I was at work on Friday March 26, and recieved a call from an Officer Austin Jones from the Department of Law and Investigations. He proceeded to tell me that I was facing severe legal trouble and that I am under investigation by the Department of Law and Investigetions by ACS. I was confused because this was around 1PM, the busiest time of the day at my place of employment. I told him to hold on and he said, "No, you need to get a pen and paper and take this information down IMMEDIATELY!" So, I was a little put off. And I responded, after I went to a secure place to talk more freely, saying, "What is this all about?!" He said, "I will explain everything, just get a pen and paper first." So I did that. He then said, "My case number is %. And ACS has file a legal complaint against you. You are being charged with theft by fraud. You are facing serious legal trouble, Mr. Gibbs!!!" I said, "None of this sounds familiar to me." He asked, "Have you taken out a payday loan before?" (I did in out of sheer stupidity and desperation) I wasn't sure still what this was and assumed it was legitimate, so I said yes.
He then said, "Did you use % as a reference?" This person is one my closest friends and I use him as a reference often, so I said yes again. He then read my SSN off to me. At this point, I was completely thrown for a loop and was a little worried. So I again said yes and demanded to know what was going on. He said, "I am going to now explain to you your situation and your options in depth. Please do not interrupt me. I will answer your questions at the end." I agreed and he said, "You are in serious legal trouble and ACS has filed a case against you for fraud and theft by fraud. (I found it odd that now there were two charges, when before he said the one) You have two options, Mr. Gibbs. One, you can fight the case and you will travel from court to court over an extended time and lose your job in the process. You will probably lose and you will owe $2275. Or option 2, you can pay the principal balence now of $652." First off, the loan I took out in '06 wasn't that much so I was suspicious, but I wanted to still play along. He told me to write down his number (718-569-6654) and tell him right now which option I wanted to do. I said option 2 and he said, "Very good, Mr. Gibbs. That is a wise choice." I told him I couldn't do it today though and it would have to be on Friday the 9th of March. He said ok and that I would need to handwrie a letter and he then went step by step on what the letter was to say. It was to be as follows:
TOP: AUTHORIZATION LETTER FOR PAYMENT
ATTN: Austin Jones
I, Michael Gibbs, authorize payment for ACS in the sum of $652 on March 09.
BANK INFORMATION:
Name on debit card
Card Number
3-digit security code
Expiration Date
I apologize for going default on my loan and I authorize the payment of $652 on March 09.
Printed Name
Signature
He then told me that I needed to attach a photo ID of my Driver's license and take the letter to go get it notarized. I said to him this is all very extreme and sudden considering that you really haven't explained this to me in depth. He then asked, "Do you have an attorney?" I said, "Not presently, no. But I can seek legal advice." He said, "Mr. Gibbs, you will be convicted by then. This is the quickest and easiest way." I said I would try to do all this by 4PM. He informed me that he could only hold it on his desk until 4PM. At that time he would send his investigator to my door because they have already been watching my home. After the call ended, I called my girlfriend told her what happened and asked her to call the number under a false name and act as my attorney and get some information. She did and they hung up on her. She called back and they acted nervous and asked for her fax number. She gave it to them and they said it wasn't her fax number it was the number she called them from. She said it was both and they put her on hold and hung up. I dismissed it and they call my home number at around 6PM. I answered and he said, "Mr. Gibbs, this is Austin Jones. What happened to the letter?" I said, "I decided to get an attorney. Did she contact you?" He said, "No."
I knew she called and I said, "Are you sure about that?" He put me on ohld and a different man same indian accent just more forceful got on the phone and said, "Mr. Gibbs. Austin Jones here. You are in deep trouble, you understand that?" I said, "Did my attorney contact you?" This one said, "Yes, so you aren't going to pay?" I said, "No, but my attoney will contact you Monday morning." He said, "I am going to send my investigators in!" I said and I will contact my brother-in-law who is a detective in the police force to look into this. He said, "Don't you threaten me!" I said, "Oh, I'm not threatening you, you're threatening me. So from here on out my attorney will contact you. Don't call me anymore. She will be calling you Monday morning." He said, "No, she doesn't need to call me. I will be sending my investigators to your doorstep on Tuesday and she can talk to me then!!!" I then hung up. This whole ordeal is scary and ridiculous. It astounds me how someone can get a hold of your information so easily and discourages me that these people are doing this to so many people. I hope they are caught and punished for it.
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