Palmer Caufield - Overdue Notice (Scam???)

Hello everyone, I'm new here. Thanks for having this forum!

Original message I received:
Overdue NoticeWednesday, September 23, 2009 1:20 AM
From: This sender is DomainKeys verified"palmer caufield" <[email protected]>Add sender to Contacts
To: undisclosed-recipients
Message contains attachments1 File (35KB)
collectionnotice.pdf


That's it! No message body in the email, just an attachment that reads:

(Begin PDF)
AFN FINANCIAL DEBT COLLECTIONS CO.

ACCOUNT: ****************
AMOUNT DUE: $371.10 (DEBT SETTLEMENT)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE HAVE BEEN RETAINED TO COLLECT THIS DEBT FROM
OUR CLIENT. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY YOU ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS
REGARDING THIS DELINQUENT ACCOUNT. WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO STATE OUR
INTENTIONS AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE INTEND TO COLLECT THIS DEBT USING
ALL AVAILABLE MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL.

UNLESS WE RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM YOU, WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE NO
INTENTIONS OF LIQUIDATING THIS DEBT VOLUNTARILY. WE WILL ADVISE OUR
CLIENT THAT THEY MAY WISH TO FILE SUIT TO RECOVER THIS DEBT. PLEASE
UNDERSTAND THAT IF LEGAL ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN, IT COULD BE COSTLY AND
TIME CONSUMING. IF ONE SHOULD LOSE IN SUCH AN ACTION, ONE COULD ALSO BE
SUBJECT TO COURT COSTS AND/OR ATTORNEY FEES, IF APPLICABLE. THERE ARE
VARIOUS AVENUES WHICH COULD BE USED TO SATISFY SUCH A JUDGEMENT. THIS
COULD INCLUDE GARNISHMENT OF WAGES, SEIZURE OF BANK ACCOUNTS OR OTHER
PERSONAL PROPERTY.

IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO THREATEN YOU BUT TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEMS AND
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REFUSING TO PAY A DEBT. WE HOPE THAT NO FURTHER
ACTION WILL BE NECESSARY AND YOU WILL AGREE TO OUR AMICABLE PAYMENT
ARRANGEMENT.

PLEASE: TO ENSURE PROPER CREDIT, REMIT PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACCEPT PAYMENT ON THIS ACCOUNT IN
THE FOLLOWING METHODS: VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, OR
ECHECK.

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO MAKE YOUR PAYMENT: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-
bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8411365

THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO
COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR THAT
PURPOSE.

(End PDF)

I have sent this to Paypal to get their opinion.

Please advise me on how this is a scam, if it is hopefully.

What's fishy to me:
1. Sent to Undisclosed Receipients
2. I don't see my name anywhere on the PDF or Email.
3. They accept VISA, Mastercard, etc. but want me to go to Paypal Link?

Thanks in advanced, and I hope this helps others! (Sorry if this has been discussed already, I couldn't find anything closely related in the Search.)

Undoubtedly a scam, and one that I haven't seen before.

As you correctly point out, it isn't addressed to you in person and doesn't mention who their client is or what the debit represents.

The phrasing shows it's been written by a more educated Lad than the usual ones we see, but using the word 'one' makes the mail sound as if it's written by a gin sodden professor's wife. Once you start with 'one' you have to continue, which renders written communication incomprehensible. I sometimes use it for self mockery when I'm being comically pompous.

'One is being a little coy today, isn't one ?" It's a little bit effeminate too.

Its wording is totally unprofessional and lacks the punchiness of a real debt collector.

.....IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO THREATEN YOU

That's far too polite and reticent.

Thanks Gomer!

Howdy Folks...From Arizona

I just received the same letter this morning and my Outlook filtered it as Spam. I was curious though so I looked at the pdf on my mobile phone. I don't think it's coincidental that the collection amounts you're being asked to pay and what I'm being asked to pay end in the same amount (i.e., $1.10). My collection amount is $261.10.

Funny how "someone" has been trying to collect this money from me and has been sending me multiple notices and the first notice I see is this one.

I think we can rest assured that they're not going to start foreclosure proceedings any time soon!

Have a great day!...and don't be fooled!

Ha, that's strange. Why would they even bother changing the first digit of the amount? Thanks for your input CantBFooled!

thanks for posting this. i just received this email myself.

I got this one too; I forwarded the Email to Paypal in hopes they can shut down the account and send it's information to the proper authorities. This is linked to someone's bank account somewhere, so there is a wealth of information for arrest.

I received this notice just this afternoon. I realized something wasn't quite right when it never stated my name or any persons that I could have possibly owed any debt to; not to mention a blank email is a bit suspicious as well. It was from a "reyes standish," [email protected].

How can I go about reporting this.. or is it even worth reporting?

