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Warning: Phony Debt Collection Calls

Residents are reporting to the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs a number of threatening calls from individuals representing themselves as debt collectors. The phone scammers are targeting consumers who have applied for or paid off payday loans. The caller is requesting payment of the debt by accessing bank or credit account information or through a prepaid card and money-wire transfers.

DO NOT FALL PREY to these phony debt collection calls! The con artists use scare tactics such as telling you will be arrest for not paying the debt, legal action allows them to take your car or other possessions, and they will call your home, cell or even work numbers numerous times in an attempt to part you from your money.

What to do if you receive a call from a debt collector, regardless if it is fake or real.

• Ask for the name of the company, street address, and telephone number. If the individual refuses, hang up. If you are provided the information tell them you will verify it and call them back, hang up. Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs at (216) 443-7010 to report it and learn about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
• Never provide or confirm any bank or credit account information or other personal information over the telephone unless you initiated the call.
• Pay especially close attention to your credit report for several months after receiving a debt collection phone call to ensure that no fraudulent charges have been made in your name. You can obtain a free credit report at annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228. Or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to:
  
  Annual Credit Report Request Service
  P.O. Box 10528
  Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.

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