Homeowners across the U.S. are being targeted in a sophisticated scam in which callers posing as mortgage lenders defraud people of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Federal Communications Commission warned in a consumer advisory Tuesday. alert,
According to the FCC, this fraud involves operators calling homeowners who have many times previously sought relief from their mortgage lender and thus expected to be contacted. Callers often know details about the homeowner, including their name, address, and their current or former mortgage lending institution.
also a cheater Spoof The agency notes that the caller ID number is from the homeowner's actual lending institution, further reassuring them of the legitimacy of the call.
Nicknamed the “Green Mirage”, the people behind the calls often threaten foreclosure, and offer relief if victims send payments via unusual routes. This includes instructing third party “attorneys” or representatives to mail money orders or upload funds to the Walmart Green Dot Money Card account.
The FCC said Green Mirage scammers impersonated more than 400 mortgage institutions and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses to defrauded homeowners, many of whom learned of the fraud only when their real lender initiated foreclosure proceedings. Is.
“Operators use sophisticated social engineering techniques to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners experiencing financial hardship,” Peter Hune, the FCC's acting enforcement bureau chief, said in an emailed statement.
“Today's actions both warn consumers about this latest set of scams and show Information President Jessica Rosenworcel said, all other voice service providers should immediately stop these junk calls.
How to know if it is a scam?
Authorities warn that you're probably talking to a scammer if:
- You are pressured to give money or information
- You are asked for payment through unusual methods or channels
- You are offered a deal that seems too good to be true