A letter was sent to me in early January from an Asset Recovery Associates. The letter included an account number, a balance of approximately 10,000 and a specific creditor name: Marshall Auto Marketing. When I contacted "ARA", I was set up with a supposed customer service representative that rattled off my social security number.
At this point, I assumed that ARA perhaps was a legit creditor; however, I did NOT provide my checking or banking information.
After my brief conversation with a "Steve Green" of ARA, I decided to do some of my own research, stumbling upon this site with countless testimonials of how people were scammed and swindled after giving out their banking information.
I realized what was happening. This company was preying on people with any former credit problems due to death in a family, divorce or any other kind of debt tied to family or personal. When I called back to speak with them further, they told me the bill was in reference to a repossessed car. I knew that I had cosigned a family member, who ended up with a repossession. However, the vehicle creditor didn't match up with the make and model of the car originally signed for, nor could ARA give me any information on the vehicle; make model or original account number. What they did do, was press me for banking information, "even if I were to make a small payment", so that the account wouldn't move into a delinquent state. They are very sneaky about it, but you will notice that they will continue to press you for banking information
This is a very well organized scam. Some of the information they have on file will lead you to believe that they are a real company; ie) having your social security number, and even knowing facts about your credit history, in my case, a repo. I would highly advise that you by all means, DO NOT give out any banking information and take action by contacting the FBI and the BBB.
If enough of us stand together, perhaps we can prevent this from happening to others who would be more susceptible to giving out their information and then ultimately robbed.
List of predators:
Steve Green
Mark Farme
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