Getting a call about a debt you don’t owe – or even recognize – can be annoying. It can be downright scary when the caller claims to be a lawyer and threatens legal action if you don’t pay.
Such are the ploys of phantom debt collectors: lies, harassment, intimidation and threats.
Today, the FTC filed a lawsuit against Global Asset Financial Services Group (GAFS) and fifteen related defendants for operating a fake debt collection scheme. The FTC’s complaint says that GAFS employees claimed to be lawyers or affiliated with law firms. In truth, they were not lawyers and had no authority to collect debts.
The fraudulent scheme bilked millions of dollars from consumers for debts they did not owe. At the FTC’s request, a federal court has temporarily halted the operation and frozen its assets. This action is part of the FTC’s continuing crackdown on abusive and phantom debt collectors.
Don’t let debt collectors – real or phony – scare you. Know your legal rights, so you can spot when something isn’t right. By law, debt collectors have to send you a validation notice in writing, within five days of contacting you. If they don’t, that’s a red flag. And if a debt collector threatens, harasses or intimidates you to pay a debt, that’s illegal, too.
If you, or someone you know, has gotten a suspicious debt collection call, report it to the FTC. We’ve stopped a lot of bad debt collectors. Help us stop more.
In reply to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Do not by L
Thank you for reporting the calls and filing complaints.
When you report to the FTC at www.FTC.gov/Complaint, the information goes into a secure database. The FTC and other law enforcement agencies across the country use the information for investigations.
In reply to I contact you a lot with by janet
Thank you for reporting to the FTC and providing information that helps with investigations.
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In reply to I have directed a Florida by Buddybanks
Buddybanks, Kudos to you and the computer club members for being informed and avoiding hackers and scammers. It's great to hear that you're using FTC tips and information.
You can order free print material for the club from www.FTC.gov/Bulkorder. The material is free, and the shipping is free too. If you have questions, write to BlogInfo@FTC.gov. Best wishes for hitting your $000 goal in 2019.
In reply to Is there a way to stop skip by Don't useLA yo…
A debt collector can contact other people to find out the address, home phone number, and work place of a person who owes the debt, but usually can’t contact them more than once. This FTC article about debt collection has more information about your rights related to debt collection and debt collectors.
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You can report problems to the FTC at www.FTC.gov/Complaint.