BBB warns about recent scams

Special to the Register

August 13, 2009 11:10 pm

— Better Business Bureaus nationwide are warning of phony debt collectors who are calling consumers nationwide and claiming they have defaulted on a payday loan and will be arrested if they do not pay immediately.
A local news release was issued Tuesday from Heather Clary, director of communications for the BBB of Central and Eastern Kentucky.
Names used include the “Financial Accountability Association” or the “Federal Legislation of Unsecured Loans.” The callers are equipped with a lot of personal information about their potential victims, which could indicate a data breach somewhere.
Legitimate debt collectors will first notify the victim in writing about the debt, as required by federal law.
“If you are concerned about identity theft, check your credit report for free at www.annualcreditreport.com to look for unauthorized accounts, and for information on placing fraud alerts on your credit reports,” Clary said.
Reports continue from central Kentucky homeowners being visited by traveling workers offering various home improvement work at low prices, especially driveway paving or seal coating.
Homeowners who said “yes” to these unsolicited offers have reported paying a lot of money for unfinished work and inability to contact the worker for recourse.
Carefully check out contractors with the BBB before hiring. Ask for the complete name, address and phone number of business and proof of workers compensation and liability insurance.
Never pay the entire amount up front, and get a written contract, Clary said.
Consumers continue to complain of unsolicited calls offering to “lower your credit card interest rate,” she said.
The parties calling typically will not answer the consumers’ questions as to who they are and where they are. They demand the consumers’ credit card information so they can get their interest rates lowered.
What these callers are not saying is that your credit card providers do not have to work with them; and you could ask your credit card company to lower your rates on your own.
The BBB advises you not authorize such a call without getting the company’s name, address and phone number, checking out their report with the BBB and verifying if they are registered with the Kentucky Attorney General’s office as a debt settlement/negotiation company as required by Kentucky law.
“Many people complain they are on the ‘do not call list’ and get these calls,” Clary said. “If you have the phone number of the business calling in violation of the law, file a complaint with the FTC at www.donotcall.gov.”
For more information, call Clary at (859) 519-4700.
Contact the Better Business Bureau of Central and Eastern Kentucky at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free 1-800-866-6668 to verify the credibility of companies, charities, or to report problems and scams.