Fake debt collection calls used in identity theft on the rise

Source: Tulsa World, Okla.自存倉Sept. 25--Some people owe so much money to so many people that they don't remember to whom or for what. Today's pirates of the Internet know this and are having some success blanketing whole areas with robocalls demanding, "Hey, where's that money you owe us?"The Better Business Bureau warns that fake debt collection scams are on the rise -- that from September 2011 to September 2012 there were 782 such complaints filed with BBBs nationwide and during the same period for 2012 to 2013 there were 926 -- an 18.4 percent increase.Fake debt scams vary in nature, but usually the callers tell unsuspecting consumers that they must pay money for loans they don't remember having or pay higher amounts for loans they do have.It's often difficult distinguishing legitimate debt collectors from scammers, but various red flags should be looked for: calls seeking payment on debt for loans you don't recognize, callers' refusal to provide their own contact information, persistent requests for personal financial or sensitive information, and high-pressure tactics threatening you with legal trouble for not paying immediately."If people call pretending to be debt collectors, consumers can be at high risk of identity theft," said Rick Brinkley, chief operating officer of the Tulsa Better Business Bureau serving eastern Oklahoma. "Consumers must be cautious with these callers and never give out personal information to people they don't know."Ask for contact information: Ask for callers' names, their companies' names, street addresses and telephone numbers. Tell them you refuse to discuss debt until you receive a written "validation notice" -- a letter showing the amount 迷你倉f debt and your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.Don't talk to the caller: If you have callers' addresses, send letters demanding they stop contacting you. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, debt collectors who receive such letters in writing must stop calling you.No personal information: If you don't know exactly who you're dealing with, never confirm sensitive information such as your bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers. Scammers use this information to commit identity theft.Contact your creditors: If you actually are in debt but think the debt collectors calling are not legitimate, contact your creditors, using contact information from your personal online account. Your creditors will be able to determine who suspicious callers are and if they are authorized to collect debts from you.Report such calls: Don't hesitate to call the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission or the state's attorney general's office. Whatever you do, don't agree to pay anything on any Oklahoma debt that is 5 or more years old. Doing so reconstitutes the debt contract. See Feb. 24, 2008, Action Line ( tulsaworld.com/Action022408). In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations on debts is covered by statute Title 12, Section 95(A)(1) ( tulsaworld.com/StatuteofLimitations).Tulsa World consumer writer Phil Mulkins wants to know which topics interest you. Call 918-699-8888, email your suggestion to phil.mulkins@tulsaworld.com or mail it to Tulsa World Consumer, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102-1770.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at .tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Servicesmini storage