Jan 29, 2014
THIS IS A SCAM!! I filled out some info on a website back in 2006 and didn't follow through. Never gave banking info or SS# (thank goodness). These idiots have hacked into these websites to get your personal info and relentlessly bug you.
They will stop calling me and then it all starts up again. Happens about every 6 months. I've kept logs of dates and numbers . . there is a pattern . . they NEVER stop. I keep reporting these numbers to the proper authority.
You notice that these people speak with a very heavy Indian accent . . they don't live in the USA. They make up all the info on where they are from. ALSO . . you notice they do not give a toll free number to return their call . . another red flag. A legitimate collection company or legal institution would provide a toll free number. This standard operating procedure. A legit business of this nature would not make you pay for a log distance call.
ALSO . . I've noticed they try to trick you by changing their phone #s often.I've had the SAME person call me the SAME day in less than 1 hour in between the calls . . recognize the voice and name. One phone # was (414)3017782 and the other
(305)8319754. Notice the different area codes??? Do they think I'm THAT stupid?? They lie . . a lot.
I let it go to voicemail! The messages are recorded! I've learned not to pick up these calls . . caller ID is a beautiful thing.
Oh, and if you talk to your local police . . you can't be arrested for defaulting on a payday loan. You would be served with a legitimate court summons from the law office. Again standard operating procedure.
There is an ongoing investigation with the US Attorney General Office and the FBI. You can search the US Attorney General website and type is pay day loan scams. Here are some details of this investigation below. There are many other reports on the website you can review regarding same types of scams.
http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/e-scams
Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans
Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.
According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.
The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim’s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims’ relatives, friends, and employers.
Some fraudsters have instructed victims to fax a statement agreeing to pay a certain amount, on a specific date, via a pre-paid Visa card. The statement further declares the victim will never dispute the debt.
If you receive these calls, do not follow the caller’s instructions. Rather, you should:
◾Notify your banking institutions.
◾Contact the three major credit bureaus and request an alert be put on your file.
◾Contact your local law enforcement agencies if you feel you are in immediate danger.
◾File a complaint at www.IC3.gov.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of this scam:
◾Never give your Social Security number—or personal information of any kind—over the telephone or online unless you initiate the contact.
◾Be suspicious of any e-mail with urgent requests for personal financial information. The e-mail may include upsetting or exciting but false statements to get you to react immediately.
◾Avoid filling out forms in e-mail messages that request personal information.
◾Ensure that your browser is up-to-date and security patches have been applied.
◾Check your bank, credit, and debit card statements regularly to make sure that there are no unauthorized transactions. If anything looks suspicious, contact your bank and all card issuers.
◾When you contact companies, use numbers provided on the back of cards or statements