AN OLD LAWSUIT SCAM POPS UP AGAIN
March 17, 2011 § 1 Comment
I am sure you’re well acquainted with the lengthy law-related scam list. You’ve probably gotten emails from the infamous Nigerian money-laundering operation (a Meridian millionaire was actually burned for $49,000 some years ago in this one), or the Indonesian entrepreneurs who say they need you to represent them but really only want to get into your trust account. And so on. Philip Thomas of Jackson weighs in about scams directed at lawyers on his blog here.
Recently an old law-related scam resurfaced targeting non-lawyers. It typically arrives via e-mail or telephone message and goes something like this:
“I am calling (or emailing) you about lawsuit number 8045-SA277. Our client has obtained a judgment against you (generally for unpaid magazine subscriptions), and we are giving you the opportunity to settle this matter. The judgment is in the sum of $1,650, but you can settle this matter by remitting only $399 before noon tomorrow. If you do not, we will proceed to collection.”
Of course, there is no lawsuit, and there is no judgment, collectible or otherwise. Some of the messages are from a Carol Klein, or Christine Walker or Carol Grimes. Laughably, some of the male callers identify themselves as “Christine Walker.”
Some callers/emailers ask the recipient to “confirm” their bank account number or social security number “for security purposes.” Of course, they don’t already have that info, but will once the victim “confirms” it by supplying it.
Some people report receiving calls at home or even at work, and the callers are rude, threatening and abusive.
One of my former clients called me about this and sent this phone number, 888-243-6571, which he googled. You can click the link and read about others’ experiences. Note that the phone numbers change frequently. From the dates on some of the entries, it looks like this fraud has been around for years, but it is making a resurgence in this part of the world.
This is a heads up in the event that any of your clients call you about this. If they are going to be sued, they will receive process or at a minimum certified mail, and they should never give out credit card or bank account info or social security numbers over the phone or via email for any reason, or send money without advice of an attorney.
The Better Chancery Practice Blog 
Googled the above phone number and found this blog…my mother received a call from this number and was threatened with a summons to court. Glad I googled the number. My poor mother was very distraught about this phone call.