Bankruptcy filers have become prime targets for scammers

Scammers are always looking to take advantage of unsuspecting people, and if you are intertwined in a bankruptcy proceeding, you may be a prime target. In several states nationwide, scam artists have been using coercion tactics to get a person involved in bankruptcy to wire money on the spot. There have been numerous reports of these calls in the recent past, and it is of vital importance to be prepared to deal with these deceitful calls if you are involved in a bankruptcy case.

The calls from scammers usually take place during non-business hours. This makes it difficult to call your attorney to verify that the call is real and should be trusted. When a call comes in, the number on the caller identification screen will appear as if your bankruptcy attorney office were calling. These scammers use software to create this illusion, and often assure you that the caller ID proves that their call is legitimate.

In regards to these calls, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys released the following statement:

“Under no circumstances would a bankruptcy attorney or staff member telephone a client and ask for a wire transfer immediately to satisfy a debt. Nor would the bankruptcy attorney and staff ever threaten arrest if a debt isn’t paid.”

If you believe that you are a target of this illegal practice, it is strongly advised that you hang up the telephone immediately. Never reveal any personal or financial information to the person on the other end of the line, and upon ending the call, it is very wise to contact your bankruptcy attorney to inform him of this occurrence.

If you find yourself embroiled in a bankruptcy situation and don’t know where to turn, Kelley Kaplan & Eller would like to let you know that you are not alone. Scheduling an appointment with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer in West Palm Beach will allow your personal situation to be handled with the utmost efficiency, and give you back the peace of mind you long for.