I am a victim of a scam, what can I do?

[dureau]

I am a victim of a scam for sure. I am pretty slick, one of the slickest if you ask me. Cant belive it happened. this is such a hairy situation I hope this makes sense:

So about 2 weeks ago I got a phone call from a man claiming be a lawyer representing "The yellow pages". I am not sure if he used the exact words "The yellow pages". In my mind T.Y.P. is a well known phone book company that is known and trusted. He may have said yellow pages inc or some play on the word Yellow Pages.

I am already suspicious because the person just sounds unproffessional and had a strange tone. He claims that I owe $370+ from a bill dated July 2011. He claims that it is for a "yellow pages listing" were his exact words. I have never gotten a bill, paperwork, or any official notice that I owed any money, let alone past due. He says he has paperwork, I ask him to email it.

Ok so the real LEGITIMATE "Yellow Pages" phonebook company advertises by sending out 1 slip of paper with a preview of your listing. If you want to be in the phone book, you review the listing, sign it, and send it back. Then they put you in the phone book, and bill you. This SCAM company (with an identical name) sent out an identical piece of paper. Same yellow and black color scheme, and same name. So I signed it, thinking it was a phone book advertisment

Turns out, it was a scam company, and I signed up for a cheap-o website directory listing. The website is more basic looking than craigslist.org and I highly doubt anyone uses it. It is an obvious generic website that looks like something a 16 year old would make on godaddy.

So now they are coming after me. They have my signature on the paper and all. This is an old school scam with a lot of other victims. They paper work was literally identical to the legitimate yellow pages company, as a business owner I have bills stacked 6inches high and just overlooked it.

I was immediatly alerted by the first "lawyer". When he said he was a lawyer I thought "Why would the yellow pages hire a lawyer to do collections.". Then in his email he claimed to be from (not the actual name) ABC LAW FIRM in Texas, no physical address just a PO box and a phone number. I even went as far as to call the Texas Bar Association, and they said they had no record of that law firm at all or of the "lawyer's" name.

Now today, about 2 weeks after this first phone call, I get another phone call. From a different "lawyer". I told this guy that I was on to his scam, and he had very little to say. Would only speak when spoken to, with short responses. I asked him what happened to the last lawyer that called? He said the man retired. First man I talked to was young, and I just talked to him 2 weeks ago now he is retired.

Now I dont know what to do? Should I hire a lawyer over a $370 bill? Can they make me pay the bill and attack my credit if I dont?

[delron]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's a rather complicated problem. I think the best option for you is to find a lawyer you can trust and refer this to him. He would be able to tell you if the call was legit and can guide you through the process if you wish to take legal steps against the company.

I've read a similar advice posted at http://www.callercentercom and I think it applies to your situation so I shared it.

I hope this helps! :)

[fiacre68]

Don't pay them. It that easy.

They won't go to court. They know they're running a scam and the last thing they want is to stand in front of a judge.

At the very least they're guilty of impersonating a lawyer. They're also guilty of fraud.

Check your credit report, but I would be surprised if they go after your credit. If they do, then get a lawyer and sue them.

You can try to press charges for fraud, but these guys know how to work the system and it rarely goes anywhere.

So mostly just ignore them. Or if it makes you feel good you can swear at them over the phone.

[pete]

Don't pay them. It that easy.

They won't go to court. They know they're running a scam and the last thing they want is to stand in front of a judge.

At the very least they're guilty of impersonating a lawyer. They're also guilty of fraud.

Check your credit report, but I would be surprised if they go after your credit. If they do, then get a lawyer and sue them.

You can try to press charges for fraud, but these guys know how to work the system and it rarely goes anywhere.

So mostly just ignore them. Or if it makes you feel good you can swear at them over the phone.

By law they must file a complaint in small claims court in order to collect unpaid fees plus interest plus legal fees.
Check one of the three credit reporting agencies.
By law they must provide you a free credit report once a year.
Use one every six months and that way you never pay for a report.
Part of the report will include information on any entity that requested your credit information. See if this "law firm" is listed on your report.
Do you have contact information for the online directory.
Send a registered letter to any address you can find terminating any contract immediately.
The difference is an online service can be terminated immediately. A printed directory is a binding contract.
Check the website for terms and conditions. Somewhere in there will be verbiage describing delinquent accounts, disputes, etc;
Most require arbitration.
If you hear from these people again demand arbitration.
Keep copious notes of all calls and print copies of any electronic communication.
Lawyers rarely get involved until something like this goes to collections, then is sold to a bottom feeder law firm for pennies on the dollar. Most wait until just under the seven year statute of limitations to file because the fees can go through the roof.
Technically if the account is less than a year old it is delinquent but not eligible for litigation yet.
You may also want to contact Dex - yellow pages and talk to someone there. Could be copyright infringement.
Luck.

[fionnbharr]

Don't hire any lawyer. Just don't pay anything.

Those kids are running that scam from a basement, they are not going top sue you.

It's illegal to claim to be a lawyer when you are not. And it is illegal to trick you in to thinking their company is related to the real one.

If they call again tell them you reported them to the FBI and then hang up.

Report them for real to the FBI fraud unit.