9186024011

Please see what Alfalfa replied with above, it's 100% true.
My call said Elizabeth Grier with Howard Steiner and Associates. She stated she has a file on me (never once mentioned my name) and would document my file for processing if I didn't return her call. This is a scam. As above noted, do not return these calls. People try to threaten you with "processing" or legal action to get some kind of money owed to them or debt written off, or something else completely. Sometimes it's a payday loan I have heard from a lot of people. The point is in real legal matters, you will receive things in the mail and have legitimate information to follow up with and they do not harass you. You'll know when you are talking to legal council. DO NOT CALL THESE PEOPLE BACK AND GIVE THEM A CREDIT CARD OR CHECK NUMBER. They may be "threatening you" but it's just a scare tactic.

I am re-posting the thread form above (again thanks Alfalfa) in case it's gone by the time you read my post

FROM ALFALFAS POST:
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/

Same scam, different phone number but same attorneys office, said I took out a payday loan with a company called Netloans for roughly $1900, the phone number they called from (918)201-2019 SCAM SCAM SCAM She wanted me to give her my account info and pay one lump sum or set up payments today without reviewing any information about this, she threatened arrest, jail time and more fees.

same here these calls are every other day I also recently purchased a vehicle. Complete scam

Elizabeth Greer (Googled, she's an actress!) claiming to be from: Howard, Steiner & Associates, called from (918)201-2019 to leave a VM stating; I had several complaints filed against me, to call back otherwise a note would be documented on the claim against me.  "Total Scam!!"  I called back, didn't get to speak to any Elizabeth, but a nice young lady who verified who I was...They had my address from 2012, my social, and the routing number on my prepaid Visa card, but not the account number, easy to have my phone number, I've had it for 15 years.  The routing number is the same for the entire company and all consumers using this system and Visa card.  They said years and has also doubled as my business line too.  So, I'm being sued for soliciting...Mind you; Soliciting...an online loan.  Hmmm, I don't ever recall doing this and why would I?  So I investigated the company and found NO familiarity nor did my email work to retrieve a password on their site.  They provide loans with over 300% interest...now why would I charge myself this much, again, why would I need a loan, even ONLINE?  So, there are NO records of ANY form of loans to my account for time period they specified...again, either this is my Ex and has stolen my identity again to support his bad Gambling and Drug addiction...or I'm being pressured in a scam.  Very Interesting, non the less...I plan to counter sue if this goes further, and prosecute if this is in fact stolen identity.   If they call you, don't panic, chances are...it's unscrupulous.

I got the same call from the same number in the comment above! Stating it was Elizabeth Greer and I needed to return their call or my legal council needed to. Scam.

I too get calls from Elizabeth Greer, Howard Steiner and Assoc's. Says me and my legal counsel need to call. There is a filing in their office. When you google the number and Howard Steiner and Assocs. It does not come up with anything!! It's a Scam!!

They told me I did an on line loan in 2012. It was suppose to be for 500. Dollars and they said I had to pay 1800. I didn't do this but I'm concerned if someone has my information.  They said they had my social and birthday but didn't give it to me. Iv had several calls.

Nothing wrong with an 08  ford 150.  My dad always said that the best car in the world was the one in the best possible condition...that you can afford.

Also,  okc is in area code 405.    918 is Tulsa area and most of eastern Oklahoma.

I had been receiving calls and messages for a little over a week from 918-615-9866 regarding a criminal matter. I was finally able to answer a call and speak to someone. The guy on the line said he was Tyler Collins from H&S Associates. He said the recent bankruptcy I filed did not include the company he represented. He claimed the company never reported to the credit bureaus so they could pursue the matter criminally. He even told me what my charges were: Criminal intent to fraud using personal identification and Scheming to defraud a financial institution.He said they would be contacting the authorities and I could do jail time. He said papers had been mailed to me a couple of months ago requesting the name of my representation, he verified my name, my address, and even my bankruptcy lawyer (all of these are public record because of the bankruptcy) When I asked which loan company they represented, he said it was ANNEX FINANCIAL. When I asked for a telephone number he said he did not have one for them. He did however have a debt amount $1843.65. Everyone, these people are good scammers, you have got to be careful not to give out personal information and not to just whip out your checking account or credit card number and pay people you have not verified. Don't be afraid to ask questions and do research. After I told him I would do research and get back to him, I went online and looked up the company he said I owed, nothing came up. So then I tried looking up H&S Associates and nothing came up. Then I simply typed the telephone number I was receiving calls from into the search engine and that's when I got a hit. Lots of people who were scammed by this same "company". DON'T FALL FOR IT.

