Florida Realtors^®: FCC Warns of Mortgage Scam Calls

Called the Green Mirage scam, fraudsters call a homeowner and pose as the homeowner’s mortgage provider, the FCC said. Often, the homeowner has previously sought relief from their actual mortgage lender and may expect to be contacted. The callers frequently know details regarding the homeowner’s name, address and their current or former mortgage lending institution. Callers also spoof the caller ID number of the homeowner’s actual mortgage lending institution, further convincing the homeowner of the call’s legitimacy.

The scammers threaten foreclosure but then offer relief if the homeowner makes specified payments, which are directed to Green Mirage’s agents. The scammers persuade the homeowner that they need to pay in a manner different from their usual mortgage payment method. Most commonly, the callers demand the homeowner pay by mailing money orders to third-party “attorneys” and representatives or uploading funds to a Walmart Green Dot Money Card account.

According to the FCC, Green Mirage has impersonated over 400 mortgage institutions and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of losses to deceived homeowners through this scheme. Many victims only learn of the fraud when their actual lender initiates foreclosure proceedings.

Consumers should be aware that they are likely talking to a scammer if the caller:

• Pressures you to provide money or information.
• Asks for payments through unusual methods or channels.
• Offers a deal too good to be true.

If you have received a possible scam robocall or call using a spoofed telephone number:

• Do not share any personal or financial information.
• If you are unsure, you can check by hanging up, then calling the institution using their publicly available, legitimate phone number.
• File a complaint with the FCC. For more information on how to do that, go to the FFC’s Consumr Inquiries and Complaints webpage at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us.