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Unrealistic 'Debt Relief' Calls Could Lead To ID Theft

KIRO 7 Consumer Investigators are the first with a new warning about phone calls to your home and cell phone demanding personal information.

The information could save you from identity theft.

KIRO 7 Consumer Investigator Amy Clancy learned the callers will make you promises that experts are certain they can't keep.

The Better Business Bureau gave Clancy a heads-up that in the past two days, an alarming number of local people have been getting phone calls urging them to consolidate their debt.

Recording: We've got a program that could possibly lower those interest rates to as low as 1.5 percent and possibly cut those payments close to in half."

That's right -- the caller from the generically-named "Debt Relief Center" promises to reduce your credit card interest rate to an astoundingly low 1.5 percent.

Despite receiving the message on her cell phone, Susan Schutz of Lacey was not tempted.

"It was just too good to be true, to cut my interest rate to 1.5 percent, but I don't have any debt. So had I been desperate to cut my interest rate or cut my payments, then I might have been tempted to call," said Schutz.

Niki Horace of the Better Business Bureau tells KIRO 7 Consumer Investigators that the BBB is hearing from people who've received calls from the Debt Relief Center and other so-called debt consolidation companies who ask for credit card numbers, account information, interest rates, etc, then promise to get that information to companies who can "help" you.

"They're going to steal your identity. I mean, why would anybody else be calling? It's just very fishy. If your information gets passed on, I'd be very surprised," said Horace.

In fact, Horace says the callers claim to be working with BBB-accredited companies, but won't tell the BBB who those businesses are.

So KIRO 7 Consumer Investigators tried.

The customer service rep at the Debt Relief Center did claim to be working with the BBB, then asked for Clancy's account information. But once she identified herself as a consumer reporter, the woman on the other end quickly hung up.

Bottom line: If someone calls you asking for your personal information, never give it out.

Those who want to talk to someone about lowering interest rates should call their credit card company or bank directly.

For more information about phony debt relief calls, see the Better Business Bureau article about the scam.

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