This scam campaign involves a coordinated mortgage protection scheme utilizing three connected phone numbers and impersonating legitimate financial institutions. The operation centers around phone numbers 8334020148, 8779131764, and 2312274002, all linked through same-campaign relationships with 0.70 confidence scores. These numbers are being reported together with two companies: FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION, which has 138 CFPB complaints in the checking or savings account industry, and My Mortgage, Inc., which has 7 CFPB complaints in the mortgage industry.
The scammers are using a sophisticated approach that combines direct mail and phone outreach to target recent homebuyers. Community reports reveal they send letters that include specific personal mortgage information such as county, closing date, loan amount, and actual lender names to establish credibility. The letters pressure recipients to purchase "mortgage protection" services and provide different phone numbers across mailings, including 833-402-0148 and 877-913-1764. One report describes receiving an urgent notice requiring contact by a specific deadline "in order to avoid unnecessary delays in my coverage," creating artificial time pressure to prompt immediate action.
The campaign appears to target consumers who have recently closed on mortgages, suggesting the scammers have access to public records or mortgage filing information to personalize their approach. By addressing letters "from" or "re: my mortgage lender's name" and including accurate loan details, they create an appearance of legitimacy that could easily deceive homeowners into believing the communication is from their actual lender or a required service provider.
To protect yourself from this type of mortgage-related fraud, always verify any mortgage protection offers by contacting your actual lender directly using the phone number from your original loan documents, not numbers provided in unsolicited communications. Never respond to urgent deadlines in unexpected letters or calls about mortgage services. If you receive suspicious calls, hang up immediately and do not click any links in related emails. Report fraudulent mortgage schemes to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or file complaints with the FCC. You can check if a phone number has been reported as suspicious by searching consumer protection databases and scam reporting websites before responding to any calls.
This campaign represents a moderate threat level due to its use of personalized information and impersonation of legitimate financial institutions, though current FTC complaint volumes remain low across all associated phone numbers. Consumers should remain vigilant about unsolicited mortgage protection offers and verify all communications through independent contact with their actual lenders. The coordinated use of multiple phone numbers and the sophistication of the mail component suggest this operation may expand, warranting continued monitoring and consumer education efforts.