CR Associates: (877) 738-4814 / 8777384814
We got a call this morning from someone saying they are from CR Associates, phone number 877-738-4814. They said a relative of ours put us down as a contact. We didn’t know the person but said we’d check it out.
We also did some looking online about CR Associates. Couldn’t find anything relevant. So I searched for their phone number and found this listing for (877) 738-4814 / 8777384814.
Just what we expected. A scam. My wife called back and the person on the line was very rude, raised their voice, and didn’t want to tell us anything about them.
I called a little later and spoke to a guy asking what their company was about. He wouldn’t answer my question and twisted my words, then hung up on me. I called right back and he picked up. He was mad, and told me I was ‘using the wrong bait to find what I’m looking for’. Not even sure what that means, but it’s obvious they don’t want to have a conversation with me. He hung up on me again.
So just so you know, if you get a phone call from CR Associates from the phone number 877-738-4814, just know it’s a scam. Or at the very least, a company that doesn’t want to answer any questions about who they are or what they do.
This just happened to my grandmother and we couldn’t find any information on CR Associates either. I figured it was a scam but you confirmed my suspicions. I’m glad she didn’t give them any information. Thanks for making people aware.
Comment by Shannon — September 18, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
Comment by rob — September 18, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
This happened to me a few minutes ago. I am on the phone with the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISION. The FTC phone number is:1-877-FTC-HELP and you can file a report.
The numbers I was given to contact CR Associates was
1-859-514-0968
1-877-298-7306
Comment by Danelle — October 2, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
Caller ID for our CR Ass. call was from 319-892-0349, it was a new caller as I could have someone coaching her. Something about Garcia and Associates, try to sound like a law firm. They called about my ex-brother-in-law… it’s been over twenty years since the divorce…. and I have moved 5 times since then - the power of the internet, right? Also mentions a File #, and gave the wrong 800#, then corrected herself (heard the coach in the back ground). First gave 877-241-4559, then 877-298-7306. Told her I had no idea of who she was talking about… expecting more calls in any event. What morans take these jobs?
Comment by Carl — October 3, 2008 @ 9:28 am
I got a call from CR Associates 2 days ago regarding an old friend which I haven’t had any contact with for almost 20 years. Someone named Miss Denise left me an urgent message about my friend and even left a file number to make me think that my friend is in some sort of a legal situation. I called them back at 1-877-298-7306 and they were rude and wouldn’t answer my questions about who they were and hung up on me. I called back and the lady on the other line said that she refused to be interrogated!
Comment by Julie — October 3, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
Today my mother got a call from a man named Peter Brunson stating that i was in some legal trouble but refused to give her any information as to where he was calling from. Only a phone number for me to call back on. My mom called me frantic thinking i was in some serious trouble. I called the number 877-298-7306 and got CR Associates was asked for a case number of which my mother gave me in the message. They transfered me to Chris Adams. This man then proceded to tell me that i owed a wells fargo bill from 1997 of 2,315. adn the settlement balance was 484 to pay right NOW over the phone, or in monthly payments. Otherwise they would put a judjment on me. I told him that i could pay a lil each month, however the amount i could pay was not good enough. And then he laughed at me cuz he knew i lived in an expensive city with a 400.00 car payment. And found it odd i could not afford this monthly payment. I then told him i would call back in an hour. I discussed this with a friend of mine that works in the debt business and my honey as well. Who both gave me some good advise. Both said to make sure i got information in writting. Well then i called Chris Adams back to request to be sent information via mail, and he was rude, mean, intolerable and told me basically that i didnt have the right to request written information. He then started yelling, and telling me i didnt know how it worked and i dont have the right to ask and what a horrible person i was becuase i had debt that i could not pay. He had all my debt info and was snide and aweful, meanwhile laughing at me. Since this call today, i jumped on the internet and googled CR Associates and came across many many complaints that are identical to mine. beware!!!!!!!
