I received a call at work on October 14th from someone claiming to be from the Department of Law and Investigation. He said that his name was Officer Jack Smith, however he spoke with a thick accent (possibly Indian). He told me, before I had a chance to say anything, not to interrupt him, that he had a very important message to give me about a pending case against me for bank fraud, identity theft, and several other felony offenses.
I listened to him as he proceeded to tell me my name, current and former address, phone numbers, social security number, and my bank routing number. He had also listed 2 individuals that I had listed as a reference for a pay-day loan almost a year ago. He then told me that I accepted a $450 pay-day loan in December and had not paid it back. I needed to pay him over $500 or go to jail. Seeing that it was almost a year ago, and I remembered that I had applied for a pay-day loan, I immediately proceeded to my on-line banking website and pulled up my bank statement from December. I did not find any deposit to my account from anyone other than my employer for December or any of the surrounding months.
I told the man on the phone that I had not received a pay-day loan and I could verify that with legal bank documents. He proceeded to yell at me profusely about why I didn't pay back the loan I received and I again stressed that I could legally prove that I had not received any loan from any company in the month he claimed that I received the money. He continued to yell at me, threatening jail time and my employment as well—I hung up on him. He called 4-5 more times (I could see his number from Caller ID) and I did not answer.
I immediate "Googled" The Department of Law and Investigation and came upon hundreds of sites stating that this was a very popular scam right now and that they have been doing this all over the US for several months now.
This man called again the next day and asked to speak to my manager and I quickly remembered the accent and the phone call I had previously. I asked this man what he wanted and he wouldn't tell me. I asked him if this was the same man that called me the previous day and he started yelling again and I hung up. The same man called again a few minutes later to one of my coworkers and asked to speak with the President and CEO of the company. He had threatened to get ahold of my manager to tell him/her that I was a fraud and that I needed to be fired and I guess he was doing his best to get ahold of anyone who would listen.
I contacted a lawyer friend of mine to ask what my options are.in this economy, I certainly don't need anyone calling my employer and causing problems—even if it isn't true. This lawyer reassured me that this was indeed a well-known scam and that I should first and foremost not give any information out. I had complied with this from the beginning. He also recommended that since he was trying to reach my employer, that I might want to notify my manager about the situation to try and contain it before something dire happened. I talked to my manager and he contacted the appropriate individuals who are now aware of this scam and their harrassment of me in the workplace. Also, he said that I should file a police report. I filed a police report with the local police department and they will attempt to investigate (although I am sure my report is not their top priority by any means—but at least it is on record).
My lawyer friend also told me that what these people are doing is illegal. The Fair Debt Collection Act prevents even legitimate debt collectors from doing what this guy is doing—calling you at work! Whoever is doing this is definitely doing something illegal and I wish that someone could or would stop it! He is using the telephone to harass and intimidate people into paying him money and it has to stop. I know that some have given in and paid this man and I am one of the lucky ones I guess who shut down this buy before he could convince me to pay him anything!!
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