Mar 29, 2011
If someone is calling you from a so-called "Law Center" as stated above and are threatening you about a debt you know NOTHING about, be very aware that you have NOTHING to fear.
See the website of the FDCPA (put in place by your government to protect you from these scammers, as well as keeping real debt collectors in line...):
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...edit/cre27.pdf
They say they access a "police database"... They say you might be arrested... They say you have to "by law" abide in what they are telling you to do... They threaten with any kind of tough talk... ALL WRONG! See section 807...
You want them to cease immediately? Cite (and follow through with) section 809 of the FDCPA...
On the other hand, there are penalties for violating these laws. See section 813. Have a pen and paper ready to log each FDCPA regulation that they violate. Better yet, if it is within your legal right and availability, record the call. When you have these violations logged, turn them into your State Attorney General... GO AFTER THEM.
Awareness is the most effective defense for a lot of things in today's society. Thankfully we do have internet forums to alert our fellow citizens of these facts during these tough times. These predators prey on your fear are hoping for ignorance. Spread the word.
I am a self employed individual who has for years received all kinds of messages, calls, emails, pertaining to these types of scams. Quite frankly I'm sick of it. None of them have fooled me, but quite frankly a lot of them are an annoyance and can waste time if you let them. It's easiest to just hang up on all of them with an abrupt "do not call here again!" However, not everyone can afford to do that, as some really are in trouble with debt and some of these calls may be legit. Therefore, it is good to be well acquainted with the above site, and be prepared to take action of your own. Most often, the real debt collectors can be just as rude and violating of these rights as the scammers. They can ALL be held accountable for violations.
So, good luck people. Fight fire with fire. If almost everyone knew about these laws, these scammers would indeed fade away. Especially because of what can be done according to section 813. Scammer would be busted, and some of the bad apples in the real collection agencies would fold from paying so many fines.