Fake debt collector scam：手法、警示信号与应对
Social engineering · médio
Someone calls claiming to collect a debt, sometimes one you don't recognize, and threatens arrest, a lawsuit or telling your employer or family. The supposed collector avoids naming the creditor and amount, pushes for immediate payment by money transfer or prepaid card and asks for bank account, routing or Social Security numbers.
The CFPB, the US federal financial protection agency, notes that under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) a collector must give the creditor's name and amount owed and, if not provided at first contact, send a written notice within five days. Calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. are suspicious, and collectors generally can't disclose your debt to others without permission.
Sinais / Signs
- A collector who won't give the creditor and amount
- Threats of arrest or of telling family and employer
- Payment demanded by money transfer or prepaid card
- Requests for bank details or SSN
- A debt you don't recognize
- Calls at odd hours
Prevenção / Prevention
- Ask for name, company, address and callback number and verify them
- Don't pay before receiving written information about the debt
- Ask the original creditor whether it assigned the debt
- Check your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
- Dispute in writing if you don't recognize the debt
O que fazer / What to do
- Tell your bank if you shared data or made a payment
- If you gave your SSN, report at IdentityTheft.gov
- Report to the FTC and your state attorney general
- File a CFPB complaint about abusive collectors
FAQ
Can I be arrested for not paying an ordinary debt?
The CFPB flags false arrest threats as a red flag; only failing to pay criminal fines or restitution can sometimes lead to arrest. Verify the claim.
The debt isn't on my credit report. Does that mean it's fake?
Not necessarily, according to the CFPB. Request written validation before paying.
Radar
- — Equifax agrees to pay up to $700 million to CFPB, FTC and states over 2017 breach · Até US$ 700 milhões. The breach affected about 147 million consumers; up to $425 million goes to a consumer fund and $100 million is a CFPB penalty. 来源: CFPB
CFPB - How to tell the difference between a legitimate debt collector and scammers · FTC - ReportFraud