Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

The Better Business Bureau in Spokane issued a consumer alert yesterday regarding a caller claiming to be a Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce representative and, later, a school employee while asking a Central Washington business owner for his Social Security number and birth date. The caller claimed he was trying to make a map.

Here’s where things become more suspicious: The business that took the phone call received a collection letter from a supposed attorney in Ohio trying to collect $299 on behalf of a Texas-based company that creates maps. Well, the Sunnyside Chamber called the map company and was told there was an unpaid invoice. Then the BBB tried to call the collection agency but received no answer.

As a reminder, never provide personal information to an unknown caller. This might be an example of deceptive sales practices or attempted identity theft. For advice on dealing with collection agencies, click here.

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