Bottomfeeder question

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Originally Posted by Anonymous I have filed several times with the FTC and the NYS attorney generals office but nothing has ever came out of it. Matter of fact I just filed another one with both. Each time they use a different # and name. I am dumbfounded as to how they got his information. I know that I had filled out for a PDL but backed out so that is how they got mine but my husband is VERY VERY careful with his info and like I said doesn't even know how to operate a computer lol

Gees, scary stuff. I would definitely change my phone number.

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Originally Posted by Shazzers There are a lot of Identity thieves out there that seem to be able to obtain any and all the information they need for the purpose of scamming others. It's hard to know for sure how one is able to obtain all this personal info, but it's very scary. Change your home phone number, it's a scam and needs to be reported asap to the FTC!

The information was obtained from a loan application. They have people involved with the scam that are quite capable of throwing together rather convincing looking websites that appear to be authentic cash advance websites where the sole purpose is just to harvest information. The site will ask you for all of the usual info that other payday loan sites require, but in the end you might be redirected to another payday loan site or you may be notified you don't qualify for a loan at all.

Then, months or even years later you will be contacted. The information you unintentionally provided them with was bought and sold for pennies on the dollar. You'll be threatened with all kinds of crazy just to get you to agree to pay. Don't agree to anything.

What you should do from here:

File a police report for harassment over the telephone and suspected identity theft. The callers have just about everything on you, including banking info. Using the police report contact your bank and close the account you have and open a new account with them or change banks altogether. Make sure that once your old account is closed that an ACH debit cannot reopen it.

What number are you being called at? Home, a cell phone, a work phone?

Using the police report you should be able to get a one-time number change at no cost. Verizon offered me a one-time number change at no cost. It was very helpful.

Now, do you know who you may have provided as a reference for a loan in the past? As soon as you disconnect your personal number and get a new number assigned to you, the calls will increase in frequency on other numbers associated with your identity. Advise them that the calls are regarding an illegal collections scam and to disregard them.

Next, sign up for a free service called Google Voice. Initially you will have to provide them with one forwarding number and verify ownership of that number, but you can later remove it. You will use Google Voice to throw off the crooks and keep them from calling your listed references less often. Using the Google Voice line, call the crooks at least one time to identify yourself and after they have confirmed your identity and start their script hang up. Now, remove your forwarding number from the account and force all calls to go to Google Voice's voicemail. The handy part about this is that the voice mails left can be retrieved at any time, saved as an mp3 and forwarded on to others for review. (Perfect for providing to law enforcement)

If you currently have ANY accounts in collections it is a good idea to use Google Voice as the primary contact number. Let them leave messages there. You can document the number of calls received, missed and messages left by contact. Messages getting abusive or harassing? Now you have evidence. If you do set up a forwarding number for Google Voice, pressing the number 4 key during a call starts up in-call recording.

Consider filing a credit freeze with the major bureaus. It's $10 per company but if you are a victim of identity theft or suspect it AND have a police report that fee can be waived.


Lastly, and most important, be honest with friends and family. These calls are not your fault, but knowing why you are getting them and notifying everyone that might receive a call why they are happening is helpful. Tell your employer what is going on as well - these people will call and harass you at work if they have a number.

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Originally Posted by Anonymous I too am getting the calls from the "heavy accented indians" who claim I am being arrested etc etc. they have called my work, and cell - I have told them I'm gonna file with the FTC and attorney general but that hasn't stopped them. Here is my question, they are now calling my house and my husbands cell saying my husband took out a pdl which I know he didn't because I do all the banking so I would know, they have his social and everything how did they get that? My husband doesn't even know how to operate a computer so what do I do?

my name is michael and i work for a 3rd party collection agency out of buffalo..these heavy accented indian/middle eastern people are a scam..it is illegal to threaten arrest although there are a few states with debtor jail terms now..alot of my clients have complained to me about these people..HANG UP ON THEM