Scammers using name of MN clergy sex abuse law firm in debt threats

Phony debt collectors are threatening consumers by pretending to be from Jeff Anderson & Associates, the St. Paul-based law firm best known for representing clergy sex abuse victims, the Minnesota Commerce Department warned Monday.

The fraud includes phone calls, letters, emails, text messages and even Facebook posts that seek to scare people into threatening to send money immediately.

The fraudulent letters look official and include the real law firm's logo. "However, the communications show a nonexistent address in Washington, D.C, and urge the recipient to call a phone number with a 202 (Washington) area code," the department said, adding, "the number is likely 'spoofed,' meaning the actual number is different," the department said in a statement.

The false use of Anderson's prominent law firm name is a new twist on phantom debt collection scams. In these cases, the recipient is told they have a debt that must be paid immediately or that they are the subject of a lawsuit related to financial fraud.

"In fact, there is no debt or lawsuit, and the law firm has nothing to do with these communications," the department said, adding that it's working to track down who's responsible.

The department offered these tips to keep from being victimized:

• Be suspicious of anyone who asks you to wire money or load a rechargeable money card as a way to pay a debt. There is no legitimate reason for someone to ask you to send money that way.

• Ask the caller for his or her name, company, street address and phone number. If the caller refuses, the call is not legitimate.

• Do not reply to emails, texts or Facebook postings from debt collectors. A legitimate debt collection business would not contact you in that manner.

• Ask for written proof of the debt, including a written "validation notice" required by federal law. The notice must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor and information about the consumer's rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

• Do not provide or confirm any Social Security, bank, credit card or other personal information. Fake debt collectors are also in the identity theft business.