The simple solution to all this would have been to tell him your attorney's name and phone number.  He is required to then stop contacting you and only deal with the attorney.  Since you have already retained the attorney for the bankruptcy, it would have cost you nothing, since that is now the attorney's job.  The attorney should have informed you of this.
File complaints here to alert authorities:Read up on your rights here, get template letters to send 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:  http://consumerfraudreporting.org/stateattorneygenerallist.php

Also have been receiving these calls CONSTANTLY. I literally just hung up the phone with them less than 5 minutes ago. I recently filed bankruptcy... so I was very distressed, thinking something may have been missed or someone had taken out a loan in my name with my information. The key is I KNOW I have never taken out a loan online, but they are good and had me so worried! It is crazy the things you can begin to believe when you are in a vulnerable state. The voicemail messages say "This is Joann Palmer calling from Howard Steiner and Associates. You are receiving this message in reference to a complaint we have received. Please call our office at 918-615-9866. Please be advised that this matter does require your immediate attention and we need to speak to you or your legal counsel immediately. However, if we do not receive a response we will document your file and submit it for processing"

They are posing as mediators between creditor and debtor and never could quite tell me what their PURPOSE was as a "mediation" company. They claimed I took out a loan from Rise Credit between $400 and $600.  They said the debtor is not longer allowed to contact me and I cannot contact them - it is a part of the mediation. When I told them I had spoken with someone at Rise, they replied by stating Rise would not have my information since the account had been closed. I asked them over and over and over to send me something in writing - they claimed they could not since the information was all sent to my old address 6 weeks ago. I wish I would have thought to record all of this!

They said would be filing papers with the state for criminal charges; my intent upon receiving the loan was malicious and fraud b/c I did not intend to pay it back. (?! seriously?..) I asked over and over what it is that I could do to keep this from happening. She said that they can contact the creditor to see if they would even accept a settlement at this point; they may just file the charges. Again, I am thinking to myself, why is this company even involved?....

They gave me an old address from 2012 and the last 4 digits of my bank acct number at that time! Yikes. A little unsettling that they have that information. Luckily that account has been closed since late 2012. Another red flag- I did not live at that address in 2012 and had not lived there for years. Why in the world would I put that on a loan application!? They also said I needed a criminal lawyer for this (not my bankruptcy lawyer) since this is a criminal and not civil case.

I also talked to "Scott" who said he was the manager and I kind of explained what was going on when I had spoken with the other woman and he said "if she asked for any information from you, she would be in trouble!" He made it sound so legit since they aren't actually asking for any of my information or money (yet). They also transferred me to the same person the 3 times that I called; she had my "case file"; I am sure they do this for continuity of conversation with the same person - it makes them appear more legitimate. The woman never lost her cool, she was patient and explained everything in a flat, professional voice. They are well informed scammers and good at talking in circles; I was so sick of them calling multiple times per day and decided I needed to do some investigating. Thanks to this message board I realized I was being had. (thank you everyone for posting your experiences!)

I finally got them to screw up; I wanted to play their own game! I asked them repeatedly what the purpose of them speaking to my attorney would be. She finally said, "So we can send him, and you, an evidence packet" (after she had claimed in the last conversation that they did not actually have the evidence; all of that information was retained by Rise (creditor) and not given to them, but would be used in court). I then asked them why they could not just send that to me, because I may decide to represent myself. She then said, "Ok, we will send that to you this week!"... Ummmm... didn't you also say you couldn't send me anything in writing when I talked to you last?! I then told them I had a number for the attorney I would be in touch with and gave them the local police department phone number - haha :) I am daring them to call back. I will have fun with the "evidence packet" information and will be sure to record that conversation.

I am assuming if I had not done my research and continued to respond, they would have called me back at some point soon and said "the company has agreed on X amt of dollars to settle and you won't have charges filed against you", and THAT'S how they get the money.