Acima Lease is probably the worst predatory loan company known to man, as we all know. I was contacted by a supposed police officer calling from a private number, who stated there was a 'claim' against me that would be processed through my county. The officer provided a phone number and claim number that the company told him to relay to me.
When I called the number, the representative did not identify the company name at first, only their personal name. When I asked what company this was, they stated 'Berkley' and claimed they were a processing company for a network of attorneys acting on behalf of Acima for a 'breached contract' and/or debt owed. I asked for their company website or physical address, and they stated they do not have one, do not advertise, and do not provide an official address. He had ALL my info: address, number, and email. They stated they are the 'last resort' when debt collectors cannot collect a debt. Meanwhile they never mailed me anything! They claimed they 'record evidence' and file documents for attorneys. I asked for proof, anything written or owed amounts, and they said they forward that docket to the court and he couldn't give it to me — and if I'd like, he could process it now to go straight to the courts?
I asked to record the call as this was all concerning. The representative said it was fine because they were already recording. I stated I had not given permission to be recorded or was alerted the call was being recorded, and they claimed they were allowed because they were using a 'government line.'
I contacted Acima directly, asked to record, and they confirmed they do NOT work with or recognize any company named Berkley. I also contacted my local sheriff's office. They stated they do NOT make calls like this, do NOT notify people of claims by phone, and the claim number I provided does NOT exist in their system.