A new predatory scam is targeting consumers across the country promising loans that never materialize. Potential victims receive voicemails claiming approval for $50,000+ loans from “Opportunity One” Group. Recipients are provided a callback number and urged to phone back to “secure your loan funds today.”
However, Opportunity One Group Loan is not a real lender. It is an elaborate scam operation defrauding victims into providing sensitive personal information and paying bogus loan fees upfront. The criminals then disappear with victims’ money and identities. Losses can total thousands per victim.
How the Opportunity One Voicemail Scam Loan Offer Works
This egregious scam starts with victims receiving unsolicited voicemails claiming approval for hefty loan sums. It then manipulating victims into providing private data and fees.
1. Voicemails Promise $50K+ with Urgent Deadline
Potential victims receive voicemails stating they’ve been preapproved for loans up to $75,000 from Opportunity One Group.
Here some of their voicemail scripts to trap users:
Good afternoon, this message is for Raul Jimenez. My name is Michael Smith, calling from Opportunity One Group regarding your loan application, reference number 459102. I have excellent news – you have been approved for up to $65,000 in loan funds with our company!
Please call back as soon as possible at 855-397-0931 to complete the process and secure your approved financing. This is a time-sensitive offer so call back today before your approval period expires. Thank you and congratulations on qualifying with Opportunity One Group Loan!
Hello, am I speaking with Abigail Grant? This is Sabrina from the loan processing department at Opportunity One Group. I’m calling about your loan inquiry we received, case number 832690. You have been pre-qualified for one of our low interest rate loans worth $55,000!
We need you to call us back today at 844-470-0521 – this offer is time sensitive and reserved only for you until end of day.
Call now to complete your loan eligibility review and we can deposit your approval funds immediately after. Thank you and we look forward to helping you secure these loan funds in your account ASAP when we hear back from you at your earliest convenience today.
The messages sound official and use real-looking reference codes. Victims are told to urgently call back before the offer expires.
2. Recipients Speak to “Loan Officers”
When victims call back excited about the loan offer, they reach sophisticated scam call centers. Criminals posing as lending “officers” gain victims’ trust.
3. Private Data is Gathered from Victims
Fake officers then request sensitive info to “confirm eligibility” – full names, birth dates, SSNs, bank details, incomes, etc. This data allows them to steal identities.
4. Victims Pay Upfront Fees
Additionally, victims are required to pay “processing fees” of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to secure the fake loans. Scammers collect these payments before victims realize there is no real loan.
5. Criminals Disappear with Money and Identities
After extracting private data and fee payments from duped victims, the fraudsters disappear without providing any actual loans. Victims are left with stolen identities, drained accounts, and no loan funds.
Spotting Red Flags of the Opportunity One Group Loans
Recognizing signs of this predatory scam is crucial to avoid becoming entrapped.
✅ Unsolicited voicemail approving you for loan sums
✅ Message sounds urgent and personalized
✅ Asked to provide sensitive information
✅ Required to pay fees upfront to receive loan
✅ High-pressure tactics used if you question process
If you notice these red flags in an unsolicited loan offer, proceed with extreme caution. Do not provide information or payments.
Immediate Steps if You Already Fell Victim to this Groups Racket
If you supplied information or paid fees to Opportunity One Group Loan fraudsters, take these actions immediately:
● Alert your bank of any fraudulent charges made. Request reversals.
● Contact credit card companies if details were compromised. Freeze accounts.
● Place fraud alert on your credit reports and review for theft signs.
● Reset all account passwords and security questions/answers.
● File reports with the FTC, IC3, and local law enforcement.
● Consult IdentityTheft.gov’s recovery guide for victims.
Avoiding Loan Scams in the Future
Apply the following tips to evade predatory loan scams using deceitful approval offers going forward:
● Be skeptical of all unsolicited loan offers. Do your due diligence researching the company extensively first before supplying information or money.
● Never pay upfront fees to receive a loan. Real lenders disburse approved loan funds directly to you, not after extra charges.
● Don’t trust enthusiastic voicemails promising approval for thousands of dollars in financing without formally applying. This tactic is a go-to manipulation method.
● Guard your private data closely until officially approved for financing with credible lenders – after you initiated contact.
● Conduct all loan application processes directly through legitimate lender websites rather than via phone calls and emails.
● Recognize that approved loan offers with great terms but demanding quick action before fabricated deadlines could be ploys. Take your time and vet all organizations.
Protecting yourself requires awareness of loan scammers’ sly tactics and acting cautiously regarding voicemails, calls and unsolicited offers. If an “approval” seems too good to be true, it likely is. Trust your instincts and avoid being baited into providing cash or IDs to fraudsters.
