'Easy to get' loan scams are on the rise

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- For several days, Theresa Hampton's cell phone would ring constantly.

Although the phone calls came from different phone numbers from apparently different locations, the purpose of the calls were the same: to scam this San Bernardino woman out of some of her hard earned money.

It all started when Theresa wanted a loan and logged on to a website offering short term loans.

"I put my information in. All my information, everything. And then the next day, I just started getting all these calls," said Theresa.

One of the callers made it clear. If Theresa wanted a loan, then first she would have to prove she could pay it back.

Theresa was then told by the scammer to go to her local CVS pharmacy to buy a Vanilla Reload Network Card. She was told to put $100 on it, so she did.

"They tell you to put the $100 dollars on there and then scratch it off and give them this number, and, after that, you're good to go," said Theresa.

When Eyewitness News contacted the Vanilla Reload Network Card, the prepaid credit card company told us if someone claims the card is lost or stolen and they have the 10 digit number on the back of the card, then Vanilla Reload will send out a new card to whomever called them with whatever cash amount was loaded on the original card. That's probably how the scammers got Theresa's $100.

The website that Theresa says she went to is Money Mutual, which is a legitimate website.

"The consumer involved in this apparent fraud most likely applied for a loan elsewhere or through a fraudulent website, we take every legal step available to shut these operators down and protect our customers and their information," Money Mutual said in a statement.

There is a warning about fraud and scams on Vanilla Reload Network's website:

• Never give your PIN or your prepaid account number to someone you do not know or trust.

• Do not use your prepaid card for any offer requiring you to pay before you get the item.

• And, don't email your card number directly to any merchant.

When Theresa realized she had been scammed she filed a police report with the San Bernardino Police Department. They said they would investigate.

Theresa lost $100, a friend of hers lost more.

Since then, Theresa has changed her phone number and is no longer receiving calls from the scammers.