Borrower Story: “How Fig Helped Linda Recognize a Scam Before It Went Further”
An Opportunity That Seemed Legitimate
After retirement, Linda wasn't actively looking for investment opportunities. But when she came across an online advertisement featuring a well-known public figure discussing cryptocurrency investing, it caught her attention.
The opportunity appeared professional, legitimate, and promising. After speaking with someone connected to the investment platform, Linda decided to make a small initial investment.
At first, everything seemed positive. She received regular updates, frequent communication, and encouragement about the potential returns she could earn. What started as a cautious investment soon became something she felt increasingly confident about.
As time went on, she was encouraged to invest more money. The opportunities always seemed urgent, and the promised returns always appeared just around the corner.
When Encouragement Turned Into Pressure
The communication quickly became constant.
The person advising Linda encouraged her to continue increasing her investment and suggested that borrowing money could help her take advantage of what they described as a unique financial opportunity.
By this point, Linda had already invested much of her available savings.
Instead of stepping back, she found herself being persuaded to contribute even more. The pressure was subtle at first, but gradually became more persistent. Each conversation focused on why she should act now rather than wait.
Eventually, after exhausting much of her savings, Linda applied for a loan.
Looking back, she described how easily the situation escalated.
"This is my life savings and I got caught up in the moment and I just want to get out."
LILinda
What she didn't realize was that many investment scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are often encouraged to invest increasingly larger amounts of money and may even be urged to borrow funds to continue participating.
The Warning Signs Begin to Appear
As part of the application process, Fig attempted to verify information and better understand the purpose of the loan.
During those conversations, several concerns emerged.
Some details appeared inconsistent. Communication did not always seem straightforward, and certain explanations raised additional questions.
Further discussions revealed that Linda had been instructed to describe the loan for a purpose unrelated to the investment opportunity.
As she later explained:
"They had mentioned to me too, 'Oh, don't say that you're using this money for trading and this and that. Say you're using it for renovation.' So you have to lie about it."
LILinda
This immediately raised concerns for Fig's fraud team.
Legitimate financial opportunities should never require someone to conceal information, misrepresent facts, or avoid discussing the true purpose of borrowed funds.
The more the team learned about the situation, the clearer it became that Linda might be dealing with something very different from a legitimate investment.
How Fig Stepped In
Rather than simply continuing with the application process, Fig's fraud team took the time to investigate further.
Through additional conversations and careful verification, they helped Linda better understand the situation she was facing.
As details surfaced, it became clear that the investment opportunity showed many of the characteristics commonly associated with fraud, including pressure tactics, unrealistic promises, and attempts to influence communications.
Most importantly, Linda was able to recognize what was happening before taking on additional debt.
With support and guidance, she ended communication with the individual involved, secured her accounts, and contacted her financial institution to begin protecting her finances.
What had initially felt overwhelming suddenly became much clearer.
Moving Forward With Confidence
Discovering that she had been targeted by a scam was difficult, but recognizing the situation allowed Linda to take action before it escalated further.
The moment the situation finally became clear brought an overwhelming sense of relief.
"Last night when I found out from you that it was a scam, I was relieved. I was relieved."
LILinda
Today, she is focused on moving forward, protecting her financial well-being, and sharing what she learned from the experience.
Her story is a reminder that fraud can affect anyone. Scammers often rely on trust, urgency, and persuasion rather than technical sophistication.
It is also a reminder of the importance of asking questions, seeking second opinions, and taking time before making major financial decisions.
Sometimes the most valuable financial support comes from having someone pause, ask the right questions, and help you see a situation more clearly.
Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and is provided for informational purposes only. Fig Financial Inc. is not a financial advisor and does not offer financial planning services. This content may contain references to products and services offered through Fig’s loan marketplace.
