Threats, unfounded
Date: Mon, 08/23/2010 - 21:20
I got a phone call this morning from the "Bureau of Crime Investigations." The number came up as 1-320-056-745. The person with the heavy accent was supposedly named Mr. Gibson. I did, in a moment of weakness, apply for some payday loans earlier this year online. I never received any money.
This person had my date of birth, the name of my bank, and would only divulge the last 4 numbers of my social, but they were correct which freaks me out. He had a date in April of this year, 2010, that I received money, supposedly $300 that had bloomed into $634 that I "owe" them now. I never received money from a lender.
I have access online with my account, and get texts every time something happens with my checking account and there is no record of receipt of any money, let alone exactly $300, on that date or any dates within 5 days + or - either way. I told the person that I didn't owe, he responded that I had made a legal contract and I owed it. He stated that the "case" would be "downloaded" and I could expect a warrant for my arrest within 2 days. Now, having said all that, I asked him questions to help him with his English to tell him what the terms were. I asked him where the charges would be filed, he kept saying, "In Missouri..." I said, city police or county sheriff? He kept saying, "In Missouri." I asked where he was located, he would not tell me and kept repeating I would be charged in Missouri. I continued to ask where in the United States he was located and he kept repeating that I would be arrested in Missouri (I explain in a minute about how he got different terms that I put in his mouth.)
The threat really hit home when he read off FIVE offenses that I would be prosecuted for. I don't remember any of them, just that they included words like fraudulent and unlawfully obtaining and giving inaccurate information.
He was using extremely general terms such as, "The law will have your name and will come to your address for you." I put the words "warrant" and "arrest" in his mouth. He agreed and repeated the words after I said them. I hope I did not help them in making others' lives hell. I happen to have a lawyer on retainer at this point in time, and I had him call them. He confirmed it is a ridiculous scam.
How would I go about prosecuting them? I have no experience with the law, other than helping victims I've counseled!
Any suggestions for when they call me back?!?
This person had my date of birth, the name of my bank, and would only divulge the last 4 numbers of my social, but they were correct which freaks me out. He had a date in April of this year, 2010, that I received money, supposedly $300 that had bloomed into $634 that I "owe" them now. I never received money from a lender.
I have access online with my account, and get texts every time something happens with my checking account and there is no record of receipt of any money, let alone exactly $300, on that date or any dates within 5 days + or - either way. I told the person that I didn't owe, he responded that I had made a legal contract and I owed it. He stated that the "case" would be "downloaded" and I could expect a warrant for my arrest within 2 days. Now, having said all that, I asked him questions to help him with his English to tell him what the terms were. I asked him where the charges would be filed, he kept saying, "In Missouri..." I said, city police or county sheriff? He kept saying, "In Missouri." I asked where he was located, he would not tell me and kept repeating I would be charged in Missouri. I continued to ask where in the United States he was located and he kept repeating that I would be arrested in Missouri (I explain in a minute about how he got different terms that I put in his mouth.)
The threat really hit home when he read off FIVE offenses that I would be prosecuted for. I don't remember any of them, just that they included words like fraudulent and unlawfully obtaining and giving inaccurate information.
He was using extremely general terms such as, "The law will have your name and will come to your address for you." I put the words "warrant" and "arrest" in his mouth. He agreed and repeated the words after I said them. I hope I did not help them in making others' lives hell. I happen to have a lawyer on retainer at this point in time, and I had him call them. He confirmed it is a ridiculous scam.
How would I go about prosecuting them? I have no experience with the law, other than helping victims I've counseled!
Any suggestions for when they call me back?!?
It is a scam. Debts are civil, not criminal. Report it to your
It is a scam. Debts are civil, not criminal. Report it to your local police department.
Soaplady is correct. When they call back, let them know that yo
Soaplady is correct. When they call back, let them know that you are aware this is a scam and hang up. If they call again after that, ignore the calls. They'll go away eventually.
