Hang Up On Debt Scammers

HARTFORD — Putting a new twist on an old trick, telephone scammers have begun falsely threatening unsuspecting victims with job loss, prosecution, and even jail time if they don’t immediately come up with cash to pay overdue loans.

“They’re impersonating state and federal agencies and financial institutions, police officers, private investigators, and lawyers, so any official-sounding title seems to be fair game for these scammers,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr, said. “Two similar, attempted phone scams reported [recently] in Hartford and West Hartford should make consumers wary.”

Scammers call their victims, trying to collect on a past loan or debt when in reality there is no debt. Victims are warned, quite convincingly, to pay right away or risk losing their jobs and/or getting arrested.

“Some of these scammers reportedly sound aggressive or even threatening,” Mr Farrell said. In the vast majority of cases, calls like this are fraudulent, and consumers should request that the caller put their warning in writing. 

“If a claim is legitimate, the company would be willing — even eager — to notify you in writing,” Mr Farrell said. “So once you’ve asked for written notice, feel free to hang up.”

The consumer commissioner offered additional advice for persons whose personal info may have been compromised.

“When the caller is trying to convince you that you owe on a debt, if he or she discloses to you some of your own personal information such as Social Security number, date of birth, or bank account numbers, you need to take another step right after you hang up the phone,” Commissioner Farrell said. “Since some key information is already compromised, you need to check and protect your accounts. You should immediately review your credit reports for signs of possible fraud.”

Free credit reports are available at AnnualCreditReport.com. Anyone who suspects their identity has been stolen should also consider placing a Fraud Alert on their credit reports by contacting any one of the three consumer reporting agencies — TransUnion (800-680-7289), Equifax (800-525-6285) or Experian (888-397-3742) — and requesting the alert.

Finally, filing a police report is helpful, not only in alerting police to scams in the area, but if your identity has been stolen, it creates an official record you may need when correcting identity theft issues that may later occur, Mr Farrell said.