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I received a phone call on my work phone and my cell phone from a person claiming to be with the California Law Group. She identified her self as Kathline Williams and the return phone number is [protected]. She told me that I had a case file with a person named Jenny Wilson and a CRIMINAL claim filed against me with American Payday Loans. This was a very threatening message stating that it was considered that the money was stolen and that someone would be coming to my office or home to pick me up at which I would be held by the authorities for 30 days. They also threatened to go after one of my references. I asked her when this loan was to have been given and she said Nov 25. I have checked my bank statements and did not have a payday loan in November from American Payday loans. I have contacted American Payday loans to find out if they had a file on me for a payday loan and they did not. It is my understanding from American payday loans they received several calls regarding these phone calls. Unfortunately there is nothing they can do but the information being used is gathered from the internet. I have also researched the California Law Group and the Better Business Bureau gives them an F rating. These message are unnerving and I wanted to get my message out to everyone. Please be aware.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
The same thing happened to me, yesterday, Feb. 1st, only they said (i talked to 2 different people) they were with the FederalCrime Enforcement Network, out of Florida and that their client was Cash Advance USA. They both had heavy Indian or Pakistani accents, and threatened that if I didn't take care of the debt (of which they would not give me an amount) by 6:30 that evening they would put a red mark on my file and it would be turned over to my local law enforcement and I would be "detained." Whenever I asked questions or tried to get more info, the woman would become very rude and threatening.
My story is very similar to everyone else here. My calls came from California Law Group Dept of Crime Prevention.
Just wondering has anyone heard anything else from these scam artist?
I recieved a phone call as well and I was given the name Norman Reed when I called back numerous times because they kept hanging up on me when I requested additional information about the client "American Payday Loan" they told me they had proof, I told them to mail it to me. They wanted my address and name I told them since you called me; you have the information in your database; they wanted to verify information; I would not give it to them; I requested that they repeat what they have to me. I was extremely aggressive with them as they were with me when they left a threathing phone message. One agent told me they would show up at my address on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 with a supeona. I said really, verify the address so that I know what address you are going to; DO NOT ALLOW THESE PEOPLE TO SCARE YOU INTO PAYING MONEY FOR LOANS YOU DID NOT TAKE OUT. CONSISTENTLY CALL THEM UNTIL YOU GET ANSWER.
They would not answer the phone everytime someone hung up on me; I'd call right back.
When I was told they did not have the right to give me information; I quoted the Fair Debt and Collection Practice guidelines. Be informed and aware.
THIS COMPANY IS A STRAIGHT SCAM! THEY DID THE SAME TO ME STATING I WAS GETTING CHARGES PRESSED AGAINST ME FROM AMERICAN PAY DAY LOAN, BUT IT WAS A BIT CONVINCING AT FIRST CUZ THEY KNEW MY SS, ACCT #, OCCUPATION AND EMAIL. THEY MIGHT HAVE GOT IT FROM ONLINE, I APPLIED A FEW MONTHS BACK FOR A $200 LOAN FOR XMAS BT IT WAS PAID BACK! SO IM THINKN THEY MIGHT BE SOME COMPUTER GEEKS N KNOW HOW TO HACK INTO THESE STUFF! IDK, THEY CALLED ME FROM [protected] & ALL HAD MIDDLE EASTERN ACCENTS (I SAY THAT WITH NO OFFENSE JUST THE TRUTH) BUT THEY SAID THEYD TAKE ME TO COURT N THEY'D TELL MY JOB OR I COULD PAY THEM $800. I BASICALLY CUSSED THEM OUT CUZ THEY WEREN'T TRYING TO GIVE ME ANY DETAILS & SAID THEY WERE SUPPOSEDLY LAWYERS. THE GUY HUNG UP ON ME N I CALLED BACK N CUSSED THEM OUT AGAIN N THEY GUY GOT REALLY OFFENDED CUZ I TOLD THEM THEY WERE A SCAM N BEGAN TO YELL AT ME! VERY UNPROFESSIONAL IF U ASK ME, IF THEY WERE A REAL FIRM! NOW THAT I READ THIS I KNOW FOR SURE THEY'RE A SCAM! I EVEN CHECKED MY BANK STATEMENTS TO BE SURE THAT CO. DID NOT ADD A LOAN INTO MY ACCT. N THEY DIDNT! STR8 SCAM! STAY AWWAY!
I went through the same basic same in January and now again the other day with California Law Group at [protected]. The two I've been dealing with is Kate Jones and Norman Reed, a so called attorney, who was beyond mean to me. I did also apply for several loans, around the holiday in 2010, but only went through with one for Check N Go. The calls were very thearenting and said I was going to have to go to court, to jail, be fined $15, 000 etc. This situation they say was with PayDay Okay, which I've used in the past, but not now can not since they do not do loans for Michigan residents. I checked my banks statement and even sent them a copy of it back in January, which showed I didn't get a loan from Pay Day Okay at all. I was scared to death, they had alot of information on me also, so I thought it was for real. So, I paid them in January around $638. When they called the other day, they said I still owe $946 of which $200 I paid the other day. I feel taken advantage of, and don't know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't have money to hire a lawyer or do I need to? What happens if I don't pay them the $746 due this Friday, April 1? The strangest think is the last payment from Friday was paid to a company call Heal Comfort, which of course, does not sound good to me at all! I haven't even talked to anyone else about this issue, but I'm glad I found this site to warn others! ADVICE PLEASE.
I made a complaint against California Law Group with the BBB, they said they were unresponsive, and I guess they don't have to respond to any complaints against them?! Not happy. I am happy to report that I will be on our local news on Thursday morning, Ruth to the Rescue series, featuring my story. I am hoping I can help others not get scammed like I did. If I don't get my money back, it will be a lesson learned for me. However, I do plan to call a lawyer for some free advice next week. Don't let them get to our, just hang up if they call. I faxed them a letter yesterday telling them not to call me again, etc., and I put cc: BBB, my lawyer, WDIV. I was told by BBB to contact our State Attorney General's office also. Hopefully, I can scare them like they did me!