Debt Collection Scams: ACS Legal Group

Debt Collection Scams

ACS Legal Group

Did you receive a phone call (or email) from ACS Legal Group claiming to be a lawyer or debt collector, saying you owed a debt and could be arrested if you didn't pay immediately? Did they say something like, "You are going to be legally prosecuted within a couple of days. Your Social Security Number has been marked as Red Flag by US Government"

DON'T pay it! First, we are unaware of any legitimate debt collectors contacting people by email (how would they even know an email address associated with a debt?) And legitimate debt collectors must, under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, send a letter within 5 days of contacting you, stating what the debt is, why it's owed and how much they believe you owe. The recipient then has 30 days to respond by either contesting it in writing or making payment arrangements.

Examples:

 

Note from the victim:

-----Original Message-----

--------------------- COMMENTS -----------------------------

 

I'm not sure if this company is already listed.  This is the 2nd email I've received and two of my relatives have advised me the same company called leaving very threatening messages regarding a debt that I absolutely do not have.

See below please

 

 

From: ACS Legal Group [mailto:cheryl.wiggins@acslegalgroup.com]

Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 7:36 AM

To: ACS Legal Group

Subject: Urgent- Final Notification on Collections

 

LOAN INFORMATION

 

Due Amount- $945.67

 

Loan Company- Advance Cash America

 

You are going to be legally prosecuted within a couple of days. Your Social Security Number has been marked as Red Flag by US Government, so before something goes wrong we would like to notify you about this matter.

 

It seems apparent that you have chosen to ignore all our efforts to contact you in order to resolve your debt with Advance Cash America. At this point you have made your intentions clear and left us with no choice but to protect our interest in this matter.

 

UNITED LEGAL INVESTIGATION BUREAU HAS STATED SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST YOU AND THEY ARE:

 

(1) VIOLATION OF FEDERAL BANKING REGULATION

(2) COLLATERAL CHECK FRAUD

(3) THEFT BY DECEPTION

 

Now, this means a few things for you. If you are under any state probation or payroll we need you to inform your superior or manager what you have done in the past and what would be the consequences once the case has been downloaded and executed in your name.

 

If we do not hear from you within 48 hours of the date on this e-mail, we will be compelled to seek legal representation from our in-house attorney. We reserve the right to commence litigation for intent to commit wire fraud under the pretense of refusing to repay a debt committed to, by use of the internet. In addition we reserve the right to seek recovery for the balance due, as well as legal fees and any court cost incurred.

 

WE HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS RESERVED TO INFORM TO FBI, FTC, YOUR EMPLOYER AND BANK ABOUT FRAUD.

 

And once you are found guilty into the court house then you have to bear the entire cost for this law suit $4271.15 which is excluding loan amount, attorney's fees, and the interest charges. You have the right to hire an attorney. If you don't have one or if you can't afford then one will be appointed to you.

 

We believe that this was not your intent and these steps are unnecessary. We merely require you to contact our recovery asset location department at (229) 518-4222.

 

NOTE: THE MODE OF THE PAYMENT WOULD BE ONLY THROUGH MONEY PAK AS WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY VISA/MASTER DUE TO INSECURE PAYMENT GATEWAY.

 

 

 

IF YOU WANT TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER THAN IMMEDIATELY CONTACT US THROUGH EMAIL OR CALL US BETWEEN WORKING HOURS ON (229) 518-4222.

 

 

 

ACS LEGAL GROUP

LEGAL GROUP OF ATTORNEYS

(229) 518-4222

 

 

Copyright ' 2013 ACS | Privacy | Terms of use

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Confidentiality Statement & Notice: This email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2521 and intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. Any review, retransmission, dissemination to unauthorized persons or other use of the original message and any attachments is strictly prohibited. If you received this electronic transmission in error, please reply to the above-referenced sender about the error and permanently delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Learn more about debt collection rights and laws

  1. See this page for what to do, step by step
  2. What may a debt collector NOT say or do?
  3. You need to know your rights, which are primarily spelled out in the Fair Debt Collection Act.  Click on the link to read it!  It is not too look and is not hard to read! 
  4. You can file a compliant against a debt collector with the FTC - Use this form to submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about a particular company or organization..
  5. You can fight back with a lawsuit - First, see the answer to this question, then see Handel on the Law to find a recommended lawyer near you. You may also be able to file a lawsuit in small claims court yourself.

And see this page for commonly asked questions about your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

More Resources

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

If you believe you may have fallen victim to an internet scam and wish to report it, please file a complaint with the U.S. government Internet Fraud Complaints Center

 

 

For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.