I just got scammed big time. My fauit because I desperately needed a loan to pay bills. I got a letter supposedly from the Advance America with the loan information on it. I applied on line and then this paperwork came and Sam or Alexis Gonzales from Illinois called me and had me to get a greendot card with 250 on it but to not activate it until after the loan money was sent to me....I thought this is be safe. However, I do not have Elecctronic Transfer on my bank card so my bank tried tell him how to wire the money....Sam said he did not operate that way they only use EFT. I am in the hospital at this time and he keeps calling asking for me to pay the fee upfront and he would immediately wire the money. I went to Walmart money gram and in 10 min he got an additional 500 from me. He immediately called me and said my money was transferring give him additional 5 min to get my reference number to pick the cash. I waited and 10 mins later I tried calling and he does not answer but texts me saying the money was on its way but i have to wait til Monday for the ref.#. That set me into a panic. Now I am out of $952 I did not have in the first place. I called Advanced America and she said he may have been a former employee or the other guy but I was definetly scammed because the money is in his hands and no way for me to get it back. I am ready to go back into the ER because I am an elderly person on disability and I really tried doing this through the company. The company said they do not give out loans in MIlwaukee, WI. How did this fool get my info and number then? I know its on me but Lord help me. I am in severe dire straights here.
Sam O'Brien he claims to be. Says he's from advance america. Tell you you got approval for a loan but he needs you to buy a prepaid debit card and load $250 on it and give him the number. But its only to make sure you have the money. Its [***]. Scam artists just trying to steal money. Sounds Indian doubtful his name is sam O'Brien
Intelligent people do not have to go through with the process to determine if something is a scam.
Intelligent people KNOW that a cold call from somebody offering a loan is highly suspicious!
Intelligent people KNOW that requiring an advance payment for a loan is illegal.
Even quasi-intelligent people could check the Advance America site, and read their warning:
https://www.advanceamerica.net/about-us/news- ... arget-consumers
Given all that information, we must conclude that you are either unintelligent, or a shill for that phone number.
Lurkers, read this:
"It is illegal for companies doing business by phone in the U.S. to promise you a loan or credit card and ask you to pay for it before they deliver."
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0078-advance-fee-loans
If you or a friend need a loan, you really should read this:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0153-choosing-credit-counselor
In fact, the more you need the money, the more urgent it is to read that information!
Protect yourself!
Recognize that NO legitimate company is going to offer you a loan, without their doing some background / credit checks on you, and they WILL generally need a snailmailed, signed contract.
If you or a friend fell for the scam, please try to educate your other friends. The only way to stop these scams is to cut off their source of money!
You are so right. I got the same call and an email from him. He is a scam and fraud. According to the Better Business bureau they have had several complaints against the Advance America company supposely based out to Texas. IT's A FRAUD.
I just got scammed big time. My fauit because I desperately needed a loan to pay bills. I got a letter supposedly from the Advance America with the loan information on it. I applied on line and then this paperwork came and Sam or Alexis Gonzales from Illinois called me and had me to get a greendot card with 250 on it but to not activate it until after the loan money was sent to me....I thought this is be safe. However, I do not have Elecctronic Transfer on my bank card so my bank tried tell him how to wire the money....Sam said he did not operate that way they only use EFT. I am in the hospital at this time and he keeps calling asking for me to pay the fee upfront and he would immediately wire the money. I went to Walmart money gram and in 10 min he got an additional 500 from me. He immediately called me and said my money was transferring give him additional 5 min to get my reference number to pick the cash. I waited and 10 mins later I tried calling and he does not answer but texts me saying the money was on its way but i have to wait til Monday for the ref.#. That set me into a panic. Now I am out of $952 I did not have in the first place. I called Advanced America and she said he may have been a former employee or the other guy but I was definetly scammed because the money is in his hands and no way for me to get it back. I am ready to go back into the ER because I am an elderly person on disability and I really tried doing this through the company. The company said they do not give out loans in MIlwaukee, WI. How did this fool get my info and number then? I know its on me but Lord help me. I am in severe dire straights here.