Debt collection fraud is the most common scam affecting Las Vegas consumers. The scammers contact the unsuspecting person acting as legitimate debt collectors and threaten lawsuits and/or negative credit reporting. Other common debt collection scams include someone posing as an IRS or government agent demanding money or personal information to be used to steal the consumer’s identity.
 
If you receive collection calls, you should demand that the debt collector identify themselves and provide contact information for the collection company for which they are employed. Additionally, you should tell the collector you will not discuss the account without written validation in the mail listing the original creditor and the amount of the debt.
 
If you are a victim of illegal debt collection scams or harassing collections, you should contact a Las Vegas debt collection lawyer to protect your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. There is no out-of-pocket expense for the consumer because the collectors who violate the statute are required to pay your attorney’s fees and costs along with possible statutory damages if you prevail.
 
Source:https://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/8-on-your-side-most-common-scam-in-nevada-deals-with-debt-collection/1263522424
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Las Vegas residents are being targeted by identity thieves and scammers acting as Clark County officials. The scammers advise consumers that they have an arrest warrant for failure to appear for a jury summons. The crooks then seek to have the victim pay for the “fine” by providing their credit card information or loading a pre-paid credit card.

It is important for Las Vegas residents to know the Clark County court system will never call a resident to solicit money or personal information. Beware of emails or calls that appear to be jury summonses and ask for personal banking information or Social Security numbers.

If you are a victim of identity theft or illegal scams like this one, you should report the crime to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada Attorney General’s office. You should also review your credit reports with a Las Vegas identity theft lawyer to ensure there are no fraudulent loans or other false information on your credit profiles.

Source: https://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/jury-scam-targets-clark-county-residents/1254432101 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada announced Tuesday that Virab Torosyan was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for using skimming devices at gas pumps to steal consumer’s credit card information. Mr. Torosyan, who previously pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft, was ordered to pay over $40,000 in restitution. Both the U.S. Secret Service and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the identity theft and credit card scheme.

Federal court records reveal that Mr. Torosyan obtained over 1,600 stolen credit card and debit card account numbers, which he used to re-encode on blank plastic cards with magnetic strips. He then used these stolen cards to make illegal purchases in the Las Vegas and North Las Vegas areas.

This case highlights the ongoing need for Las Vegas consumers to protect their credit card and debit card information to avoid having this sensitive information taken by identity thieves and scammers. If possible, avoid using public ATM’s and gas station kiosks as these are easy targets for identity thieves.

​If you are a victim of identity theft or credit skimming, you should seek protection with a Las Vegas identity theft lawyer or Las Vegas credit attorney. Representation is free of charge because the banks and credit bureaus are required to compensate you for your attorney’s fees and costs.
 
Source: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/jun/12/man-gets-2-years-in-skimming-credit-card-info-thef/
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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) released a new report entitled “Complaint Snapshot: Debt Collection,” which provides US consumer complaint data as of April 1, 2018. According to the report, the CFPB handled over 30,000 debt collection complaints in March 2018, and debt collection comprised 27% of the total complaints to the bureau (others concerned mortgage lenders and credit reports). The report also found that 37% of complaints to the bureau concerned credit reporting errors. The most common concerns lodged with the CFPB related to attempts to collect debts not owed by the consumer, collection without written notification, and/or using illegal communication tactics.
 
This report demonstrates that illegal debt collection tactics and credit errors continue to plague US consumers, including those living here in Las Vegas. If you are experiencing illegal debt collection tactics or credit reporting errors, you should hire a Las Vegas credit lawyer to represent you. Often this legal representation is free of charge because federal law requires the creditors and credit bureaus to cover your attorney's fees and costs.
 
Source: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/cfpb-issues-snapshot-of-debt-collection-87297/

A former University of Wisconsin employee is accused of stealing over $100,000 using fake companies and fraudulent checks. The former employee, Kevin O’Donnell, has been charged with identity theft, forgery, and theft during his time as a purchasing manager at the university. Mr. O’Donnell allegedly forged payments resembling housing refunds for students that were made out to himself. In Philadelphia, another college employee allegedly stole over $200,000 by taking tax payments and failing to post the payments to the proper account.
 
These recent examples show the lengths identity thieves will go to take consumer’s information and money. If you attend college or university here in Las Vegas, or anywhere in Nevada, it is important to keep your personal information secure and to report any suspicious activity immediately. If you are a victim of identity theft or fraud, you should hire a Las Vegas identity theft lawyer to protect your legal rights.

Source: https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2018/higher-education-fake-checks-fraud/