Texts about a loan you never applied for
Federal Trade CommissionNationwide
On January 20, 2026, the FTC described text messages that pretend to follow up on a loan application the recipient never submitted. The example in the alert is a text about a $10,000 loan. Other versions say you are preapproved, or that the company needs a Social Security number or bank account to finish an application that is already underway.
The wording is meant to make a reply feel like a small last step: reply YES, or call the number in the text, or text NO to cancel. The FTC says responding can hand over personal information and lead to identity theft. Replying NO is still a reply.
Red flags
- A text refers to a loan application you do not remember, including the FTC's example of a $10,000 loan.
- It says you are preapproved and asks you to confirm.
- It requests a Social Security number or bank account to finish the application.
- It tells you to reply YES, reply NO, or call a number inside the message.
How to protect yourself
- Do not reply, do not call the number in the text, and do not open links. Delete it.
- Talk with someone you trust if the message is tempting because the amount sounds useful.
- Use your phone's report-junk tool or forward the text to 7726.
- Apply for credit only through a lender you contacted yourself.
If you are hit
- If you replied with personal information, start at identitytheft.gov The FTC says the steps depend on what you shared.
- Report the text at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If you sent money or account access, contact that financial institution and ask them to secure the account.
Questions
Is Texts about a loan you never applied for a scam?
On January 20, 2026, the FTC described text messages that pretend to follow up on a loan application the recipient never submitted. The example in the alert is a text about a $10,000 loan. Other versions say you are preapproved, or that the company needs a Social Security number or bank account to finish an application that is already underway. This page summarizes a public warning from Federal Trade Commission dated January 20, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
If you replied with personal information, start at https://www.identitytheft.gov. The FTC says the steps depend on what you shared. Report the text at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you sent money or account access, contact that financial institution and ask them to secure the account.
Sources
- Can you spot a fake loan text scam?FTC Consumer Advice
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
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