I received a notice exactly like this for the same amount of $371.10 on an old email that I haven't used in over 3 years other than to check every few months and clear out. If you know who to report to please post. I hope that people aren't actually paying these, they are probably trying to get banking info and wipe out accounts.

Welcome to you all to Scamwarners. By posting here you will alert and save others from being scammed.

Thank You all very much. Any information posted about a scam helps prevent scams.

General advice;

What do I do if I think I've been scammed?

Cease all communications with the scammer immediately. Delete any emails unopened and hang up if the scammer calls you.

Report the scam to your local police and to the Internet Crime Complaint Centre here if you are in the US.

There is not much chance that the scammer will be caught, as he is probably overseas and certainly using false details. However, the more scams are reported, the more the authorities can tell how widespread it is, and the greater the effort that goes into stopping it.

If you have given the scammer your bank account, credit card or other financial details, tell your bank, card company or other provider immediately, and ask them to change your accounts and card numbers.

Do not panic. Whilst scammers are criminals and some of them are dangerous, the risks are negligible if you simply stop communicating with them. If you are in any doubt about your safety, report your concerns to your local police, who will be able to advise you.

Spread the word. We know it's very uncomfortable to feel that you got conned, or nearly got conned, but if you fell for it, so will others. Talking about it may be hard, but the more you help educate everyone about scams, the less opportunities there are for scammers to defraud others

Ask here for help and advice. It's why we are here.

I recieved the same exact e-mail just now except it went straight to me inbox not my spam folder. I almost had a heart attack. The amount owed was $210.10. I thought it was weird that they never mentioned a company or whatever that the debt was owed to. The email was from AFN FINANCIAL DEBT COLLECTIONS, INC.

Hi Kaninapo

Welcome to Scamwarners.

Great news that you have managed to avoid being scammed, well done

If you have any information that we dont already have hear could you please include it, be sure to remove any of your own details first.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask

I got the same email this afternoon... I was actually concerned, but I google'd and found this thread... awesome site!!

anyway, here's the message sent to me verbatim (that string of ******** is actually what is listed as my account number!):

[PDF]

THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO
COLLECT A DEBT.
AFN FINANCIAL DEBT COLLECTIONS, INC.
ACCOUNT: ****************
AMOUNT DUE: $261.10 (DEBT SETTLEMENT)
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE HAVE BEEN RETAINED TO COLLECT THIS DEBT FROM
OUR CLIENT. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY YOU ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS
REGARDING THIS DELINQUENT ACCOUNT. WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO STATE OUR
INTENTIONS AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE INTEND TO COLLECT THIS DEBT USING
ALL AVAILABLE MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL.
UNLESS WE RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM YOU, WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE NO
INTENTIONS OF LIQUIDATING THIS DEBT VOLUNTARILY. WE WILL ADVISE OUR
CLIENT THAT THEY MAY WISH TO FILE SUIT TO RECOVER THIS DEBT. PLEASE
UNDERSTAND THAT IF LEGAL ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN, IT COULD BE COSTLY AND
TIME CONSUMING. IF ONE SHOULD LOSE IN SUCH AN ACTION, ONE COULD ALSO BE
SUBJECT TO COURT COSTS AND/OR ATTORNEY FEES, IF APPLICABLE. THERE ARE
VARIOUS AVENUES WHICH COULD BE USED TO SATISFY SUCH A JUDGEMENT. THIS
COULD INCLUDE GARNISHMENT OF WAGES, SEIZURE OF BANK ACCOUNTS OR OTHER
PERSONAL PROPERTY.
IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO THREATEN YOU BUT TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEMS AND
COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REFUSING TO PAY A DEBT. WE HOPE THAT NO FURTHER
ACTION WILL BE NECESSARY AND YOU WILL AGREE TO OUR AMICABLE PAYMENT
ARRANGEMENT.
PLEASE: TO ENSURE PROPER CREDIT, REMIT PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY.
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACCEPT PAYMENT ON THIS ACCOUNT IN
THE FOLLOWING METHODS: VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, OR
ECHECK.
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO MAKE YOUR PAYMENT: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-
bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8437126
THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO
COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR THAT
PURPOSE.

[/PDF]

sent by: jorge studdard <[email protected]>

AFN FINANCIAL DEBT COLLECTIONS, INC.

If anybody else is interested, I forward the email to [email protected]. I also mentioned the other paypal ID shown in this thread. Who knows if they'll take any action, but maybe they can track this person through the banking system.

Here's what PayPal says about reporting scams involving them:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?c ... n4-outside

Hi and welcome to ScamWarners! Thanks for posting this information. I'm not sure spoof@paypal will respond to your report, that address is usually for reporting emails that are pretending to come from paypal themselves (phishing). The link in your email goes to a secure paypal account, likely belonging to the scammer and definitely the one to receive the payments (sometimes stolen accounts). A quick look at their site, however, doesn't show me any other way to report fraudulent accounts. I'll try to look further and post any findings.