(240) 329-2092

Consumer Alert: Attorney General warns Kansans of debt collection scamJanuary 29, 2010 -- Attorney General Steve Six is cautioning Kansas consumers about telephone calls from apparent fake debt collectors who are impersonating law enforcement officers in an effort to extort money from consumers.   Consumers are warned to not submit payments to these fraudulent debt collectors.When calling, the scammers most often state they are attempting to collect a debt related to an internet payday loan obtained by the consumer, but which the consumer never repaid.  Consumers state they have never obtained such a loan or paid off the loan years ago.  The scam artists have most recently identified themselves as ACS, National Affidavit Processing Department and United Financial Crime Division, but may use additional phony names.  It appears the phone numbers used by the scammers are “s****ed” numbers, so that the number appearing on a consumer’s caller ID is not the actual number of where the call originated. It appears the calls in question may be originating from outside the United States.When questioned, the individual calling refuses to disclose the full name or address of the collection agency they claim to represent.  These scammers have been able to provide consumers with identifying information, such as the consumer’s social security number, home address, e-mail address, names of family members and the consumer’s computer IP address.  Since the callers are able to provide valid personal information, consumers may become confused and believe they are being contacted in regard to a legitimate debt.If the initial debt collection scam is unsuccessful, consumers have been re-contacted months later with the scammers posing as law enforcement officers or officers of the court.  Typically, the consumer is threatened with arrest for fraud or some other fic***ious crime unless the consumer agrees to immediately wire money via Western Union.  The fic***ious officers strive to frighten and confuse consumers into compliance by using legal sounding terms such as “We’re filing an affidavit a***nst you” or by stating a lawsuit has been or is in the process of being filed a***nst the consumer.A hallmark of each scam has been calling consumers repeatedly at their place of employment.  This scam hit home when an employee of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office was repeatedly called both on her cell phone and at work.  Despite the employee’s repeated verbal disputes, the caller refused to provide any identifying information to allow her to send a written dispute. The scammer also continued to call her numerous times a day regarding a payday loan she denied obtaining. Two months later, she was a***n contacted by telephone by an individual identifying himself as an “officer”. “I denied owing the debt and refused to pay without being provided validation of the debt. I was then told, ‘If that’s the case, I will have local law enforcement come to your place of business and drag you out kicking and screaming’,” stated the employee.“It is important for consumers to know their rights under the law,” Attorney General Six said. “If a consumer is receiving calls from a debt collection company and believe it is a scam, I encourage them to contact our office immediately.”Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors are required to send consumers a written notice within five days of the initial contact.  The notification should contain  information such as the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed and a statement informing the consumer they have thirty days to contact the debtor in writing to dispute the debt or request validation of the debt. In addition, legitimate debt collectors are prohibited by the FDCPA from making false or misleading representations, such as the consumer has committed a crime, implying nonpayment will result in the consumer’s arrest, or using the threat of violence.More information is available on the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf. To register a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, call 1(800) 432-2310 or visit www.ksag.org.http://www.ksag.org/page/consumer-alert-attor ... collection-scam

This person called and said there name was Officer Wrong Collins... She said my name so well on the phone as if she new me.  She left on the message that she was from the Federal Crime Investigation....so I was in a panic.  She explained that there was a serious crime being filed a***nst me and that I needed to call them as soon as possible... The part that was interesting and made me think that this was a scam, was at the end of the message, she said, call asap and if not back in a time, they will file a case a***nst me and "good luck"  I was scared and called when I received the message, I called and there was no answer... I left a message and explained who I was and that she can call me back... She never did.... Then I called today hoping someone would answer and it was a busy number... I really don't know what's going on, but so far, I feel a lot better that it might be scam... Hopefully it doesn't happen to others and get them scared... I sure was and hope the best for everyone else...

I got the same call from a supposed officer of the court.  He said that an affadavit had been signed and I was going to be arrested for violation of federal banking policies, check fraud, and theft by deception.  Supposedly I had applied for a cash advance/payday loan and the money had been electronically deposited into my account.  When I asked what bank it was deposited in he told me Alabama CU, which I have never heard of.  He said that if I didn't pay $415 immediately, that they would come to my work and arrest me.  They have called my cell, home, and work number numerous times.  A couple of weeks ago they threatened to come to my house and "show me the face of the devil" and today they left an expletive voicemail and my place of work.

