(240) 235-4133

This is a group of people currently taking advantage of people across the United States. They go by a variety of names and phone numbers -- some of the names they use include Global****et Investigations, Worldwide Recovery Services, Worldwide****et Investigation Services and North American****et Investigation Bureau (NAAIB). Last year they were operating out of Cleveland, OH, until they were shut down -- the Cleveland BBB named them as one of the top ten scams of 2007 (http://cleveland.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.asp ... 19642b&art=4334).You can get more info here: http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/NAAIB.htm.They will probably continue using this MD number until they get shut down a***n, then s**** using a new area code, but the MO is always the same: they call and identify themselves in a way that implies they are either working for a lawyer, the court system, or the police department (all of these misleading statements are illegal); tell you that there has been a civil case filed a***nst you, they give you a case number, and tell you that you must contact them before a warrant is sworn out a***nst you. When you contact them, they tell you that they are investigating a debt that is 10, 12, 15 or so years old; they'll name some bank you've never heard of, or a credit card you've never heard of. They'll have just enough information about you to make you nervous and they'll be phishing to find out more information. They'll tell you that the debt is some ridiculous amount -- let's say $10,200 for an example -- but if you're willing to pay today, they'll reduce it to, for example, $650. But they can't give you an address. Instead, they will ask for your bank account or credit card number. They'll tell you that if you don't settle on the phone with them that moment, a sheriff will appear at your door within 48 hours to arrest you. NONE OF THIS IS TRUE. Complaints have been filed to the AG of OH, MD, TX, NY, and IL, as well as to the FTC, FCC, and the FBI (as they are trying to illegally extort money over the phone). They often target the elderly and infirm. Do not speak with them, and save whatever messages they leave on your phone. If you get a phone call, file a complaint online with the following organizations:http://www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/complaint.htmhttps://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=enhttp://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htmas well as the Attorney General of your own state. Remember: whether the debt is yours or not, you should not be dealing with these people. They are not a legitimate organization.PLEASE -- file a report. You were smart and savvy enough to do research on this number; not everyone is that lucky. REPORT THEM!!!

This is my letter to the FBI:  This is a SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!            I was told by a website to contact my local FBI Office after I received a voicemail on my home phone yes****ay.  I received a fraudulent voicemail message Sa****ay June 7th at 12:01 pm from telephone number, 1-240-235-4133.  It came up on my caller ID as Chevy Chase MD.  The voicemail stated that I need to call this number back, 1-240-696-8261 immediately because there was a Civil Complaint a***nst me CASE # MVR3347, and that I was going to have to go to court in my county and that I needed to have my Attorney or myself call them back ASAP.  The call was from a Bethel (female) from Native Banks.  I called the number back in a panic, and I reached a line that stated “All investigators are busy working on other cases and to leave a message and a case investigator would call me back”  I left a frantic message for someone to call me back immediately.  No one has called me back.  I read on the Web that this is a scam. People trying to get my credit/bank account information from me.  I spent the entire day on Sa****ay worried that I had forgotten to pay a bill or so****ing and that I would have to go to court?  So****ing must be done to stop these people.  This is harassment.  If you need any other information regarding this, please feel free to contact me either by email or phoneWE NEED TO STOP THIS!!!! THIS CALL NEARLY RUINED MY WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a similar voice mail, from Benjamin Ma**, saying that a complaint has been filed a***nst me and that I needed to call back immediately...also a 240 number.

a lady left a message telling me to call 240-696-1704 along with a reference number.  I called and talked to a Mr. Justice who said I was being sued for a credit card account I never had.  He had my name and all of my past addresses, said the bill was from 1999.  Wanted my checking account information so that $500 could be taken out now, and the balance of the $3500 in two weeks.  When I would not give out my bank information he said he was going to finish his paperwork and I would be arrested tomorrow morning then he ***g up.  when I tried the number on the id, it was no longer in service and this was only a few hours after it was on my id.

Called back asked to get the number to More Star LLC and they ***g up on me every time. These people definately are bogus

I think that this is someones home phone. I called the 866 number back but I blocked my number and they say they will not accept calls from a block number. Its only 3 people who work here. A woman, a older man and another guy. The guy will call himself Daniel Hoffman or Keith Hollman and some other names

Just got a call from 240-235-4133 "Special Investigator" so and so....Asking for my husband..Told him "whatever" and ***g up.. Well.. he called back.. I answered a***n. and told him straight up.. Don't call a***n. I know your a scam as I checked this number out on the internet.. Do you know, that this fool called back 4 times after I said that. That is what you call ******!! and when he calls back a***n. I'll say the same thing. then I'll tell him that my husband works in law enforcement. maybe then he'll get the hint.. that he is the fool not my husband....

