03-9752-6206

text message;

Despite previous attempts to contact you. our records show an outstanding amount owed to our client. please cann L&C Recoveries on 0397526206 Quote ACC #XXXXXX (not going to identify the quote number for security reasons.

I do not owe any money to any one I am affiliated with, the text message reeks of phishing. I have not responded.

I received the exact same text message a few weeks ago. There's nobody that I owe money to. Tried to look up the company L&C Recoveries but can't find them. Would have to agree that this is some sort of scam attempt.

I've got the exact same msg. But instead of L&C it was replaced ith GE lawyers. This message is absolutely nonsense!

Add me to the list! Recieved the message just now. Scamming sods.

Just called the number. "Good afternoon Law & Commercial recovery, Robert speaking." then I hung up.

Pretty elaborate scamif it is one. Yet there is no instances of them on the web. Strange indeed.

I just got a text from these guys too.

Headed "OverDueDebt"

"Our records show an outstanding amount owed to our client. Please call Legal & Commercial Recoveries on 0397526206. Quote #############" (I've left the quote number out in case).

I don't owe anyone money, this has to be a scam.

I called the number from my landline and got a recorded message asking me to hold the line. I hung up.

Turns out this group is online.

http://www.legalandcommercial.com.au/privacy.asp

Yup, legitimate (I think).

:o(

I owe $42 to Video Ezy for a late video from 6 years ago!!

They didn't ask me to pay them, or ask for any details, they said they would send out a letter outlining the fee and how I can fix it up.

I think I will be going directly to Video Ezy to check on it ;o)

Not too impressed - apparently I owe $90 for a dvd i supposedly never returned... but they couldnt tell me when I hired it.

I have just received the same msg.....Not sure what its regarding, cant remember what i have out-standing...
"Further to recent attempts to contact you, our records show an over due amount owed to out client.
Please call L%C Recoveries on 0397526206. Quote acc #xxxxxxx."
Could someone please tell me who these people are??

I got this message just now from this number. Not replying.
Scamsters.
Grrrrr!

They may be online, but why don't they have a street address? And if they were genuine they'd call. This still stinks of dodginess to me.

My mum just got the same thing that money is owed the their 'client'. Doesn't outline who the client is. Dodgy.

I too received an SMS headed "OverDueDebt".

I called the number and apparently I owe $30.85 for late fees on DVDs I hired (and had returned - obviously late) in Jan 2007! So from 4 & 1/2 years ago!

The person I spoke to is going to send me more information as he could not tell me a lot over the phone.

This is the debt recovery company used by most major video stores (Video EZY, Blockbuster, Video Zone etc) they sell their dectors to this company for a reduced price and then that company are responsible for collecting the money.
I had a fine of $32 which i just payed, i tried to sign up to a different video shop and they looked up my deets on their computer and it said that i was listed on the National Default Registry. Basicly it's all the one company buying up small debts and then collecting on them. if you don't pay though it will definitely affect your credit rating as they inform the debt registry and they are responsible for sniffing out money you owe and giving you a rating and recomendation for credit approval.

I got the text today too - after a letter in the mail

After reading this Im going to assume they are the same people that want $42 for a Spiderman game that was one night overdue.  something to do with admin fees etc - pfff. A simple phone call in the first place rather than handing it to a debt collector they would have got there whole $4 or whatever it was worth.

Just got the same text. I have no debts so wondered who it was hence ending up here. I used to belong to a video store in South Mebourne but its shut now so I can only assume they went bust and are trying to get any money back. I dont even think I got any movies out that were returned late. Ignore.

Our records show an outstanding amount owed to our client. Please call Legal and Commerical Recoveries on 0397526206. Quote ACC: xxxxxx

I got a text from them this morning and was almost 100% sure it was a scam since I didn't owe anyone money. I decided to call them from my skype account just in case though. Turns out, not a scam. Seriously. Just the wrong number.

Web reply to 03 9752 6229

My name is Andrew Wall and I am the owner and founder of the company to which all these posts are referring, Legal and Commercial. 03 9752 6229.

We are a debt collection agency that services clients from all over Australia.

Recently it was brought to my attention that a number of web sites had many blogs referring to my company and 03 9752  6299 with regards to unsolicited txt or sms messages.

I thought I should set the record straight as I was alarmed to read some of the misinformation being posted that is completely false and untrue.

There are only a few reasons why someone would receive an unsolicited sms or txt on their mobile phone from Legal and Commercial:

1.    We have been unable to make contact with you by conventional means (post).
2.    We have received mail back from Australia Post stating that you have moved address.
3.    Your home phone number is no longer connected or has been changed,
4.    The only contact information that may be current is your mobile phone number.
5.    You have recently been given a new mobile phone number by your telephone provider
and that new number provided to you, previously belonged to the person we are seeking to contact.  (you have been given a recycled phone number)

I also think it is important to explain why the text or sms sent to you is not specific in detail.

Current privacy laws prevent us (or any debt collection agency) from being explicit with regards to debts owed and additional information including (DOB) date of birth etc unless we have already established the identity of the person we have been trying to contact.  Until we can confirm that we are talking to the correct person, we are forbidden by current privacy laws to send that information out on sms or txt or by any other means.  This protects the privacy of the debtor and ensures compliance to current laws.  More importantly it ensures that we are not giving out personal information about yourself to the person who has picked up your old mobile number.

This immediately creates a layer of uncertainty and suspicion when you receive an unsolicited sms or txt from Legal and Commercial. It is very understandable to feel this way when you have never made contact with our office before, and may not even be aware that you have a legitimate debt in your name.  There is nothing worse than receiving txt or sms that is not for you.

I trust this post has allayed a few fears and puts things back into perspective as to why you have received an sms or txt from Legal and Commercial.

If you are still uncertain or wary, I am personally available to take your phone call on 03 9752 6206.  If I am unavailable, please leave a message with one of our collection team with a reference to this post and I will do my best to call you back within 24 hours.

Regards Andrew Wall
Managing Director
Legal and Commercial
PS:   Txt and sms is a cost effective way to make contact with debtors.   Most of the debtors on our books have agreed to pay for costs of recovery in advance, if your account moves into default.  Legal and Commercial do not charge debtors accounts for the cost of sms or txt although allowed by the contract you signed.  So please call and sort out what needs to be sorted.