New debt collection scam, really underhanded and illegal!!

[magellan]

We got a phone call from our neighbor tonight. She said she'd just received the second call this week from someone claiming to be from the FL Attny General's office who was trying to verify the location of another neighbor down the street. They even had this other neighbor's address and were asking if it was correct!

They also claimed their office was located on a specific road...though a quick check on the FL Attny General's site shows NO such branch on that road, or even in our town.

This lady is older and doesn't have much street smarts, and in any case was awed by being asked for help from the "Attny General's office". When she spoke to us, she was in a state. She probably said more than she should.

Well, I had to break it to her that this was a debt collector. They're allowed to call neighbors, friends, family -- anyone they like, really, in attempt to locate someone. But they break the law when they misrepresent themselves as being someone they're not, and they break it again when they have an idea of where their quarry lives but make these types of harrassing phone calls to neighbors, etc, anyway.

I've suggested to her that next time they call she try and get a phone number from them. I don't think they'll play along (she has caller ID and it came up blank), but if they do then she and the subject of their "search" have something more to pass on to the REAL Attny General's office when they lodge a complaint.

Just wanted to share this in hopes it helps someone else. It was heartbreaking to hear how upset our neighbor was at the thought of having inadvertently helped turn in a neighbor she barely knows to these slimeballs, who are really going for it now that the new bankruptcy bill is in force.

Thank our Congress for that.

[niyad]

1. thanks for the info--as a matter of principle (not to mention good manners

I never give information out about anyone to anyone--whether by phone, mail, whatever. and I can be rather rude about it, since I figure these slimeballs should do their own work.

also in FL a number of years ago, there were companies that were engaged in "slamming" (I think that's the right word) people's phone bills with their own long distance carrier charges. (different scenario, I know) by the time I was done, the AG in FL, the DA's in half a dozen cities, the PO and the SEC were involved (note to scam artists--do not leave your victims on hold while you play a radio station with its call letters)

amazing how many people are willing to work for such slime.

[magellan]

2. I have to admit, that would be my reaction as well

I learned a long time ago not to even confirm what number someone misdialed. It's "Sorry, that isn't the number you called." But this lady, bless her, is a self-described hillbilly (for real) who's endlessly sweet and trusting...Exactly the kind of person these miscreants prey upon because a bit of bluster and bluff yields information.

I hope they call us. I'd love to tell them to expect some attention from the real FL Attny General's office.

[acmejack]

3. Thanx the heads up.

I will watch for this scam. They will be getting real aggressive now with the protections dwindling for the debtors.