Released by the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

Consumers who owe money or are behind on their bills may be legitimately contacted by debt collectors to pay off debts.  In a recent release of the top complaints reported to BBB, collection agencies ranked 5th in number of complaints received.  With more than 15,000 complaints, consumers need to be aware of the best practices for when it comes to handling debt collectors.

“Be wary of the red flags for fraudulent debt collectors”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Refusing to reveal the name of their agency or demands that the payments be made in cash or money transfer only, could mean that a phony debt collector is making an attempt at identity theft”.

It’s important for consumers to verify the alleged debt before taking action.

The Croley family lost their six-year-old son in 2010 when a vehicle hit them from behind as the father was turning left into the school parking lot, and a utility van behind them failed to brake.

Now they've been matched with an incarcerated mom out-of-state who is giving up her twin babies, due later in May, as adoptive parents.

Their local Chili's Restaurant, in Longview, is sponsoring a Give Back Day for the Croley family to help raise money for this adoption. Chili's is working with them through Camille Acres Missionary Baptist Church for all tax and financial transactions.

Chili's manager Tyler Braxton said, "At Chili’s, we strive to build our community relations and personal connections with our guests, and most importantly we WANT to GIVE BACK!!"

"With your help, I hope that this will be an amazing event!   Being the Monday following Mothers Day, we are hoping to pick up traffic from the Mothers that are celebrating their special day maybe just a day late!  With such a touching event, we hope they will choose to dine at Chili’s to help provide for this family in their time of need!"

For every guest that comes in with a flier or even mentions the Give Back Night, we will donate 15% of their total check to the family!  We had huge success with a similar GBN for Haven Grace in Tyler a few months ago.  We tagged over 100 Chili’s and raised over $15,000.00 for the family!"