Debt collectors busted

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Back in June, a debt collector was accused of going to extremes to make a quick buck.

The case has taken another dramatic turn.

They are accused of using threats and intimidation to collect debts, far beyond what the law allows.

Now eleven debt collectors are under arrest, accused of using those strong arm tactics against hundreds of consumers across New York, and the U.S.

Deputy New York Attorney General, Robin Baker said, "They stole a total of tens of thousands of dollars from consumers, both in New York and in various other states across the country, by threatening them with criminal charges and harassment if they did not pay debts."

Attorney General investigators said the eleven suspects, with one more to go, all worked for Tobias Boyland.

He is an ex-con known as "Bags of Money", who was arrested back in June on weapons charges and ordered to shutdown his illegal activities.

"Some calls where they say, we are going to bring the children and turn them over to social services because you are an unfit parent. Calls where they say we will come and arrest you at your place of work," explained New York Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo.

How ruthless are these debt collectors?

Cuomo has offered some examples, where the callers impersonate police officers.

Here is one example:

"Make sure you have somewhere for your kids to go, lock up your house, get some clean clothes because you're not coming home anytime soon."

And the Attorney General said some targets of these abusive callers will do just about anything to make them stop, even paying debts they don't even owe.

Tobias Boyland, who is accused of running the collection scams, pled innocent to the weapons charges two weeks ago and is free on $150,000 bond.