Skip to content

Debt Collection Agency Phone Scam

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Yet another debt collection agency scam operation has surfaced, this time in Spokane, Washington. In this scheme, a Spokane resident received a call from a (509) area code phone number claiming to be a police deputy named ‘Wilkerson.’ The so-called ‘deputy’ aggressively told the man he had an outstanding bill and would be arrested if he didn’t pay it. The scam artist provided a (972) area code phone number for the man to call back and pay.The Spokane man instead called the phone number showing on his caller ID, and was shocked to reach the Spokane Sheriff’s Regional Training Center, who knew nothing of the call. The man received a second call from the same phone number; he wisely contacted Officer Taj Wilkerson of the Liberty Lake Police Department, who informed the man there was no investigation into a debt and this was definitely a scam.Officer Wilkerson contacted the (972) phone number and reached an operation claiming to be in Dallas, Texas. The contact person provided a bogus address, and refused to provide any further details. The Liberty Lake Police Department then contacted Better Business Bureau, and the bureau set out an alert to the media.The Better Business Bureau offers some tips for people faced with fake debt collection calls. First, don’t ever provide or confirm bank account, credit card, or other personal information over the phone until you have confirmed the legitimacy of the call. Always ask the debt collector to provide official documentation which substantiates the debt. Be familiar with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and remember that local police or any other governing body are not going to contact you out of the nowhere about a debt.If a collection agency has harassed you, you may be entitled to money damages up to $1,000.00, based on the FDCPA, which has been around for almost 35 years. The FDCPA is a federal law that applies to every state. In other words, everyone is protected by the FDCPA. The FDCPA is essentially a laundry list of what debt collectors can and cannot do while collecting a debt, as well as things debt collectors must do while collecting a debt. Plus, the FDCPA has a fee-shift provision. This means, the collection agency pays your attorney’s fees and costs. Founding attorney, Michael Agruss, has settled over 1,500 debt collection harassment cases. We want to help you, too. 

Submitted Comments

Teresa
2 years ago
I have 2 issues: I have an account with Easy Pay finance. They have called several times, I do know that I owe them but at this time, I had to take my account off auto pay due to financial hardship. they called, the company listed on caller id is Bullitt Auto, the message left never identifies the name of the company or that they are attempting to collect a debt. The 2nd issue I have is that I took a loan for $1000 with Eagle Rock Funding. I have paid $979.04 to date; my balance on my account as of today is $1552.94. I don't know if you can help with either of these issues at all.
Michael Agruss
2 years ago
Hi Teresa. I may be able to help you with these issues and I will give you a call to discuss them both. We can have a free, no-obligation consultation and you will have absolutely nothing to lose. I will be in touch and look forward to speaking with you. Thanks, Mike
Shelo
1 year ago
Someone left a voicemail on a family member\'s phone for Shelia D Johnson and asked me to call 866.301.2413 reference # 2022-67486. They said they are a collection agency and are affiliated with your company. They are now calling family members. I don\'t want to include my phone number as I don\'t know if this site is legitimate or not.
FIOLA
12 months ago
I am being harassed by credit one. they call me 10x a day about 100x a week.

We are listening

We will respond to you at lightning speed. All of your information will be kept confidential.

Form successfully submitted!