Columbia, SC (WLTX) - How would you or your family cope if you paid thousands of dollars to pay off a loan, only to find out you had paid it to a scam artist?

Inside the apartment of 28-year-old Asia Parker, cleaning and washing dishes begins what Parker considers a normal day off of work.

"Yeah it was, I mean until, I'm in the phone book, online, calling secret service I mean I'm trying to get this man because he's got my information," said Parker.

But after receiving a voicemail from a man, claiming to be a police officer, demanding money for a loan she's never taken out, she got suspicious.

"I called him back and I tried to get his badge number because I thought it was serious," said Parker.

The man she spoke to wanted her to pay him $500 to void out a $2500 loan from Cash Advance Incorporated. He threatened to arrest her if she didn't pay.

"Telephone scams are most certainly increasing," Carri Lybarker with Consumer Affairs says these types of scams are on the rise.

"There's pressure that the caller puts onto the consumer to try and get them to fall for it, they try to scare and intimidate the caller on the other line. All in an attempt to get that credit card information," said Lybarker. "Consumers do not go to jail for not paying their debts."

If you think you're being scammed here are some tips to always follow.

-Watch Out For Threats: Debt Collects have to follow state and federal laws.

-Get It In Writing: An official debt agency should be able to provide proper paperwork.

-Check Your Credit Report: If you have a legitimate debt it will be noted on your report.

"I knew right off the bat I didn't have a loan, not any $2500 loan," Parker says she came forward so others don't fall for this scam, she hopes things will now begin to get back to normal.

"I mean it's my day off and you have somebody threatening to arrest you and you don't know why or anything. And legal action is going to be taken against me and my social security number. That's frustrating and it's a scary thing to go through," said Parker.

Asia Parker took our advice and got a credit report done, she didn't have any outstanding loans. The phone number who called her by the way was a Florida area code, a place parker says she never visited.

If you would like more information on phone scams or other scams in the midlands, visit: Http://www.scconsumer.gov/

Source: http://www.wltx.com/news/article/146831/2/State-Consumer-Affairs-Say-Phone-Scams-On-The-Rise

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