I received a call today on both my cell phone and my work number leaving messages that I needed to call a number back for a time sensitive manner. When I called back I originally received a man stating his name was attorney Andrew Christopher and he verified my name and put me on hold so that he could grab my case. I was disconnected. I called back and it was the same guy that answered and said he didn't understand how we got disconnected and that his name was Attorney C. Samuel and they were calling from the State Attorney's Office and he verified my information including my current address, place of employment, SS# and bank account number. He then told me that he had an afidavit to read to me and that it was being recorded and that I was not allowed to interupt him while he is talking and that I would have my turn to ask questions when he was done. I let him give is speel. I asked who was suing me and he said that it was Cash Advance USA. I asked when was this loan taken out as I don't remember taking a pay day loan out online. He said that it was within the last 3 years and 2 months. I asked what the amount that I was being sued for and he said that it was for $445.39 and once we go to court it would be for about $1900.00. I asked for the contact number for Cash Advance USA so that I could contact them to verify the information. He then told me that it was too late in the process that they couldn't talk to me and I couldn't talk to them. He also listed the 3 criminal charges that I was being charged with and that they were going to send the paperwork to my employer stating that I was in trouble and that I was to be terminated effective immediately and then they would send the police to arrest me at either my place of employment or at home. I told them that I was willing to take care of the situation if there was a situation once I could verify the information with my bank and with Cash Advance USA. The guy on the phone started getting argumentative with me and told me that there was NOTHING that could be done at this point that I am looking at 4 months in jail. I told him that it didn't make any sense and that I don't dispute it if I took out a cash advance but until I verified it, I wasn't going do anything. He then transferred me to his "Retribution Attorney" to see if I could "convince" him that I am willing to participate. The only part of the name that I got was the last name of Marshall. I then tried to explain the situation to him and he started to yell at me that he didn't understand how I can't remember this particular transaction but am willing to pay if I did it. I tried to explain to him that I wanted to research with my bank first and contact the company and he yelled at me and then hung up.
I wasn't asked for money, nor did they offer a resolution even though I offered to fix it once I verified the info. I was just told that it was too late and that I will be arrested.
These men that I talked to all had very heavy accents in which I could not hardly understand a word that they said. The more I questioned the charges, the more beligerant they became.
Honestly I was freaked out. After I thought about it and mentioned to one of my co-workers, they suggested I look up the number. I looked up the number they were calling from. It was a random number in California. If they were calling from the State Attorney's Office, it would have been a Virginia number. I then contacted my bank and we reviewed my account 4 years back and saw that there was nothing there. My account has now been flagged for ANY EFT payments or withdrawls and before being authorized I am to be called by my bank. I also have contacted the FTC and reported the phone number and then I was advised by the Virginia State Attorney General's Office to call the Secret Service and that they would investigate. I was also told that they couldn't do anything to me.
If this happens to you, remember to call your bank, call the your states attorney general's office and the FTC. Also, if they call you again, let them know that you are aware that it is a scam and that you have contacted your attorney. Also remember that the correct process for collections through court is that they must obtain an attorney. The attorney will be nice and willing to work things out if it is a legitimate charge. If you aren't, then they will send a process server to you and serve you with a court summons. Failure to show up for that will result in a warrant. They cannot force your employer to terminate your employment as for any debt collector, it is in their best interest to have you gainfully employed so that they can then garnish wages.
Note to self. I will no longer apply for anything online unless I know that it is secure, like my actual bank. I have had to block all my calls from random numbers so that I no longer receive phone calls 24/7.
Best of luck!
0 comments