I received a phone message from this number, (240) 329-2092, claiming that if I did not give this message to my sister in law, I would be liable for charges also.  I called them, and someone speaking in a middle eastern dialect answered, I asked his name and they claimed it was Mike Watson, I could barely understand them on the phone, I had to keep asking them to please repeat what they were saying.  They said my sister in law was under 3 seperate charges of credit card fraud.  My sister in law called them, and "Mike Watson" answers the phone saying it was the office of Financial Crimes.  She had a law enforcement officer with her and when he got on the phone to talk to him, "Mike Watson" ***g up the phone.

Another "collector agency," The usual Indian accent, claims to be Christopher Washington. He says they are calling on behalf on  Cash Advance, they couldn't tell me what ***nch, when the loan was taken out. If you get a call from them, you are being scammed. I just called them, asked exactly what company they were from, they claimed they didn't know, just that it was an under-company of Cash Advance. (I'm military, so Cash Advance won't make me a loan.) I told them I had done the research on them. They then told me that they were calling the police, and that I would be behind bars within a couple hours. When I asked how he was going to manage that when I live in ***an, he ***g up on me.

Mr. James Crotch, continues to call and harrass my place of employment telling my employer I am being criminally investigated.  I am not a criminal I am a hard working person and when I asked them the name of the company and to provide me with paperwork confirming there accusations they tell me as soon as I go to Walmart and purchase a green pack money order and send payment they will provide me the paperwork.  They will not tell me the name of the company they work for or who is trying to collect a debt.  I am not ****** enough to send someone money when I have no do***entation that I owe them.

I have received calls from this number stating that I am involved in a financial investigation. They have my address and phone number. They make allegations that I am being investigated for money issues. I cannot totally understand the person. He is definitely a male with an accent that resembles one from India. I believe this to be a total scam. He was stating that I needed to take care of this matter and that I needed to send 125.00 immediately to stop further charges. He does state that he is some kind of a detective. Very strange. This is just to give others a heads up.

called and said that I was going to be arrested for financial crimes if I didn't send them $415. They threatened to come to my house and "show me the face of the devil" if I didn't pay. They left expletive voicemails threatening me. When I called them back, they said that it was about a cash advance/payday loan that I never paid back. But they could not give me any info such as which cash advance business, bank it was deposited in.

They keep calling me telling me they are a debt collection agency and that I'm being charged with criminal charges. Then they told me they are a police officer and that i had to send them a moneygram. I was all set to send the moneygram when they said red and white form (which is to a specific person). I believe this is a scam.

They have also called me asking me to fax a letter and stating that i did not have any intentions of committing fraud and to send them a check of 1,920 when i didn't even do anything  its all bull s**t people will do anything to trick you and get money out of you i could even understand her.

I just got the same call.  Someone with an extremely thick Indian accent claiming a legal complaint has been filed a***nst me.  They also said that they have my social security number.  When I did a reverse look up on this phone number, it came up as an unpublished number out of Hagerstown MD.

They keep calling wanting my husbands social security number and thats all that you can understand from the foreign guy calling.  That and that there is a legal case going on with his name listed.  It is definetley a scam because we surely don't have any legal cases pending.

I keep getting the same calls. I can't really understand what they are saying since it is a language I dont speak, but they tell me I am being criminally investigated. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me either.Is anyone else receiving these calls?

dnt give them money they are scammers......they will tell you bt they can't do anything i have trace them all & they are giving calls from "INDIA"   this is scam........no need to give them money.....scam scam scam scam......................."SCAMMERS"....this is "BULL S**T"......scammers......

this a**hole just called me n acted like a detective askin about my ex fiance. they said their name was josh robinson...idk who the***** they are but this is just bu***hit

yes, they called me as well saying the same thing. That I'm under a financial crime investigation, for my lawer to call them. It's all a big scam.

erroneously trying to collect money, information and any other kind of data that someone unsuspectingly would give.badgering, threatening, and promises to call employer.

I just got the same number calling me, saying the same things.

I also recieved a call from this number stating the same thing.

they call my work they said they from financial crime investigation

THEY ARE NOT SCAM..PEOPLE MAKE THEM SCAM....