Wisconsin experiences surge in AI‑driven loan scam calls

A recent report from the Wausau Police Department indicates that fraudulent loan‑offer phone calls have doubled in Wisconsin, with a 100 % increase reported over the past month. The scams use artificial‑intelligence‑generated voices and reference current events to appear legitimate, claiming to have pre‑approved a loan for the recipient.

Scammers do not name a real lender, instead seeking personal information and promising low‑interest loans of tens of thousands of dollars. They create urgency by describing the offer as a limited‑time deal. Authorities advise consumers to ignore such calls, let them go to voicemail, and avoid sharing any personal data.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has issued safety tips to help residents recognize and protect themselves from these fraudulent calls.