Comment by Tori — October 3, 2008 @ 5:47 pm
Comment by rob — October 3, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
Comment by rob — October 3, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
There are lots of people trying these types of scams under all kinds of different names. NEVER give out confidential information to people who telephone you first. Be smart and be aware. If a deal sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Take time to build relationships with people before you tell them much. People make their biggest mistakes when they are in too much of a hurry.
Gil Gerretsen blogging at GR8THOTS.com - Stupid Marketing Tricks & How To Avoid Them.
Comment by Gil Gerretsen — October 3, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
Thanks for the information. These people called for my mother at 7:45 am and mentioned her age as if that was a requirement for them to talk with her. They would not discuss the information with me but made it seem that it was imperative for them to speak with her. They also called on a UNknown caller or Private number. Now I know how to deal with them. Thanks again
Comment by Sandra — October 8, 2008 @ 8:09 am
Hi, thanks for this helpful site! I got phone call from an old friend that I haven’t talked to in years saying that CR Associates called her a few times and that they are looking for me. She said the guy on the phone was persistent and pushy with her and said he needed to get a statement from me or my lawyer regarding preceding legal action. He gave her a phone number 877 240 5390, and then gave her my “case number”. I googled CRA. and found a few helpful sites like this one! We called the company and got a similar response, rude, vague, and finally the guy on the phone told us to call the FBI. Maybe I will. Thank you so much!
Comment by Lara — October 9, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
I just got a messge from CR associates. They lady said it was a very urgent matter and left a number: 877-334-2942. The message was for my mother, but this has happened before. Someone calls for my mother saying she has us down as a reference. So this time I thought i’d look it up before calling. I definitely think it’s a scam. My mother doesn’t speak english and would not put us down as a reference.
Thanks for the help!
Comment by Carolina — October 10, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
I recieved a message from my Mother In Law in regards to a very important call she received. She claims the call was from Ms.Kitchen with CR associates and it was very urgent that I call 877-3344-2942 in regards to a file ms.kitchen had received. She refused to discuss anything with her and just told her to pass the message along because it was urgent she speaks with me. So i naturally just call the number, and very nice man answered the phone..he was kind of vague.. and asked if i had a file or case number. So i gave it to him, he confirmed my identity and told me of a debt i had from 1999-2000 (which i did..but didnt admit it yet) i listened to what he said..i just happened to be at work near a computer, so as he is telling me things i’m trying to google it. he was telling me of a 1099C that was going to the IRS..looked it up and sure enough thats true. It can actually be filed against you even though its out of the “statute and limitatiions”..which differs in each state. i KNEW that i owed that debt..lol..i got a credit card when i was in college and was young and dumb..maxed it out and didnt pay it back. i then went on freecreditreport.com and pulled my credit report and sure enough it was on my credit as CR Associates.. they were somewhat understanding about my current situation and even worked out a payment plan with me..it was a little more than i can afford..but its way better than dealing with the IRS. and its going to help my credit score. sucks all of you had such a bad situation..they acutally helped me! and thank god she didnt tell my mother in law anything..that would have been so embarassing!!!!
Comment by Christine — October 14, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
I recieved a message from my mother in law in regards to a very important call she received. She claims the call was from ms.kitchen with CR associates and it was very urgent that I call 877-334-2942 in regards to a file had ms.kitchen had received. She refused to discuss anything with her and just told her to pass the message along because it was urgent she speaks with me. So when i get the call at work from my mother in law..i naturally just call the number, and very nice man answered the phone..he was kind of vague.. and asked if i had a file or case number. So i gave it to him, he confirmed my identity and told me of a debt i had from 1999-2000 (which i did..but didnt admit it yet) i listened to what he had to say..i just happened to be at work near a computer, so as he is telling me things i’m trying to google it. he was telling me of a 1099C that was going to the IRS..looked it up and sure enough thats true. It can actually be filed against you even though the debt is out of the “statute and limitatiions”..which differs in each state. the IRS considers it “unreported income’..which is true..i guess.. i KNEW that i owed that debt..lol..i got a credit card when i was in college and was young and dumb..maxed it out and didnt pay it back. i thought i got away with not paying it off. yeah right! i then I went on freecreditreport.com and pulled my credit report and sure enough it was on my credit as
Consumer Recovery Associates
2697 International Pkwy Virginia Beach, VA 23452
.. they offered me a very nice settlement but financially i couldnt take advantage of it..they were somewhat understanding about my current situation and even worked out a payment plan with me..it was a little more than i could really afford..but its way better than dealing with the IRS. and its going to help my credit score. sucks all of you had such a bad situation..they acutally helped me! and thank god she didnt tell my mother in law anything..that would have been so embarassing!!!!
