Unmasking “Fresh Start Union”: The Fake Loan Scam Bombarding Your Phone

Why blocking numbers doesn't work, who "Vanessa Rojas" really is, and how to stop the harassment.

By Kenneth Henseler, 16-FEB-2026

If your phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from a “Credit Analyst” named Vanessa Rojas, Fred Roberts, or Kiana Navarro, you are not alone.

For the past month, I have been targeted by a sophisticated robocall operation identifying itself as “Fresh Start Union.” They leave urgent voicemails about a “pending loan approval” for specific amounts like $39,000, $49,000, or $67,000.

Like many of you, I tried blocking the numbers. I tried telling them to take me off their list. Nothing worked. In fact, it got worse. So, I used AI to perform a forensic investigation on their operation. Here is what I found, and how you can actually make it stop.

“Fresh Start Union” is not a legitimate lender. They are a “lead generation” fraud ring. They use a tactic called Confusion Marketing to make you think they are associated with the U.S. Department of Education’s legitimate “Fresh Start” student loan program.

Their goal is not to give you a loan; it is to harvest your Social Security Number and banking information to sell on the dark web or to defraud you with “advance fees.”

The Script Variations:

• The “Vanessa Rojas” Script: Claims you have a $49,000 approval and urges you to call back to “finalize terms.”
• The “Kiana Navarro” Script: A newer variant offering $39,000 with a specific deadline (e.g., “by February 14th”) to create false urgency.
• The “Fred Roberts” Script: Often aggressive, hanging up immediately if you question their physical location.

You might be wondering, “Why isn’t my spam filter catching this?”

My investigation revealed that this group uses Fixed VoIP lines hidden behind a shell company called “HD Carrier LLC.”

They employ two specific technologies to bypass your carrier’s defenses:

1. Snowshoe Spamming: They lease thousands of phone numbers and rotate them rapidly. By the time T-Mobile flags one number as “Scam Likely,” they have already moved to the next one.
2. Neighbor Spoofing: They manipulate the Caller ID to match your local area code (e.g., calling a Texas number from a “214” or “940” prefix) to trick you into answering.

A viewer recently commented on my YouTube channel: “I called back… spoke to an agent who agreed to take me off the list… on 2/16 I get a call from a different number but same deal.”

This is the most important rule: Never engage.

When you answer the phone—even to scream at them or ask to be removed—their system tags your number as “Live.” You are no longer just a random number; you are a human who picks up the phone. This moves you to a “High Priority” list, guaranteeing you will receive more calls, not fewer.

Since we know their technology is designed to defeat blocking, we have to change tactics.

1. The “Nuclear Option” (Do This Now)
   • Go to your phone settings and enable “Silence Unknown Callers” (iOS) or “Block Unknown Numbers” (Android).
   • Why? It forces every call not in your contacts straight to voicemail. The scammers will eventually mark your number as “Dead” or “No Answer” and move on.
2. Report to the Authorities
   • Do not just complain to your carrier. File reports with agencies that investigate financial fraud:
     • FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Select “Impersonator Scams”).
     • Texas Attorney General: If you are in Texas, file a consumer complaint regarding “Unlicensed Lending.”

[Conclusion]

“Fresh Start Union” relies on your curiosity and your fear of missing out. By understanding their playbook, you can strip them of their power. Don’t answer, don’t call back, and warn your friends.