CAMDEN — By BRADLY GILL
Staff Writer
Ouachita County Judge Robert McAdoo has alerted the Camden News to a scam going around the county in which residents are told they are subjects in a civil case and must pay a fee before the trial.
He said that several county residents have received calls from the phone number 844-253-4009. The caller says, “There has been a civil case filed and you have to pay before the trial.”
McAdoo shared that the caller identifies themselves as the B&E Law Group.
According to scam-detector.com: “the way the scam works is that once you call the number, an ‘agent’ will pick up the call and start processing your claim. He might even know you have two kids or that you work for the employer that you actually do. His speech is accurate and official, including legal verbiage. He will ask for more personal information for confirmation. In the end, he will ask for a fee to drop the case.
“Although this might sound too easy to recognize, scammers go an extra mile and research the victims on social media prior to their reach, just so they know more about their target. This will act as validation for victims that the case is real. Think about: how many times did you see on Facebook or Twitter the name of the employers of your friends? Or even the name of their kids?”
The Better Business Bureau recommends these tips to avoid and deal with fraud.
• To keep yourself protected against debt collector scams know your rights.
• Just hang up: If you don’t have any outstanding loans, hang up. Don’t press any numbers or speak to an “agent.”
• Ask the debt collector to provide official “validation notice” of the debt: In the U.S, and most of Canada, debt collectors are required by law to provide the information in writing. The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor and a statement of your rights. If the self-proclaimed collector won’t provide the information, hang up.
• Ask the caller for his/her name, company, street address, and telephone number: Then, confirm that the collection agency is real.
• Do not provide or confirm bank account, credit card or other personal information: over the phone until you have verified the call.
• Check your credit report: In the U.S, check with one of the three national credit reporting companies (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian). In Canada, check with Equifax Canada. This will help you determine if you have outstanding debts or if there has been suspicious activity.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit report: If the scammer has personal information, place a fraud alert with the three national credit reporting companies.