Phony loan-approval helps con artists steal from unwitting victims
- Kim Thompson: Better Business Bureau
- June 5, 2018
- 1707
BBB has been receiving a lot of scam reports about a phony loan-approval email that helps con artists steal from unwitting victims.
You receive an unsolicited email from an unfamiliar person or company. The email states that you have been approved or pre-approved for a loan. All of the information including installment amounts and the sum of the total payback are included in an attached file.
If you open the file, you’ll see an official looking notice, which includes claims that BBB and several government agencies support this “loan provider.” You’ll also notice that this loan comes with one big catch. You need to pay a $150 “insurance fee” up front. If you do so, your money will disappear, and the loan will never materialize.
Never click on links or download attachments from anonymous senders. This is usually an attempt to install malware on your computer and/or steal your personal information.
Don’t take unsolicited emails at face value. Scammers often send out mass emails that contain little or no personal information. Be especially wary if the email doesn’t mention you by name or include any of your specific information.
If you are in need of a loan, read this BBB article, www.go.bbb.org/loans, for tips that will help you find a legitimate one.
Read more about phishing scams and many more types of scams at www.bbb.org/scamtips.
Visit www.bbb.org/canton or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, report a scam with Scam Tracker, read tips, follow us on social media and more.