I think I have been the target of fraud...perhaps a debt collection fraud?

Question

Today I received a computerized voice message which stated that I should call back to discuss credit issues. I did return the call, but after 'waiting for the next available person' it went to voicemail. The voicemail greeting was: you have reached, 'business office'. There was nothing which stated the company who had left me the voicemail. I found it very sketchy and did not leave a voice message, which the greeting asked to be "as specific as possible." Basically, all I know is that a 'company' has called me to discuss credit issues.

I, as far as I know, do not have any issues with my credit. Due to the lack of specific information I am led to believe that the caller was not from one of my banks nor from my credit card company. This leads me to believe that someone is trying to scam me by trying to get my information.

I have decided to ignore the call and not leave a message. Should I report it to anyone? What should I do?

Answer 1

everone who has answered is correct and it could be a one in the same name type deal as they are calling every Jon Jones in your state trying to find the right one and if not in your state then they will dial surrounding states. If you reach them ask the last 4 digits of the social and do not give them yours

Answer 2

Yes beware! I too received a call and when i called also went to voice mail, the recording asked to leave name ssn. address etc.  I too didn't leave any information, i don't know where to report call.  I am even signed up with the national registry for unsolicited calls.  

I did notice after i call the 800 # that the phone number listed on my caller ID was like 17 numbers (example 416555688xxxxxxx).

Answer 3

Never ever ever ever  give out one single piece of personal info to any one on the phone, or in the mail unless you absolutely confirm it.

You could stop by the police station and ask them if you should report it.

Answer 4

The debt may not in fact be yours but if someone has 'borrowed' your credit you'll want to know about it right away. Contact the credit bureau and using the phone # you were given ask them to send you a debt validation letter if they see it listed on your credit report.

Also get a current copy of your credit report too.

Answer 5

The bottom feeders of the collections industry will call anyone with the same last name as the debtor.  They will make it sound like it's you that they are looking for and then will ask you to confirm that you aren't the person they are looking for, that you've never lived at the address they have for the individual, that you don't know that person, it's not a relative, etc.  Then and then and only will they mark the number as not relevant for that ONE account.  God forbid they buy 6 debts for the same person.  They will make you call THEM six different times.

Worse, if you ignore the call, they will call you at least once a day for 2 months.  After all, they can't know for sure it isn't the "right" number until you confirm it isn't.

And, the industry attracts some of the scum of the earth people wise--I've been accused of lying, knowing the person and refusing to cough up the number, etc.  I weasled the address they had and it's for a woman whose listing is the one ABOVE mine in the phone book.

Answer 6

This is a common method used by collection agencies; they leave a message encouraging you to call back, and then an automated system attempts to handle your call.  It's a predictive dial system in reverse.

Anyway, more than likely it is not fraud but either a debt you don't realize you owe, or they simply have the wrong number.  You can either ignore it (they will almost certainly keep calling) or you can call back and find out what it's about.  They should be able to tell you just based on your phone number; I wouldn't give them any further information (although usually  the msgs they leave have a reference number of some sort).

Make sure you document the call and get the name and address of the agency, the rep's name, and the details of your call so when they keep calling you can file a complaint against them with your state agency that regulates collection agencies.  You can also file suit in a small claims court, b/c each call after you ask them to stop is worth $2,000.

Answer 7

Ignore it.  Don't worry about it.  They're trying to collect information.  Legitimate businesses don't operate like that.

Answer 8

look the number up on the internet.

Answer 9

Sounds like a peddler. If you're on the Do Not Call list, you can report it to the FCC.