Consumer Alert: Scammers Claiming to Express Advance America Target People in Texas

Consumer Alert: Scammers Claiming to Express Advance America Target People in Texas

Business offers strategies for avoiding pay day loan and business collection agencies frauds

SPARTANBURG, S.C. , June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Advance America, a nationwide provider of payday loans and other monetary solutions, has become alert to a brand new revolution of frauds targeting consumers in Texas . These scam music artists, posing as Advance America representatives to gather cash from naive consumers, have been in no method connected to the business.

Within the last couple weeks, in specific, scammers have contacted residents claiming they’ve been pre-approved for a financial loan, after which asking them to get a prepaid debit card or cable cash as a “processing cost” or “good faith deposit.” In other situations, scammers look for to get on “unpaid” cash advance debt, usually threatening arrest or appropriate action or demanding personal monetary information on the phone.

“Scammers usually utilize the trustworthiness of the best, respected company to con victims from their money,” stated Patrick O’Shaughnessy , president and CEO of Advance America. “Legitimate payday loan providers such as for example Advance America are very controlled at both their state and federal degree and will not use the types of fraudulent and unlawful techniques utilized by scam designers.”

Advance America urges consumers to recognize the caution signs and symptoms of monetary fraud and follow these strategies for avoiding loan that is payday business collection agencies scams. If people suspect being scammed, they need to report it instantly to neighborhood police force also to the financial institution that the scammer claims to express. Advance America clients can call 888-310-4238.

Discover signs and symptoms of a scam

Federal legislation strictly regulates just just how bill that is real and loan agents can perform business. The federal Fair Debt Collection methods Act (FDCPA) particularly forbids loan companies from being abusive, unjust or misleading in wanting to gather a financial obligation. Regulations specifically states debt collectors cannot threaten consumers with arrest or jail time if they do not spend their bill. If somebody claims you are going to face criminal prosecution until you straight away wire them money, it is most likely a scam.

Scammers might also claim you have already been pre-approved for a financial loan, after which need you to buy a prepaid debit card or wire cash as a “processing fee” or “good faith deposit.” Others may really be identification thieves off to get the individual or information that is financial.

Steer clear of Scams:

Along with focusing on how loan providers and bill enthusiasts can run, customers should additionally do something to protect by themselves, including:

  • Never ever provide information that is personal such as the Social Security number or bank-account information online or higher the telephone without confirming that you’re dealing with a legitimate loan provider or bill collector. To confirm, phone the establishment straight right back making use of a understood number, like the quantity noted on your declaration or from the straight back of your credit/debit card.
  • Be dubious of any e-mail with urgent demands for individual information that is financial. If a message demands instant action or makes upsetting or exciting false statements, it really is most likely a fraud.
  • Verify company licenses whenever applying for that loan on line. Genuine loan providers will show state licenses to their internet sites to verify they are full-service, certified lenders complying with state and laws that are federal.
  • Never wire money or offer debit that is prepaid information to a loan provider payday loans PA claiming you have got been pre-approved for the loan and must make a short re re payment as being a “show of great faith.”
  • Keep anti-virus, anti-malware, and spam e-mail security software as much as date on all of your computing products.
  • Preserve accurate documentation of most outstanding financial obligation, and consist of loan provider email address.
  • Frequently look at your bank, credit and debit card statements to make certain there aren’t any transactions that are unauthorized. Likewise, check always your credit history (using Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) every four months on a rotating foundation; credit file tend to be among the first places where indications of identity theft or fraudulence can look.
  • If somebody draws near you claiming you borrowed from them a financial obligation, need they supply written proof your debt given that legislation calls for – particularly when it is for a charge a fee do not recognize.