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sickofit · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:54 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein and Live Interactive

I have been using a regular modem to dial into the internet and have the habit of leaving my computer running for long periods. Needless to say, a "Modem Dialer Trojan" program installed itself on my PC and apparently started calling long distance all over the place. I initially saw a charge on my phone bill from Enhaced Services Billing Inc. for a company called MMI World Communications. I Called BellSouth and ESBI and disputed the charges. ESBI eventually removed the charges. I then asked BellSouth to block the dialling of all 900 numbers from my phone. Few weeks later I received three messages on my answering machine from one "Mr. David" at Paul Kupferstein law offices threatening to take me to court. The messages stated that they had "ran" an investigation on my line and that I only had 24 hours to call them back. Having been out of town for the past week, I called Paul Kupferstein's office at (905) 474-3535 and spoke with this "Mr, David" this morning. I asked him what this was about and he told me that an investigation of my phone line had verified calls having been made to "Adult" websites and that I had better send them $699.97 immediately or else they would take me to court and add on several more thousand dollars to the tab. He also urged me to use FedEx and/or UPS (since use of United States Postal Servies would allow the inspector general to investigate the matter later). He insisted that these charges were indisputable regardless of whether or not a malicious program or a human made them. He then gave the 620 Alden Road, Unit 208, Markham, ONT L3R9R7 address and told me to send the payment there. I was debating whether or not to spend several hundred dollars to hire an attorney to fight these people in court or just swallow hard and give them the money and be done with it, when I found this forum. I think I will hold off on sending that check and wait for Mr. David to call me again so that I can give him a piece of my mind. Thank you all for the info.

Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:01 pm Subject:

Many of the consumers have already filed their complaints against Paul Kupferstein law offices as they were not practicing business within the legal lines. You should get complete details before they can take any action against you.

Do not get scared because they will use every means to do so. If the debt is legal, you will definitely pay. But what's the use of paying over an unproven debt.

FloridaGuy · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:02 pm Subject: Paul Kuperstein

I also got a call from this idiot today and they were quite rude... he said it was over 900 charges on my phone bill ....which I took care of 3 months ago...Someone downloaded a dialer on my computer and were making 900 calls...about $131.00 so I had them removed from my phone company... end...but today I got a call from these people and they were ignorant and rude and said they were filing a civil suit against me for $1000 for thier client.. when I explained the situation, he didnt want to hear it and said we'll see you in court. I tried to talk to him and he acted like he didnt have anything to say to me,. just kept saying we'll see you in court.. I asked whats the $1000.00 the charges were $131.00 he said that was interests and legal fees.. guy was a real dick! I was really worried until I found out they were in Canada... how can they persue legal suit in usa.. would cost them a fortune to fly here .. so glad I found this site... Im filing a complaint with the attorney general

Sonia · Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:29 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein

My husband and I had some interesting conversations with this wonderful firm today too, specifically Steve Sargent and we will not be sending them any money whatsoever. We did file a complaint with phonebusters(dot)com and we were told that Paul Kupferstein is a real lawyer, but the firm making these calls is not his firm, we were given their prior name - Zodiac Group.
We were wondering however, how many people starting having problems with these 900 calls after switching internet providers. Our computer was infected on the first day we dialed into NETZERO.
We would also like to track down how he obtained the information because we doubt the company that billed us originally sold our name to him since we have a pending complaint with the FCC on them.
We know that the Paul Kupferstein factor is common to all of us, but we were wondering if there are any other similarities.

Jiminy · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:17 am Subject: Paul Kuperfstein

Same scam happened to me. A mr. David said I owed $1100. then threatened a lawsuit when I called it a scam. Said he taped me and would see me in court.

Katie · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:25 am Subject: Ellis

They cant tape you unless they tell you, tell them your sueing

guest · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 4:32 pm Subject: paul kupferstein

I have been getting phone calls from them too over 900 numbers never called. I knew somethng was not right. I called a lawyer and he said they cant just notify you over the phone.It sounded like a scam to him.

scammed2005 · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:02 pm Subject: Kupferstein

Just got a call about some legal action that will be taken against me, and that I need to call back. Thank God I googled it. Some phony 900 charges were charged to my phone bill about a month ago and the charges were taken off. This scamming crap really pisses me off. I can't wait to call the attourney's office and phone busters! Thanks everyone for the info

Sonia · Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:44 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein

Did anyone start having these problems with 900 calls after switching internet providers to Netzero?

