The public is being warned about scammers posing as debt collectors.
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said his office has received reports of phone calls with individuals claiming to be from debt collection agencies attempting to collect a debt the consumers do not owe.
Koster said the scammers try to pressure consumers by threatening to garnish wages or have them arrested. The calls are so convincing that many consumers made payments on debts they did not owe.
According to Koster, fake debt collectors will:
•Seek payment on a debt for a loan you do not recognize.
•Refuse to give you a mailing address or phone number.
•Ask you for personal financial or personal information.
•Use threatening tactics to try to make you pay.
•Continually harass you.
Koster recommends that consumers take the following steps:
•Ask the caller for his name, company, street address and telephone number. Tell the caller you won’t discuss any debt until you get a written “validation notice.” If the caller refuses, hang up and don’t pay.
•Do not give or confirm any personal, financial or other sensitive information. Never give out or confirm personal financial or other sensitive information like your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number unless you know the person you are dealing with.
•Contact your creditor. If a debt is legitimate, but you think the collector isn’t, contact the company to which you owe the money.
•Put your request in writing. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires any debt collector to stop calling if you ask in writing. Of course, if the debt is real, sending such a letter does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact.
•Report the call. File a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office at 800-392-8222 or ago.mo.gov with information about suspicious callers.