It’s intimidating to receive a call informing you that you’re being sued. This scam doesn’t directly ask for money, but just makes vague, legal-sounding threats. Managing editor Tami Roleff says that if you receive a call like this, look for signs that it might be a scam…
“I am calling in regards to a legal notice which is scheduled to be serviced out to an individual at this address on file.”
The caller says his name is Frank Bovino and that he’s with Neighborhood Legal Services. Note that the caller never mentions the name of the person who is allegedly going to be served with a legal notice.
“The individual to be served will need to have one valid form of state-issued identification available on their person and a signature is also required as proof of service. If we cannot locate this individual at the residence this notice may then be served at the place of employment unannounced where a supervisor or a manager will be required to be available as a witness.”
Note that, once again, no name is given of who is being served. And also note that the caller says a witness is required at work, but not at your home. This is meant to scare you, because who wants their boss to know about any potential legal problems?
The caller then gives a phone number for you—or your attorney—to call. Before you call anyone, including an attorney, do a search online for the phone number and read what other people have to say about it. Reporting scams to federal agencies helps them collect evidence for lawsuits against people committing these scams. However, federal agencies don’t investigate individual cases of telephone scams.
Report telephone scams to the Federal Trade Commission, either online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. This is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints.
Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry. Donotcall.gov
Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission either online or by phone at 1-888-225-5322.
Also report the scam to your state consumer protection office. Some consumer protection offices help residents resolve consumer problems.
