Debt collection scams are one of the most frightening and persistent types of scams we see today. Scammers harass you for weeks, or even months, both at home and at work, trying to get you to pay a debt you don’t even owe. Scammers often know personal information about you and your family members and have been known to threaten relatives into paying up.
How the scam works:
The scammer calls and tells you that they work for a loan company, law firm or government agency, and claims to be collecting an overdue payment. When you respond that you don’t owe any money, the “debt collector” starts making threats to sue you, have your wages garnished, have you arrested, or force you to appear in court thousands of miles from home.
Despite their threats, these “debt collectors” don’t have any legal power. In most cases, the alleged overdue loan doesn't exist. Don’t give in and pay money you don’t owe. If you do, the scammer will likely be back for more…
Tips to spot this scam:
Ask the debt collector to provide an official “validation notice” of the debt- In the U.S. and most of Canada, debt collectors are required by law to provide this information in writing. The notice must include the amount of debt, the name of the creditor, and a statement of your rights. If the self- proclaimed collector won’t provide the notice, hang up!
Ask for more information- If you do owe money and aren’t sure if the caller is real, ask for their name, company, street address, and telephone number. Do not provide any bank account, credit card, or other personally identifiable information over the phone. If it is a legitimate collector, they should have details on the account in question.
Protect yourself:
If you don’t have any outstanding loans, hang up! Don’t press any numbers or speak to an “agent”.
Check your credit report- In the U.S., check with one of the three national credit reporting companies: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. In Canada, check the Equifax Canadian website. This will help you determine if you have any outstanding debts or if there has been suspicious activity in your name.
Place a fraud alert on your credit report. If the scammer has personal information, place a fraud alert with the three national credit reporting agencies.
If you want more security tips or if you have any questions visit the navitend website or call us at (973) 448-0070 ext 312.
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