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ST. GEORGE -- The Division of Consumer Protection is warning us about a scam that targets some of those most vulnerable in the current economic recession.
A St. George man contacted the division after he received several calls from someone claiming to be working for a debt collection agency. How authorities believe they found his information is cause for alarm.
The man had recently filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Because bankruptcy filings are public record, investigators believe the scam artists found his information through those documents, then began harassing him.
The man said the scammers had heavy foreign accents and demanded money.
Investigators traced the calls back to a pre-paid cell phone and believe the scam artists are out of the country.
"A lot of people that are filing for bankruptcy are distraught, having troubles, feeling helpless and may respond and shouldn't," said Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce Francine Giani. "So we're grateful that this individual came forward so that we could give notice to people to avoid those kinds of scams which are going on right now."
If you get a call like this and you're concerned it may be a scam, the best thing to do is contact the Utah Department of Commerce, and they can check it out for you.
CLICK HERE to find out more about such scams and how to protect yourself.
E-mail: jstagg@ksl.com
