Ignore unexpected calls about loans you didn’t apply for

Scammers Calling About Loans You Didn’t Apply For: What to Know (FTC—September 8, 2025)

What’s Happening

Scammers may call you out of the blue, claiming you're "prequalified" for a loan—when you're not. They often:

• Ask for personal details like your Social Security number, bank account, or birth date.
• Use pressure tactics like “You must respond now!” or “Don’t miss this.”
• Offer to “take you off the call list” if you call them back (another trick).
  (Consumer Advice)

How They Keep You Talking

• They may call many times a day from different numbers to wear you down.
• They often spoof caller ID, making their calls look local or official.
  (Consumer Advice)

What You Should Do

1. Don’t call back. Even if they offer to “remove” you, calling back can lead to more scam calls.
2. Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can fake numbers to fool you.
3. Block the number. Use your phone’s call-blocking feature, or apps/your phone provider’s tools to label or block scam calls. These may show up as “spam” or “scam likely.”
   (Consumer Advice)
4. Report the call to the FTC. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and include:
• The phone number you saw
• Any callback number they gave
  (Consumer Advice)

 

Why This Matters to Older Adults

Scams aimed at seniors are on the rise—and the amounts lost can be substantial:

• Reports of people 60 and older losing $10,000 or more have increased over four times since 2020.
• Losses exceeding $100,000 have jumped eightfold, totaling around $445 million in 2024.
  (Federal Trade Commission)

Scammers often pretend to be banks, government agencies, or even the FTC itself, telling you to transfer money “for your safety.” The reality? They’re stealing your money.
(Federal Trade Commission)

 

Quick Safety Tips

• Hang up immediately. Don’t listen or share information.
• Verify through a trusted number. If they claim to be from a bank or agency, hang up and call the official number you know.
• Talk with someone you trust. A friend or family member can help you think clearly.
• Never send money or personal details in response to unexpected calls.

 

In Summary (Clear and Simple)

Scenario	What to Do Right Away
Unexpected loan offer call	Don’t call back. Hang up.
You see “scam likely” on caller ID	Still a scam—don’t answer. Block number.
They claim it’s urgent or official	Stay calm. Do NOT share any personal info.
You feel unsure or frightened	Talk to a family member before doing anything.

 

You're not alone—and help is available.

• The FTC is here to protect you. If something doesn’t feel right, it's probably not right.
• Blocking scam calls and reporting them helps everyone stay safer.
• If you ever feel pressured or confused, take a moment—it's OK to pause and ask someone you trust.

If you’d like, I can guide you through setting up call-blocking on your phone step by step. Just let me know!

*Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/ignore-unexpected-calls-about-loans-you-didnt-apply