This debt relief scam campaign operates through a coordinated network of three toll-free phone numbers that have generated a combined total of 420 FTC complaints and 35 FCC complaints. The primary number in this operation is 855-357-2024, which has accumulated 286 FTC complaints and 35 FCC complaints, followed by 844-502-3272 with 130 FTC complaints, and 855-350-7202 with 4 FTC complaints. All three numbers are classified under debt reduction services targeting credit cards, mortgages, and student loans, with the exception of 855-350-7202 which is categorized as "Other."
The numbers demonstrate strong operational connections, with cross-reporting relationships showing confidence levels ranging from 0.59 to 0.85. The highest correlation exists between 855-357-2024 and 844-502-3272 at 0.85 confidence, indicating these numbers are frequently reported together by the same victims. Phone numbers 844-502-3272 and 855-350-7202 also show a strong 0.74 confidence correlation, suggesting coordinated use across the campaign.
Geographically, this campaign shows concentrated targeting in Florida, with Lakeland appearing as a top location for all three numbers, and Tampa and Tallahassee also heavily impacted. The scam has expanded beyond Florida, with significant activity reported in Porter Ranch, California, Salt Lake City, Utah, and LaGrange, Kentucky. Community reports reveal the scammers use personas like "Paul Johnson" and offer personal loans with specific terms such as "$25,000 personal loan at 5.8%" to establish credibility and lure victims into debt relief schemes.
Consumer impact appears substantial, with victims reporting daily harassment calls using rotating numbers that make blocking efforts ineffective. The persistent nature of the campaign is evident from reports of calls occurring multiple times per day over several months, with scammers adapting their phone numbers to circumvent blocking attempts while maintaining similar messaging patterns.
To protect yourself from this debt relief scam, never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers offering loan or debt reduction services. Legitimate lenders do not make cold calls offering pre-approved loans. If contacted by any of these numbers, hang up immediately and do not press any numbers or follow prompts. Do not click on any links in related text messages or emails. Report these calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. Before engaging with any debt relief service, verify their legitimacy through your state attorney general's office and check complaint databases. You can verify if a phone number has been reported as suspicious by searching FTC and FCC complaint databases or consumer protection websites.
This campaign represents a high-threat, persistent debt relief scam with significant consumer impact across multiple states. The coordinated use of multiple phone numbers and high complaint volumes indicate an active, well-resourced operation. Consumers should exercise extreme caution with unsolicited debt relief offers and report any contact from these numbers immediately to federal authorities.