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JAK · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 5:25 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein

Alert: do not pay this scam artist from canada-report him. He has been harrassing too many people and needs to be stopped threatening phoney charges from phone bills. Please file a complaint to recol ca.

controller7 · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 9:31 pm Subject:

It took awhile but I finally figured out how that 900 charge was initiated. I downloaded an anti-spyware program and when I opened it, nothing happened, initially. A short time later I saw a computer to computer icon popup in my taskbar and it said connection established, no other windows appeared. I have broadband internet and I didn't hear my modem dial so I just figured some one hacked into my computer. I was afraid of identity theft so I shut the computer down. Well, Windows takes so long to shut down that I unplugged the computer cuz I didn't know how fast their software was or what information it could get. When I tried to reformat the hard drive, it was toast and had to be replaced. I can't imagine that any one who uses malicious, deceptive software to hijack a modem would hire an attorney, go through the legal system to collect and more than likely expose themselves to their illegal actions. That leads me to believe the reports about Paul Kupferstein being behind these trojans and/or buying old phone records. I would like to ask Florida Guy how he found out about Kupferstein or the company working out of his office is buying old phone records? Is it a fact, a rumor? Is there an investigation? Also I'd like to ask Guest Steph what she knows, is Kupferstein behind the trojans? Is he buying these records? I don't know if it's proper in this format but I'm willing to communicate through e-mail. We've made a specific e-mail address for this purpose (I'd suggest others who participate do the same so you can just delete it later). I'm willing to leave the address if the moderator gives the OK and others are OK with it too. Otherwise let's just keep it here or form a new blog. I'd really like to get to the bottom of this cuz it seems like there's a lot of stories being told.

controller7 · Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 7:07 am Subject:

I forgot to mention that according to BBB, MMI World Communications formed as a business in AUGUST 2005. MMI World Communications initiated the 900 charge, billed through ESBI then through our JUNE phone bill. On the bill, the call was made in the MIDDLE OF MAY. I don't know how that fits in, if at all, but it sure raises questions.

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 9:44 am Subject:

I had a similar bogus 900 called made from my PC. I have since disconnected my PC from the phone line, since I use a cable modem anyways.

I received a call from Paul Kupferstein and Associates few days ago, where he left a message on my home answering machine. I only check my answering machine once a week, since I believe that if it is important, the person will call back when I am home. Besides, any persons relavent in my life has my cell phone number.

After reviewing this site and several others regarding this firm (it goes back to 2004) I decided that they were not really a law firm.

I am a lawyer, and I work in one of the top law firms in New York. I called them back and asked them to fax all of the relevant court documentation to my assistant (since he said that my case was going to court in 24 hours, there should be filed paperwork) Upon receiving the documentation, I told him that I would gladly appear in court to fight my case. My Firm has Associates in Canada as well. If I am unable to represent myself, I am sure that one of them will gladly represent me.

I requested him to serve me with proper documentation from the court, requesting my attendance, case date, and the name of the judge that will be handling my case.

I also began the conversation stating that I am recording our coversation, and clearly stated that anything said in the conversation may be used against him.

That was a week ago.

I have not received any documentation yet.

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 11:29 am Subject:

And you will not receive any in future also. They've realized that you're already informed about their activities and it won't be easy to deal with you.

I really appreciate the way you tackled them. Please let us know if you collect some more information on them.

Bryan

carl · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:56 pm Subject: Same Here

I was called Mr. David today with the same line. Hasd anyone gotten a followup call from these scumbags?

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:06 am Subject:

It makes not sense what so ever to me that you can be arrested for owing money!!! First of all when you owe the government money I would think that is the most serious, and quite frankly I have owed Student Loans to the gov. and they have never threatened to arrest me behind it. That is our goverenment, so how any other company can say they are!!!! The way I look at it challange them let them know you know the law. Say ok so you are going to waste more of your money on a out of state process server to serve a warrent to me legaly? Then at that point you are going to pay the court fees? Plus I can not think of any police department that will pay to extrodite-sp? me to another town so I can go to jail there. Gosh these people are dumb(meaning the debt collectors). Play the same game they are with you!!!

Daniella

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 10:07 am Subject:

Daniella,

collection agencies take the chance of our lack of knowledge. Most of the people don't know the rules stated under fdcpa and as a result they cannot protect themselves from the unethical collection activities.

There is no such jail that is made for debtors! If a collection agency threatens you of an arrest, don't get scared, laugh on them instead.

Paul · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:39 am Subject: Kupferstein legal action

WE JUST GOT scammed by this Kupferstein freak. The sargent called my dad up and told him he owed 600 dollars becuase of some 1-900 numbers that were made from our computer for three days at the end of May. The thing was, my parents were out of town at the time of the phone calls, but my sister and I were still at the house and on those nights we had friends over. When we heard about this we thought maybe someone who was at the house made these calls as a practical joke or something and now we were going to have to pay over 600 bucks for it. Threatend with legal action, my dad just wrote the check and sent it today, but now doing more research online we can see that we got screwed real bad. We were wondering if anyone has tried to file a civil or criminal lawsuit against Kupferstein, and if so, was there any success? Our main concern here is whether or not we get the money back, and if we can actually take some serious legal action against these guys.