I received a threatening sounding VM from a special investigator Benjamin Ma** who left me an affidavit number and said I needed to return the call immediately as it was at the county clerk's office now. I heard background noises and the 240-235-4133 mapped to a 240-696-1715.

Received a call from "Special Investigator Tyla James" for someone named Henry H? although I couldn't really make out the name.  "This message is in regards to a civil complaint being filed a***nst you and being formalized for your county,  Persuant to case affidavit number RIB1948 where you have been named as respondent and must appear.  You or your attorney can contact my office directly at 240-656-1704(?)" I tried to call back, but got the "this number is disconnected or no longer in service" message - looked at the caller ID, found that it was the 240-235-4133 number, tried calling that - "The number you have dialed is not in service" message came up.Wondering WTH was going on, s****ed looking around on the interweb, found this and decided it was worth reporting here to substantiate what others were saying.

I got a call this morning from 240-235-4133 stating that i needed to contact private investigator Scott Cullins (not sure if that is the last name spelling, but that's how it sounded) at 240-483-4601 regarding a suit that had been filed a***nst me in my county in Georgia.  That I was being charged with theft by taking, fraud, and malicious yada yada yada...here's a little background:last year I s****ed getting collection calls and letters about a credit card account I never had.  it had my name but not my s.s.# or my d.o.b. So I thought someone had stolen my iden***y.  When I contacted the first collection co.  they ran the social number and it came back as my brother. I had been listed as a reference.  Somehow during the whole collection process, my name got listed as the card holder, but the account had his social number and d.o.b.. huge mess!  my brother paid off the account in November and I'm still dealing with bs from it all.  He has all paperwork showing that the account is paid.Now back to the deal with this P.I. Scott Cullins and his phone call to me.  He said I owed a credit card co. so much amount ($7,000.00) and never paid and that they tried to settle with me for a less amount and I was ****** for not taking this opportunity.  I was going to try and explain the whole situation to him but he went on trying to talk over me and me trying to talk over him...it got to be a shouting match and he yelled "see you in court" and ***g up on me. so I called back and asked him to please not **** up on me and to just listen, and he said no, you listen...and we went on and on a***n. then he told me to shut my mouth and I had a few choice words for him and he went on to say that he was going to put a lein on my bank account and they'll see me in court and i was nothing and trash and that my life was going to c****e so much in the next 72 hrs. that it would make my head spin...etc.  It got very ****.  My husband called and asked the man for the company's name and address that he worked for and the guy said f*** you.  and said that my husband ain't sh** and neither is his wife. LOL  it's all kind of funny now, but I was sooooo mad at the moment.  Anyway, my husband went to our bank and had it flagged and also went to our police and filed a complaint a***nst them.  They are going to contact the man and will record any future phone calls that are made to us from either number.I will be reporting this matter further....

Someone left a message that they are a special investigator ant are filing litigation a***nst someone here at this house.  He barely spoke English which is already su****ious. AND I could hear many other voices in the background like it's a big phone office.  After checking with my attorney, he reminded me that if someone was filing charges, we would get a letter in the mail from a local Magistrate, or a Certified Letter from this company.Bring it on....

Had the same call from a William Jordan. Only left file # and no return # but claimed that further action would be taken if I did not respond.  Tried call the # back only to have it go to a voice mail box every time I called.

A man calling himself a special investigator, reported to have filed a lawsuit in my county and to call them back with a claim affidavit number? Who are these ppl? They had my maiden and married name?

a woman called and left the same message i tried to call the # she left and a so called investigator answered through a voice mail joe feurgueson,this is fishy,due to the fact that i don''t live in maryland.

A man called, left message that a civil suit was in process. Did not say what for, or county, or city, or state. I must call immediately, etc. Did not say any law firm, he did say he was "special investigator" Joseph Katcham?? I really couldn't understand him. There was no company name. He left a "affidavit" reference number. There were many other voices in the background, like a phone bank, people talking on the phone. I did a reverse look up, it is a land line, residential. Paetec Communications, Inc. - Md Bethesda, MD  Montgomery county. The whole call sounded fishy.