concerned · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 4:53 am Subject: Paul Kupferstein

This company that is using Paul Kupfersteins's name is an unlicensed collection agency, and the owner has a lengthy criminal past they have previously been charged in North Carolina using the law firm of Brian Belmont, Patrick Mlot, and Patrick Wymes they have also had charges filed against them by the State of Kansas. I would suggest that you contact the Law Society of Upper Canada and their website is lsuc.ca and file a complaint as well as contacting your State Attorny General and filing a complaint for violations to the Fair Debt Collection Practises Act. They are not a law firm and Mr. Kupferstein does not have an office in their offices in which is a violation of the law in Ontario and if the Law Society receives complaints they will investigate as they already have a file on these people.

James1332 · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:15 am Subject: Got a call

Same story basically, had 900 numbers on my phone bill that I did not call..disputed got the money taken off.. Got a call from this office telling me they are suing etc..The guy I talked to kept hanging up on me..I want to know who this company really is. Ive got the resources to file lawsuits against them...we need to know what company sold them our names..he mentioned something like interactive...

FloridaGuy · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:35 am Subject: Paul Kupferstein

Hey James 1332 The company is called "Live Interactive" they said they was filing a lawsuit on me too the other day... Wanted me to give them $1000.00 for bogus 900 # charges that I had removed on my phone bill . These guys need to be stopped... They hanged up on me and were very rude...ALso read this I found on another site

If Paul Kupferstein and Associates are bothering you with fraudulent claims
and threats, be sure to report them to 1) phonebusters.com 2) The Law
Society of Upper Canada at 416-947-3300 and 3) your state Attorney General's
office. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Do not
pay them, do not speak with them, and do not worry about their false
threats. They buy old phone records and then try to re-collect on old calls
to 1-900 numbers. They are completely fraudulent criminals

LAW SOCIETY UPPER CANADA COMPLAINT FORM :

�www.lsuc.on.ca/public/complaints_helpf..

MINISTRY OF CONSUMER RELATIONS : COMPLAINT FORM

�www.cbs.gov.on.ca/compform/english/com..

recol.ca/intro.aspx?lang=en

Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:49 am Subject:

If you are concerned about your modem making automatic calls without your permission, you can try a variety of Operating-System-Specific configurations that will prohibit "automatic launch" of "web applications via modem". You can also unplug your modem's telephone cable when you are finished. Same goes for your high-speed users - if you don't have a good reason for maintaining an internet connection, I would strongly advise powering down your cable modem or DSL router.

As for recording you without permission, each state has their own laws about this. Generally speaking it is not permitted without prior consent or announcing it to you. (ie. "Thank you for calling --- your call may be monitored for quality assurance"). Some states require this notification, some don't. But like I said, most likely you're protected and they had no right to record you which is a violation in itself.

Phonebusters and RipOffReport are two great sites to use as a utility in coordination with this forum. I had to use Phonebusters one time and they were EXTREMELY helpful and polite. They provided telephone numbers and points of contact without me even asking for it. Highly reccommended.

elsmore · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:20 am Subject: Paying debts

Refuse to pay ONLY the original bill to whom it is owed. They all are just trying to milk you for every EXTRA dime you are willing to give!

Guest Steph · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:37 pm Subject: Sonia--to answer your question

Sonia, to answer your question--No. We have been with the same ISP (a local one) for over two years now. Somehow one of us must have logged onto a bogus site that downloaded this "Modem Dialer Trojan" program onto our computer.

What's happening here, folks, is Paul Kupferstein & Assoc. is somehow behind that Trojan getting into all our computers. We see the charges on our phone bills and get them removed. The companies the 900 call was placed to sell Kupferstein our information, and he comes after us with bogus claims. Once we find out what it's for, we think we owe him money...and folks that haven't done their research on him, like finding this site, end up getting screwed.

We have been unsuccessful in getting this Trojan off our computer. It still dials out to that 900 # on occasion, but what's saving us now is we had a 900-block placed on our phone line. I would recommend all of you do this if you haven't already in case that Trojan is still in your system.

JOyce Campbell

Received two calls from them concerning 900 calls to my phone bill. The company credited my accout without hesitation. Now this Cooperstein "Law Firm" claims that they are going to sue me for $1500 and have my phone sevice disconnected. I too am going to contact the attorney general in PA and also the Better Business Bureau. Feel better since I definetly know they are scam artists.

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