Mortgage Scam Calls Spike in Washington State

Residents in Yakima and across the state report an influx of suspicious home loan solicitations

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:20am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a stack of scrabble tiles spelling out the word A stark visual representation of the rise in mortgage-related scams targeting Washington residents.Yakima Today

A new wave of mortgage and home loan scams is targeting residents across Washington state, with Yakima seeing a particular spike in suspicious calls and texts from fraudulent lenders. Victims report being contacted about approved loans, credit checks, and other unsolicited offers, raising concerns about potential identity theft and financial fraud.

Why it matters

Mortgage and home loan scams can result in significant financial losses for victims, as well as the risk of identity theft and damaged credit. The rise in these scams highlights the need for increased consumer awareness and vigilance to protect against predatory practices, especially among vulnerable populations.

The details

Residents in Yakima and other parts of Washington have reported receiving a flood of unsolicited calls and texts from individuals claiming to be mortgage lenders, personal loan providers, and credit bureaus. The callers often try to pressure victims into providing sensitive personal and financial information, or make claims about pre-approved loans and other offers that seem too good to be true.

  • In 2025, a report indicated that over half of Washington residents had been victims of online scams, resulting in $272 million in losses in the first 9 months of the year.
  • The recent spike in mortgage scam calls has been observed in the Yakima area and across the state in early 2026.

The players

Kari C.

A Washington resident who posted on social media about receiving an influx of suspicious mortgage-related calls, raising concerns about potential fraud.

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What they’re saying

“I am receiving an influx of unsolicited calls from mortgage lenders. Are others experiencing similar issues? Despite marking these numbers as spam, I am growing increasingly concerned about potential fraudulent activity, including the possibility of someone attempting to secure a loan in my name.”

— Kari C.

What’s next

Authorities in Washington are urging residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious mortgage-related calls or texts to their local police department and the state attorney general's office. Consumers are also advised to contact their existing mortgage lender or bank directly if they have any concerns about the legitimacy of an offer.

The takeaway

The spike in mortgage scam calls in Washington highlights the ongoing threat of financial fraud targeting vulnerable populations. By remaining vigilant, verifying the legitimacy of any unsolicited offers, and reporting suspicious activity, residents can help protect themselves and their communities from these predatory practices.