AI Generated Voicemails Designed to Steal Your Identity.

It’s been happening more often over the past few months — you get a call from a phone number you do not recognize so  you let it go to voicemail only to get a message.

“Hello, this is a quick follow up about your pending preapproval for a personal loan or line of credit up to $45,000. We’ve reviewed your file and you’re preapproved. We just need to confirm a few final details. To speak with an underwriting specialist now, press 2 to be connected. Based on your credit profile and the current economic environment, this option may help you consolidate high interest debt or reduce your monthly payments into one simple, more affordable amount with rates starting as low as 7.99%. Again, press 2 or call us at 833-704-3885 and as for underwriting.” 

The voice in the message is AI generated and the underwriter is really a scammer looking to steal your identity!

DON’T GET FOOLED, HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

• Scammers use automated systems to call large numbers of people at once, pretending to represent legitimate lending companies.
• The messages create a sense of urgency, implying that a loan opportunity is on hold and requires immediate attention.
• Once you are transferred to the fraudster they will claim that a loan application was submitted even if it never was.
• The fraudster will ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank account details, or pressure you to make a payment upfront.

KNOW HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

• Delete the Voicemail and DON’T CALL BACK: Financial Institutions will never call you about a pre-approved loan offer. By calling the number back, you are allowing scammers to know your number is real and active and could expose yourself to further scams.
• Verify the Lender and Offer: Chances are the phone number that called you was spoofed. Contact the lender directly using the phone number on their website.
• Be Attentive to the Sense of Urgency: Legitimate businesses will not pressure you to make decisions quickly.
• DON’T SHARE Personal Information: If you were to call the phone number back and get the fraudster on the line, do not share your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or other personal information. The scammer only has one intent, and that is to steal your identity.
• Report the Scam: If you are the target of a Loan Voicemail Scam, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission. If you gave sensitive personal information to a scammer, please call NexTier Bank immediately at 1.800.262.1088 or visit your local branch.

NexTier Bank has an ongoing commitment to our customers and the members of the communities we serve to provide information on the latest scams and fraud attempts and to keep our customers’ financial and personal information safe.

Stay up to date with helpful tips and tricks to stop and prevent fraud by visiting our Fraud Center.