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:51 pm Subject:

Hi Paul

Was there any disclosure when you or your friends made the calls to 1-900 numbers? If it was not stated legally before making the call, you can file your complaints at the DA's office in your state. You can also add your complaint at the FTC and the BBB.

Robyn · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 4:25 pm Subject: Mr. Sargent

My husband and I are yet more victims to this scam. The man who left the message on our machine was Mr. Sargent and I called him back since it was the 2nd day in a row that he had called. He also told us that we would be receiving papers to go to court within 3-5 business days. What do we do??

sickofit · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:26 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein

Robyn,

Do yourself a favor and call Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501. They are an official arm of the RCMP and have an extensive file on these crooks. They are slowly but surely building a criminal case against them and they need the help of everyone who is being harassed by these con artists. If you are certain that no legitimate calls were made from your house and that your are a victim of modem hijacking, stand your ground. Demand for them to send you a detailed log of the alleged calls and make sure to tell them that you WILL hire an attorney and that you WILL see them in court. Don't get intimidated and certainly don't send them any money until they can prove to you that the charges are legitimate. Good luck.

Robyn · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 5:35 pm Subject:

sickofit,

Thanks for the advice. You said this happened to you too--what did you do, and has it since been resolved?

sickofit · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:21 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein

Robyn,

My story can be found at the top of page 2 of this post. Like everybody else on this forum, the charges for the 900 numbers I was being told to pay were completely fraudulent. The calls were made from my modem by a modem dialer without my knowledge or consent. The first and last time I spoke with these crooks was over three weeks ago. Of course, they threatened to take me to court within 24 hours and all that jazz. I filed a complaint with my state DA, phonebusters and FTC. Other than that, I did not contact them again and have not received any more phone calls or any documents from them. I can only say that if they do suit me, I will spend every penny I can muster to fight these criminals. They count on people not standing up to them and just sending them a check. Again, I urge you to call the above three agencies and if they do contact you again, be polite but firm in your stance. Offer no personal information other than the bogus case number they have assigned to you and insist on seeing an itemized invoice. They will try to tell you that since you disputed the charges through your phone company, there is no way for them to get the transactions and call details to you. Too bad. You should not have to pay fraudulent charges on your phone bill and then try to collect from these bastards afterwards. Tell them that without times and dates of these calls you will not pay and if they threaten to take you to court tell them that you'll see them there. You can also check out the following website for complaints regarding the billing agency that handles the initial billing for crooks like these. Good luck.....

badbusinessbureau.com

[Link made inactive as per forum rules-Denny]

MikeZ · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:17 am Subject:

My wife received a call from them two weeks ago today. Same story, bogus 900 number calls that we didn't pay. When we called the phone company, they said it was probably a dialer virus and they would remove the charges. When, presumably, Kupferstein's office spoke to my wife, who's name our telephone service is in, they quickly referred to the 900 calls, informed us we were being sued, very quickly gave her the name of their firm, but so quickly that she was unable to remember it, and hung up on her.

I found this thread only because I googled their phone number off the caller I.D. Its been two weeks and we still have not heard from them again or received anything via the mail, UPS, FedEx... nothing.

I did, however, purchase recording equipment so that if they call again we can record the telephone conversation.

honestabe2 · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 2:15 pm Subject: Paul Kupferstein

I am an Illinois attorney looking into this for a friend. It is the same story as most, i.e., an urgent message and a rude "Mr. David" threatening to turn off phone service, ruin credit, sue and demanding cashier's check by end of day. Thank goodness my friend called before the check was sent. No money was sent per my advice. Now we are working with the Attorney General's Office in Illinois. We also have contacted the BBB of Markham Ontario and were informed of another name for Liability Solutions. It is International Billing and Recovery Services, Inc. and it has an unsatisfactory record for failing to respond to two or more complaints (it has had 4 in 36 mos.) I am wondering if any type of more coordinated effort could be undertaken, although will be contacting as many agencies and entities as possible including those listed on this highly informative and helpful site! Perhaps some of the claims are legitimate, but the vast majority, like the claim against my friend, are not. Does anyone know if this Paul Kupferstein is the same as one who works at another law firm with other attorneys in Markham or is he solo? I called that law firm but that Paul Kupferstein was "out of town." Also, is he the same Paul Kupferstein as the professor at Huber College who is rated poorly and referred to as a scam artist on ratemyprofessors.ca? I have only just begun my research and efforts. If I do determine that this is a true scam, I plan to contact the media also.
Thanks.

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