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12/9/2009

Lexington, KY - Most everyone has been contacted by a collection agency at one time or another…most are honest attempts to collect debts that are really owed….but others may be an attempt to frighten you into paying money you don't owe.

There's a new twist on a debt collection scam using e-mail that some consumers sent to your Better Business Bureau.

One is from U.S. National Debt Collections Inc. in Philadelphia. It states that the email recipient owes nearly $900 dollars on a debt, and that the company has attempted to notify the recipient several times about this. It goes on to threaten possible legal action, wage garnishment, etc. if the recipient does not pay this debt. Then it urges him to wire the owed amount via Western Union. It does not provide a telephone number.

Here's another one: It states it is from Experian Portfolio Services regarding a debt of over 12-hundred dollars. It also warns that this is a very serious matter and urges the recipient to make arrangements to pay. Neither consumer who sent these to us owed any overdue debts. In fact, we checked on the website for Experian, a national credit reporting agency. They are not a collection agency. They even warn about this bogus email on their website. How many collection agencies have your email address, anyway?

Keep in mind that legitimate debt collectors will follow federal law and notify you by mail of any debt collection effort. If someone tries to bully you into paying something you're not sure about until you can research its validity, don't fall for it!

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Be a "Don’t Fall for It!" informant! If you have something to share you believe may be a fraudulent offer or scam, please let the BBB know! Call us at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free, 1-800-866-6668, or email us at info@lexbbb.com.