We all know a “Jessica” – that friendly coworker, your cousin’s best friend, or maybe even your neighbor. But what if Jessica wasn’t real at all? Recently, scammers have been posing as a loan processor named “Jessica” to trick people into handing over their personal information. Spoiler alert: Jessica is not here to help you with a loan—she’s here to scam you.
The Scam in a Nutshell
Scammers are making phone calls and leaving voicemails, pretending to be from a loan-processing company. They claim they’ve been trying to reach you about your application and need final details. Even if you never applied for a loan, they’ll provide a fake application ID and a callback number to make the message seem legitimate.
How It Works
- The Call or Voicemail: You receive a call or voicemail from someone claiming to be “Jessica” from a loan company.
- The Urgency: She says you have a pending loan application that requires final details.
- The Fake Credentials: The scammer provides an official-sounding application ID and a number to call back.
- The Trap: If you return the call, they’ll ask for personal information like your Social Security number, bank details, or other sensitive data.
Who’s Being Targeted?
This scam is affecting a broad range of consumers, but it particularly targets:
- Individuals who may have applied for loans recently.
- People who are financially vulnerable and looking for extra cash.
- Anyone who answers unknown calls or returns voicemails without verifying first.
Real-Life Impact
Between November 2024 and January 2025, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) received over 500 reports of this scam. Many victims reported that the voicemails sounded highly professional, making it easy to believe. One victim shared:
“Jessica left me a voicemail saying my loan was pending approval and just needed a few more details. I don’t even remember applying for a loan, but she had my name and said I had an application number. When I called back, they asked for my banking details to ‘finalize the transfer.’ That’s when I hung up.”
Why You Should Care
Falling for this scam can lead to serious consequences, including:
- Identity Theft: Scammers can use your details to open fraudulent accounts in your name.
- Financial Loss: If you share banking details, they could drain your account.
- Harassment: Once they know you’re willing to answer, they may target you with more scams.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are some quick steps to avoid falling victim to this scam:
Verify the company: If you receive a call about a loan, look up the lender’s official contact details and call them directly.
• Never share personal information: Don’t give out sensitive details over the phone unless you’re 100% sure who you’re talking to.
• Watch for red flags: Generic names like “Jessica,” urgent messages, and requests for banking details are all warning signs.
• Avoid calling unknown numbers back: Scammers often use fake caller IDs that appear local.
• Look up the number: A quick Google search may reveal reports of similar scams.
• Report suspicious activity: If you get a scam call, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Quick Tips & Updates
• Did you know? Scammers use AI-powered robocalls to make their messages sound more natural and believable.
• Pro Tip: If a voicemail sounds suspicious, search for the exact wording online—it may already be reported as a scam.
Stay Safe, Stay Informed
Scammers are always looking for new ways to trick people, but awareness is your best defense. Keep these tips in mind, spread the word, and stay one step ahead of fraudsters.
Key Terms Defined
🔹 Better Business Bureau (BBB): A nonprofit organization that helps consumers identify trustworthy businesses and warns about scams.
🔹 Identity Theft: When someone steals your personal information to commit fraud, such as opening credit accounts in your name.
🔹 Federal Trade Commission (FTC): A U.S. government agency that protects consumers from fraud and deceptive business practices.
🔹 Caller ID Spoofing: A technique used by scammers to make it appear as if a call is coming from a legitimate source.
🔹 Scam Tracker: An online tool provided by the BBB where consumers can report and view reported scams.
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