Attorney General Ashley Moody issues tips to avoid phantom debt collector scams

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - In her most recent Scams at a Glance video, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody issued tips to avoid phantom debt collectors. Phantom debt is debt that doesn’t exist or has already been paid in full.

Moody said that phantom debt scammers often pose as legitimate creditors or company representatives attempting to collect valid debts. Phantom debt scammers call targets and claim money is still owed and must be paid immediately.

Moody said in the press release,, “Floridians who pay off debt or may have never owed in the first place could still be subjected to ruthless scammers trying to steal money or obtain financial information through phantom debt schemes. To ensure you don’t fall prey to a phantom debt scheme, learn the facts by checking out my latest Scams at a Glance resource.”

Moody offered the following tips to avoid being scammed:

Avoid providing financial or private information to unknown individuals;
Ask for a validation letter from the debt collector that includes the collection agency’s name, address, current creditor and the amount of the debt owed;
Send a written request for the original creditor’s information and proof of the debt to confirm its validity; and
Know that debt collectors are required by law to send a written validation notice within five days of making contact.