ACS Legal Department Debt Collection Lawsuit Email Scam
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
If you have received an email from ACS Legal Department or any other entity claiming that you owe a debt and threatening legal action, you should be very careful. This email scam is designed to scare you into paying money that you do not owe, and it may also expose you to identity theft and fraud.
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What is ACS Legal Department Email Scam?
ACS Legal Department email scam is a type of phishing scam that targets consumers who may have applied for or obtained a payday loan or other online loan in the past. The scammers use various names, such as ACS Incorporation, ACS Legal Group, ACS Legal & Collection Department, ACS Inc. Payday Loans, ACS Incorp., American Cash Services, American Cash Services USA, Advance Cash Services, Ace Cash Services, American Credit Solutions, Inc., ACE Incorporation, etc.
The scammers send emails that look like official notices from a law firm or a debt collection agency. The emails claim that the recipients owe a debt to a company with “ACS” in its name or the initials “ACS”, and that they have been given a chance to settle the debt outside of court. The emails also threaten legal action, such as a lawsuit, an arrest warrant, a wage garnishment, a credit report damage, etc., if the recipients do not pay immediately.
The emails typically look something like this:
Subject: Final Notification_Lawsuit Case File# PL01001084
FINAL NOTICE COLLECTIONS
Dear Customer,
To date, we have received no correspondence pertaining to your $550.00 debt to ACS. This, following numerous attempts to collect, will be your final notification prior to our referring your debt to an outside legal firm.
Your balance is currently months past due. We intend to close this matter within more than next three to seven business days. Your full payment or the negotiated payment once in touch with the department shall be received to avoid the legal charges under the FDCP Act on this case file for the payment due.
If you fail to respond to this notice you will be contacted by the legal department with the CREDIT BUREAU and can no longer be assisted by our company in preventing this potential credit affecting legal charges to take place.
If you wish to resolve this matter before court dated February 16th, 2018, Make payment arrangement and pay the amount to close your case file.
Dispute this matter represent yourself at the courthouse on February 16th, 2018 with legal charges and Lawsuit amount of $2865.36.
At this time the choice is yours and I sincerely hope you choose to resolve this matter before legal action is commenced.
Do revert back ASAP to update the case file so that we can restrain legal charges on the case file.
Thank you
Chris Harris
Investigation Officer
Collections
ACS LEGAL DEPARTMENT
The emails often contain personal information of the recipients, such as their name, address, phone number, social security number, bank account number, etc., which may have been obtained from online loan applications or other sources. The emails also provide a phone number or an email address for the recipients to contact the scammers and arrange the payment.
The scammers may also call the recipients or their relatives, friends, employers, etc., using spoofed phone numbers or fake caller IDs. The callers may impersonate lawyers, law enforcement officers, court officials, etc., and repeat the same threats and demands as in the emails.
The scammers may ask the recipients to pay the debt using prepaid cards, gift cards, wire transfers, money orders, or other untraceable methods. The scammers may also ask the recipients to provide more personal or financial information, such as their credit card number, online banking credentials, etc., which can be used for further fraud.
Why is ACS Legal Department Email Scam Dangerous?
ACS Legal Department email scam is dangerous for several reasons:
It can cause financial loss: If you pay the scammers, you will lose your money and you will not get rid of the debt or the legal threats. The scammers may also keep contacting you and demand more money or information.
It can cause emotional distress: If you receive these emails or calls, you may feel scared, stressed, anxious, angry, embarrassed, etc. The scammers may also harass you or your loved ones with repeated calls or messages.
It can cause identity theft: If you provide your personal or financial information to the scammers, they may use it to open new accounts in your name, make fraudulent transactions with your existing accounts, file fake tax returns in your name, etc.
How to Avoid ACS Legal Department Email Scam?
To avoid falling victim to ACS Legal Department email scam or any similar scam, you should follow these tips:
Do not respond to any email or call that claims that you owe a debt and threatens legal action. Delete the email or hang up the phone immediately.
Do not click on any link or attachment in such emails. They may contain malware that can infect your device and steal your information.
Do not pay any money or provide any information to anyone who contacts you about a debt that you do not recognize or that you have already paid. Verify the legitimacy of the debt and the collector by contacting the original creditor directly using a reliable source of contact information.
Do not trust any email or call that uses personal information to convince you that they are legitimate. Scammers can obtain such information from various sources and use it to manipulate you.
Do not use any prepaid cards, gift cards, wire transfers, money orders, or other untraceable methods to pay anyone who claims to be a debt collector or a lawyer. These methods are favored by scammers because they are hard to trace and recover.
Report any suspicious email or call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state attorney general’s office, and your local police department. You can also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The ACS Legal Department Debt Collection Lawsuit Email Scam can contain malware within the attachments or links that appear in the body of the email. By interacting with the malware — for example, opening or downloading an attachment that contains a malicious payload — the user may unknowingly infect their device or network, enabling attackers to gain access to protected applications and data.
To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows.
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the MBSetup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
You may be presented with a User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes setup wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The Malwarebytes installer will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program on, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
On the next screen, click “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
Click on “Scan”.
Malwarebytes is now installed on your computer, to start a scan click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the Malwarebytes scan is finished scanning it will show a screen that displays any malware, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that it has detected. To remove the adware and other malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
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Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
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