Consumer Alert
Beware of Payday Loan Telephone Collection Scams
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) issued an alert warning about payday loan telephone collection scams. Scammers are contacting people across the country claiming that they are collecting past due balances on payday loans. The callers use business names that sound legitimate, sometimes using the names of actual payday loan companies. They frequently have accurate personal information about the people they are calling. The complaints received by the IC3 allege harassment and abusive conduct. Many of the victims of the scams are people who previously applied for a payday loan online.
The Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Attorney General's office has received similar complaints from Alaska residents.
If you receive this type of telephone call, do not make a payment or give the caller any additional information. Instead, file a complaint with the IC3.
If a caller has your personal information, you may want to take steps to help you detect and defend against identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission website has a complete online guide to identifying and dealing with identity theft.
Consumer Protection Unit
January 2011