So it looks like the phony payday debt collectors are back. Don’t confuse debt collectors with these folks. I may not like debt collectors, but even the worst US debt collectors don’t do stuff like these people. Collectors like Persolve (also called Account Resolution Associates), Patenaude and Felix (also called P&F), CACH, FFIF, Midland Funding and the like have issues. But none of them would do this stuff.
Read this from Cleveland.com. Here is a quote that should scare you: “Victims report being threatened with arrest or prosecution if they don’t send money within hours or days. Callers may falsely claim to be employees of the sheriff, attorney general or court.” Then watch this story from News10.
Yes, if you have taken out a loan from a payday lender, from US Cash Loans, Advance America, Cashcall, or another payday lender, you could get a call from these folks. I have spoken to Advance America and Cashcall and I am convinced they are not behind this. This seems to be some group or groups who obtained consumer information and then abuses the consumers.
I get calls from these people. My number got put on a list because I help consumers with these fake debt collectors. They will do or say anything to try to get you to pay. If you hang up, they will continue to call. A call to an attorney may end this, but it may not. Regional Arbitration Services and FS Mediation Group use some of these same tactics and a call to an attorney may get the calls to stop.
Remember, a legitimate debt collector will not tell you that they are with the Sheriff, Attorney General, or other state agency. The police will not come arrest you for a debt. We no longer have debtor’s prisons. So, if you get a call and they threaten to arrest you, get a number, hang up, and talk to an attorney.