Here are some of the warning signs of debt collection imposter scams:
- You do not recognize the creditor or the account.
- They directly ask for money, gift cards, or credit card payment.
- The individual threatens you with a legal action or pretends to be a government official.
- The debt collector asks you for information they should already have.
- The individual will not give you the company contact information.
- The collection is not on your credit report.
- The individual asks you to pay by wire transfer or another method that can’t be traced.
If you think you or someone you know has been affected by a debt collection imposter scam, we recommend that you act immediately, by following our guidelines below, and then proceed to our Report, Recover, and Reinforce sections for further assistance.
Some Immediate Action Steps to Take
- Contact your bank or financial institution to close or change any compromised accounts.
- Go to this site to see a copy of your free annual credit report.
- Save all information or messages about the individual(s) who contacted you about the debt. You may need to provide this information when you file a report.
- Locate the customer service number for the company named during the call and speak with someone in their billing department about the incident.
Report
Reporting scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant is very important! Once you have arrived at the FTC website please click on the category “Credit, Debt” to complete your report. The more national reporting data that is collected, the better the chance law enforcement has to catch the criminals and decrease online crime. Although the FTC does not resolve individual complaints directly, they will make your report available to local, state and other law enforcement partners. Please read the privacy policy here. (If you believe that you’ve received a phishing email, please forward the email directly to reportphishing@apwg.org.)
Recover
These resources have been gathered, selected and vetted to help simplify the process of recovering after a cybercrime incident has taken place. You may need to contact organizations outside Fraudsupport.org. Results will vary depending on your circumstances.
- Call “Victim Connect” for Victim Advocate Assistance (855-4-VICTIM)
- Contact your state attorney general’s office for local victim resources
- Remove Your Email From Commercial Mailing Lists
- Strategies to Deal With Debt Collection Scammers
Reinforce
Once you have notified the appropriate organizations and you are on the road to recovery, it is time to reinforce your cybersecurity, using these resources and tools.
- Improve Your Security: Find cybersecurity tools to enhance your online safety.
- Fake Debt Collectors Impersonate Real Businesses
- Protect Yourself Against Debt Collectors and Scams
- Debt Collection FAQs
- AARP: How to Spot Debt Collection Scams
Contact the Money Service Company You May Have Used and Report the Fraud
- MoneyGram (800-MONEYGRAM; 800-666-3947)
- OFX (888-288-7354)
- PayPal (888-221-1161)
- Venmo (855-812-4430)
- Western Union (800-325-6000)
- If you suspect that a friend or family member is being victimized as a result of fraud, you can file an interdiction request which will block that person from transacting with Western Union. Send an email request to BeFraudSmart@westernunion.com
- Zelle (844-428-8542)
Contact Credit Reporting Agencies to Monitor Your Accounts
- Experian (888-397-3742)
- Equifax (800-525-6285)
- TransUnion (800-680‑7289)
Implement Preventive Measures
- Always request the company name, address, and phone number from the person who is calling you.
- Ask the individual calling you for them to verify your name, address, and the last four digits of your social security number before giving them any information.
- Contact these organizations for support and assistance against imposter scams:
- Download our Six Steps to Better Security PDF.