurate.  You would need a court order for the IP logs and another one for the personal info after locating the ISP.  You don't get such an order without good cause.  For some reason I doubt that "Mike" is going to be presenting himself at the station to file a complaint, although there's no doubt that the "boys" would love to make his acquaintance.

But even if you did trace an address - in this day and age of wireless communications that really doesn't amount to much.  Anyone could grab a laptop and ride around, locating and using many different wireless hot spots, each with its own unique IP address.  Tracing them all wouldn't lead you to the actual user.  It would take an operation of the order of the one that snagged Kevin M. to actually find a particular individual by catching them in the act.  Therefore, threats of IP tracing are about as pointy as an unsharpened pencil.


Unfortunately this works both ways.  It's equally difficult to track down someone who is doing wrong, unless they are dumb enough to do it from home.

Hi,

   This is what we got to know. All the above mentioned blogs are shooted by a single individual. We just realized this when our I.T. department came to a resolution by tracing the I.P address. Yes, its you Justin. We are no longer gonna play this game. We got your address and all your records. I know this might shock you but the technology is very advanced. you utilized all this different names to hide your identity. But finally you got caught. We also got all the logs of your calls to our office.

    Justin we are meeting soon. I know you tried a lot to fool and misguide people. but its an unfortunate outcome which was predetermined. So just hold your hands and wait for the auspicious moment.

    Moreover, the biggest blunder you did is letting know other people about our company's website. One can easily browse all the contents of the website and can feel the assurance that the company is well honored and well recognized and is affiliated with FTC and BBB (Federal Trade Commission and Better Business B urea.


Regards,
Mike.

Dear Mike From India---

I'd like to know what your thoughts are on MY post above.  I can assure you that I am not Justin, nor am I male.

I'm assuming that you think "Justin" is "EC."  Even if this person did something wrong (which he didn't,) public consumers have the RIGHT TO KNOW the full name, legal status, physical location, and phone numbers to the company they are dealing with.

Just because you SAY you are such a great company, let's see proof!  You say you are registered with the BBB?  Let's see your ratings on their website!

And you say you are affiliated with the FTC?  That, Mike, is a bald-faced lie.  The Federal Trade Commission neither affiliates themselves nor endorses a company.  They are a government agency, dimwit.

I'd like to reiterate the fact that you cannot trace anyone's I.P. address on this site because, for one, YOU DO NOT OWN THIS SITE.

If you like, I will contact the site owners myself for verification.

Actually, I think I will do that right now.

Jane Q.

Dear Mike From India---

I'd like you to know that I just put in an inquiry to 800Notes.com.

Also, you would probably be interested to know:
http://ask-leo.com/what_can_people_tell_from_my_ip_address.html

Jane Q.