Comment by Christine — October 14, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
these same slimeballs have called my house a few times in the past week. The phone number on the caller id is 1-310-860-6293. The caller id is showing California as the caller. They’re trying to reach my father in law so we checked his credit report and found there is nothing negative on his report but CR associate was listed as also checking his report the previous day. I don’t pick up these type of calls normally but I felt like having a good fight so the woman that called from CR was the person I gave it to. Of course, she eventually hung up and I felt a little better. Hey, you gotta have fun somehow!
Comment by Lee — October 22, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
I received a voicemail from 866-367-0328 at 11:26am on 10/22. Caller ID came up as Private. A woman left a message for a “Sheryl Minor” (not my name) and mentioned a maiden name(which sounded very close to my maiden name) saying it was urgent that I return the call. Again, stated that it was very urgent regarding some account number (she gave me a six digit number that means nothing to me) and that I need to call or have my “certified representative” call. I called from work and the don’t accept blocked IDs. Called again after unblocking number and no answer. Anyone else get a weird call like this?
Comment by Maggie — October 23, 2008 @ 6:50 pm
I just received a call from someone from CR asking for me. I had replied that the person they were looking for was not here. The lady (Vivian) told me that it was urgent for me to call CR Associates back regarding a 6 digit claim number. The number they called from was
877-217-7084
Comment by Sara — October 27, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
Exact same thing happened. I am an attorney in Austin Texas. This was a charged-off account ($2100) of my wife’s dating back to 2001.
CR assoc. is a “last chance collection” agency. They probably bought the debt for PENNIES on the dollar. They are absolute bottom feeders. Check you state laws before giving them anything and make sure you try and “settle” the account.
I informed Miranda (after calling her for 5 days, after she hung up on my) of the Texas being a debtors state - meaning, the debtor has more rights than the agency. Of course, she was completely ignorant.
Comment by avi — October 27, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
THIS IS A SCAM!!! I called my local police department and spoke with an officer who had been through a similar ordeal. He instructed me to call the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint. I did so and the rep said they have to see a “pattern” of these complaints before they can take action. My advice: Call the CRA number back, get as much information as you can, but DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY, ANY, ANY INFORMATION!!! Something that really gets them angry is if you ask them what CRA stands for. You won’t get an answer. I digress… Whatever information you gather, call the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357 and file a complaint. Spread the word! These idiots called my house three times and were irate and ignorant. So, if we can bring them down, WONDERFUL!
This is the third site I’ve posted this message on. Just trying to spread the word.
Comment by Highly Upset!!! — October 30, 2008 @ 3:35 pm
I got a call from someone at CR associates which is weird because I work for a cable company and my phone is through that cable company and the call was for my girlfriend who at no time was ever tied to my account in any way shape or form and it really really made me wonder how they called the number and asked for her?
Comment by Sean — November 2, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
This person called with a case # from CRA looking for someone with a name similar to my wifes maiden name and stated this person listed me as their contact and was 55 years of age. After explaining that no one lives here by that name and that my wife was half that age they wanted a statement or information from me or paperwork would be filed by noon tomorrow. Would not give out information regarding matter.
