The Scam is on You!

Because they care so deeply for the thousands of people they reach out to every day, scammers are now offering the “cheapest” and most “affordable” loans to help you buy that new car you’ve always wanted or maybe even refinance your company.

Isn’t that sweet?

Of course, if you were silly enough to reply, let alone send them whatever information they ask for, you will soon find out that you’ve been conned by crooks most likely based in Malaysia or the Philippines.

Here’s a copy of the spam advertising business and personal loans:

From: Metrejon, Rachelle [Rachelle.Metrejon@bristolcc.edu]
To: [empty]
Subject: [no subject given]
Do you need business or personal loans?
Do you need to refinance your company?
You can get the cheapest and affordable loan from our financial firm. We give out loan to any individual and company at 3% interest rate yearly. For information, contact Email: e.groups@hotmail.my
Note: Please forward your reply only to this Email : e.groups@hotmail.my
Regards,
Benito Salvatore.

As you can see, this spam email displays all of the classic tall-tale signs of a scam.

• The email claims to come from a “Rachelle Metrejon”, yet it’s signed off by a Benito Salvatore.
• You’re asked to reply to a different email address than the one used to send you the email.
• Despite advertising a loan, they’re using a free Hotmail email account vs. an email address from a legitimate financial institution. Btw, “.my” is a top-level domain for Malaysia.
• You’re offered some amount of money – even though you’ll supposedly have to pay the amount you take back.
• Poor grammar is used.
• The email does not have a subject line or recipients listed.

So, what are your options if you receive this spam email?

1. Mark it as spam (if it wasn’t caught by your spam filter) and delete it.
2. Report it to SpamCop.
3. Ignore it and delete it.

Don’t bother replying to the spam email or – God forbid – apply for a loan through a scammer. If you need a loan, either head over to your closest bank or credit union and apply there, or apply directly on their website.
Always be skeptical of offers you receive via email that appear “too good to be true” and always look out for red flags indicating that it’s a scam.
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