Minnesota AG obtains judgment against unlicensed debt collection company

On May 15, 2017, the Minnesota Attorney General’s office issued a press release announcing that it had obtain a judgment against Global Gateway Solutions, Inc. for making unlicensed collection calls attempting to collect fake payday loan debts from consumers. The judgment bars Global Gateway from collecting debt in the state of Minnesota and requires the company to pay a civil money penalty and restitution to Minnesota consumers. ​​

In August 2016, the Minnesota AG filed suit in a Minnesota state court alleging that Global Gateway violated the Minnesota Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. According to the Minnesota AG, Global Gateway used call centers in Jamaica to collect “phantom” payday loans from Minnesota residents. Global Gateway allegedly told consumers they owed money on payday loans that they had never taken out, and made threats to file lawsuits, have the individual arrested, or send the sheriff to their home if they did not make payments.

According to the press release, Global Gateway also did business as first Recovery Associates, Northwest Recovery Associates, and National Recovery Associates.