Comment by Chris — November 6, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
My husband and I did some searching on the internet when we recieved our first telephone call. It was from 310-601-7244 and a man named Richard Scott. The lady who first got my husband on the phone was very rude and then told him to hold for mr. scott. The line went dead as if they hung up. So we searched around a little putting the number in google and found complaints similar to this “cr associates.” (Mind you, we had no idea this was the same company just sounded similar) So my husband calls them on sunday to leave a message about getting everything in writing yadda yadda. We get a phone call this morning from 234-542-2874 and a man named Christopher Adams, whom I know to be a cr associates rep and he tells us we need to contact him or have our legal rep call him at an 877 number (hubby deleted it) He called the old number instead the 310-601-7244 and got a lady and he told her he did some searching and found alot of complaints form other people about their company being fraudulent…he got hung up on right then….so are these people an actual company? or just scam artists? If they are a company, than wow…they need a maturity coach…
Comment by Mel — November 10, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
My wife recieved the same type of call 11-11-08–9:10am CST from CRA (Consumer Recovery Associates), stated she was “Miranda Witten” and gave a six diget case file number. Ask for my mother by name and knew my wifes first name. My mother has never put my wifes name on any legal document…( I figure they got her (my wife’s) name from our phone listing). They stated it was in regards to “Identity Theft” and she (mom) was to call a Las Vegas CRA office at 888-706-4381. The call came from Lexington KY 859-514-0968 As stated above I have also moved and I figure these are “spam” calls with some good information gathering personal. CIA should hire these guys. I also could not find anything with name search, but I got this: a land line supported by Telcove. I will be filing with FTC to get more complaints filed…the greasy wheel gets the ear of the ones who can do something.
Comment by James — November 11, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
I posted my story above and thought I would take it farther.
If you blog a similar situation please leave the name of person who contacted you ( I assume fake; which helps lead to proof to defaud) any phone #’s, what the stated reason for the call and anything specific to CRA the caller states.
DO NOT POST ANYTHING PERSONAL HERE or your case number.
Also: Please list anyother site with link that you have left complaints on…if we can group them and centralize them the better information we can gather from their (bloggers) statements.
From what I have read they are running several scams,which seems to imply a central clearing house somewhere with a menu of scams to “run”…for sale to persons who will run them. I read where some “bloggers” thought they (CRA) were legit…I would have to STRONGLY assume this to be propaganda (Lies to mislead) from the CRA personal…throwing a little doubt into the few who might think they (CRA) are a legitimate company and continue to deal with them; DON”T!!! A legitimate company WOULD send hard copies to you upon request, this is common sense knowledge. This is common “bait and switch” scam…they give you something that seems real, a file #, contact name, some of your personal info and then take your money. Also they would not get angry and “cuss” you!
Below is listed numbers and names from “blogs”.
877-738-4814
877-241-4559
877-298-7306
877 240 5390
877-334-2942
877-217-7084
866-367-0328
310-860-6293
310-601-7244
319-892-0349
234-542-2874
859-514-0968
888-706-4381
Miranda Witten
Christopher Adams
Richard Scott
Vivian
Peter Brunson
Miss Denise
When I made cases for the Detectives and DA—I always had the case made for them before I walked in the door and found they would go foward with it quicker then if I brought them a few vauge facts that they had to run down. The people at the FTC are more likely to go after these people if we can centralize the information.
Thanks much, if we work together we can at least shut these guys down and there will be someone else to take their place, but that is life.
James
Comment by James — November 11, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
RE: Comment by James — November 11, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
We received a message on our answering machine from the same 310-601-7244 number. Our caller was Mrs. Johnson. She stated that she was from “CRA regarding [6-digit number]” and that it was “very urgent that [my husband] call them back immediately”. The call back number was 888-706-4381. We pulled his credit report (after researching CRA online) and found nothing. We did not call back and are ignoring them for now. Is this the right approach or are we in for a nasty surprise?
Comment by Lisa — November 12, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
Comment by rob — November 13, 2008 @ 6:19 am
Very rude. When I called for their legal department, they claimed they do not have one. I was told to cease and desist when I mentioned they had violated FDCPA 809 and she slammed the phone down. These people are unprofessional and rude. They contacted my mother, I called them, she told me she cannot say anything, laughed when I said the first caller was unprofessional.
Call the FTC. Complain.
Comment by Mike — November 17, 2008 @ 10:40 am