In this age of technology, it's no wonder that more and more collection scams are being perpetrated over the internet. All the more reason to become informed as to the red flags. Don't be the next victim!
At the Law Office of Simon Goldenberg, PLLC, our attorneys use federal and state laws to protect consumers from abusive and deceptive debt collectors and help them obtain compensation. This type of representation can be effective when a collector from a legitimate agency acts outside the bounds of the law, or when an agency issues collection letters that violate consumer protection laws. However, there are also fake collection agencies that attempt to collect non-existent debts, oftentimes using methods which include false threats of litigation. These are not actual collection agencies, rather, they are criminal enterprises that pose as collectors. They demand immediate payment, oftentimes using prepaid debit cards and gift cards. Once the payment is submitted, it can be very difficult for the victim to get their money back and to hold the scammers accountable. As such, it's best to be cautious before remitting any payments to an unknown company, especially if you are unfamiliar with the debt and are being threatened.
How to Protect Yourself from Being Scammed by a Debt Collector
- Conduct Research: If you google the phone number or other identifying information, you may be able to get information about the entity and whether they are licensed collectors.
- Request Debt Validation: Under federal law, consumers have 30-days to dispute the validity of a debt. Until the debt is validated by the creditor, all collection activity must cease.
- Speak to a Lawyer: A consumer protection attorney can determine whether your rights are being violated and help you understand your options.
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What is a Debt Collection Scam Email?
Our office received a call from a person that claimed that they were contacting us in response to an email. The email demanded payment of $460 in reference to an alleged debt owed to Speedy Cash Group. We quickly realized that the email they received was not issued by our firm. While our law firm name was not included in the body of the scam email, our logo was included as an attachment. Upon further research, we identified several companies have been similarly targeted as the sender's of very similar emails. A copy of the email that the caller received is listed below.
As debt relief and consumer protection lawyers, we are concerned for any recipients that may be susceptible to such fraudulent emails. At our office, we do not collect consumer debts. Please be vigilant to confirm the legitimacy of any debt collection attempt before remitting payment.
If you receive a collection letter by email, contact our office for a free review.
Example of a Fake Debt Collection Email
Attention, |