The Better Business Bureau in Ohio is warning consumers about phony threatening collection calls being made to residents.
A Brooklyn, Ohio man reported to the BBB that he was contacted by an individual claiming to be from CashNetUSA. The caller threatened legal action over a payday loan that was never paid off.
The caller claimed the loan had been electronically deposited in the consumer's account but couldn't provide the loan amount or when it was obtained. The caller, according to the report, had the consumer's Social Security number and bank account information.
"When I refused to settle immediately for $390 and give him my credit card number," the consumer said, "he told me he was filing a legal action in California and I would have to fly there and face a judge and jury. He said I would be found guilty and would end up paying $12,548."
The consumer had no knowledge of the loan and went to his bank to review past account records that revealed no record of any electronic deposits from CashNetUSA.
These calls have become so prevalent that CashNetUSA posted this notice on its Web site:
"Cash America International Inc. and its subsidiaries (Cash America, Cashland, Payday Advance, SuperPawn, and CashNetUSA) along with many other lenders have been targeted by an unknown group that is making telephone collection calls attempting to collect debt on our company's behalf. We want to inform you that these calls are not being made by us or anyone affiliated with us. The Cash America family of companies values all of its customers and we are working directly with authorities to stop these fraudsters."
