Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Choose Your Region

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Main

Sections

Features

News 12 Originals

Default

Be the first to know

Topics you care about, straight to your inbox

Your email address

Consumer Alert: Fake debt collector scam calls

<p>Officials say that last year&rsquo;s massive security breach at Equifax has led to a new round of unsuspecting people getting calls from fake debt collectors trying to scam them.</p>

News 12 Staff

•

Feb 9, 2018, 9:27 PM

•

Updated 2,279 days ago

Share:

Officials say that last year’s massive security breach at Equifax has led to a new round of unsuspecting people getting calls from fake debt collectors trying to scam them.
“We have been getting a lot of phone calls from people being victimized by fake debt collection calls,” says Pam Dixon with the World Privacy Forum.
Dixon says that since the Equifax breach, the scammers may even have real information about the victim.
“They’ll say you did not make a payment on, and then they’ll say the name of the credit card. They already have that information,” she says.
Officials say that there are some ways to protect oneself from these types of scams.
  • Never pay a debt collector over the phone
  • Ask for the debt information in writing
  • Get the name of the “collection agency,” look up the number and call them back
Officials say that above all, do not give out personal information. If they have already called you, they do not need to verify your identity.
Experts also say that if you do not think that you owe money, you probably don’t and it is more than likely a scam.
More from News 12
2:32
STORM WATCH: Early morning storms, conditions approve in the afternoon with temps in mid-80s

STORM WATCH: Early morning storms, conditions approve in the afternoon with temps in mid-80s

1:35
Early morning storms expected to impact morning commute in New Jersey

Early morning storms expected to impact morning commute in New Jersey

0:29
Officials: 2 oil tanker engineers accused of dumping oily waste off coast of New Jersey

Officials: 2 oil tanker engineers accused of dumping oily waste off coast of New Jersey

0:24
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses host Met Gala-like fashion show for Nurses Week

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses host Met Gala-like fashion show for Nurses Week

0:24
Police: Juvenile charged for making fake threat at Warren Middle School

Police: Juvenile charged for making fake threat at Warren Middle School

0:27
Police: Car crash into Little Ferry adult school caused by faulty brakes

Police: Car crash into Little Ferry adult school caused by faulty brakes

1:50
Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

2:36
Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

2:46
8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school

8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school

1:27
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

0:26
Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

0:39
State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

0:42
Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

1:39
Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

2:06
Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

0:24
Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

2:03
Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know

Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know