One North Carolina consumer claims never to have received such a call, while the other contends he did receive one but that it was from a telemarketer and that he hung up immediately. Both consumers were billed just over ten dollars. Consumers from other states have complained about this practice and this phone number, as well. In late August, the Attorney General sued three barristers from Markham, Ontario, Canada, accusing them of collection law violations and deceptive trade practices in connection with their calls and letters demanding that North Carolina citizens pay for 1-900 charges.
Consumers claim they never made the calls.
Many of the North Carolina citizens targeted with these letters have been older individuals, including a 69 year old retired Marine from Charlotte who said he was threatened over the phone with a federal lawsuit and loss of his credit if he did not pay immediately. Small businesses have received these demands as well. The Canadian barristers are Patrick Wymes, Patrick Mlot and Brian Belmont. Presently, Messrs. Belmont and Mlot are under court order to cease collection activities in North Carolina. Mr. Wymes apparently stopped sending demand letters to North Carolina citizens early in the summer.