US National Bank Scammers Still Extorting Hapless Consumers

“US National Bank” is still at it, calling up people and threatening them with jail time unless they pay up for debts they never took out and USNB doesn’t own. Here’s K’s story of how “Harry Wilson” called him up screaming and yelling. But after speaking to a consumer lawyer, K learned what he needed to say to get the extortionist to stop phone-harassing him. You’ll learn too after you read the story inside…

K writes:

I first became aware of this company when my sister called to tell me she had been contacted by “Harry Wilson” from the phone number 951-200-3254. He yelled at her on the phone, demanded that she pay him the money I owed immediately or he would use her Social Security Number to take all the money from her bank account and ruin her credit. He would not tell her what her Social Security Number was when she asked. She hung up on him.

I called and spoke to “Ryan Smith”, a man with an extremely heavy Indian accent and was told I was going to jail on Saturday if I did not pay immediately. When I asked for verification of this debt in writing, he told me he was not required to provide that and I would go to jail. He gave me a fax number 914-462-3657 to fax my bank account number, debit card number, social security number and mailing address to so he could get payment.

The loan in question was supposedly taken out on 4/13/2007, a full 7 months before I even opened an account with the bank he claimed the deposit was made to. Then he changed his mind and said the deposit was made on 12/04/2007. I checked my bank account statements and no deposits were made to my account on or near that date.

My sister again received 2 calls yesterday from “Harry Wilson” threatening her with jail time if she didn’t make me pay them.

I can deal with the threats to myself, as I am well aware they are bogus, but my young nephew took one of the threatening calls yesterday and was understandably shaken and upset over the incident.

I filed complaints with the FTC and with ic3.gov. I talked to a consumer lawyer to find out my rights in this matter. I was terrified at first, as I’m sure many other victims are, but I knew none of this sounded right. I’ve not always been the most financially responsible person in the world, but I have always repaid my debts. I took notes on everything this man told me, even making him repeat himself to be sure I had the correct information.

Then the bottom-feeder called me at work yesterday to tell me I was going to jail in an hour if I didn’t give him my debit card number immediately. I told him in no uncertain terms that this was a scam and I knew it. I detailed for him every step I had taken and the fact that if his harassment of my family and me continued he would cost his company $1000, which is the amount the lawyer I spoke with told me I would be able to get in judgment against USNB.

He started off trying to talk over me and resorted to yelling at several points, but I continued to speak in a calm, forceful voice and eventually he was silent. I told him one more call to my home, my sister or my place of employment would result in my telling the lawyer the law suit was on. He hung up on me.

My sister spoke with my nephew and explained that there are people out there who steal information they have no right to have and this was a case of that happening. She also told him again that when she is not home he is not to answer the phone unless he knows the person calling (they have caller ID).

I hope they do stop calling. Maybe they will now that you’ve shown you can’t be intimidated. What the consumer lawyer told you was correct, if USNB was actually a legit debt collector based in the US. Because they call from overseas using caller-ID spoofing and never give out their address, it’s unlikely you would be able to hit them for that $1000 statutory judgment.

PREVIOUSLY:
Interview: I Fought Off The US National Bank Scammers
Harassed By US National Bank “Debt Collectors?” Let’s Talk
Fake Debt Collectors Are Trying To Intimidate You Out Of Your Money

(Photo: Getty)

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.