Not every suspicious call is a scam. Some are just relentless, unwanted, and potentially misleading. This week, we’re spotlighting a spam call campaign pushing aggressive debt reduction pitches under the name “Eastern Bank Financial.” While not outright fraudulent, these unsolicited calls are problematic for small business owners already under financial strain.
The Pitch: Reduce Your Debt…But at What Cost?
The calls begin with a calm, reassuring voice. A representative named “Gabrielle” claims she’s with Eastern Bank Financial. If your company is dealing with “very high payments” from a merchant cash advance lender, Gabrielle says, there’s a solution. Her team can cut your daily or weekly payments in half and reduce your overall debt by 30%.
It sounds like a lifeline, but it’s actually a cold-call telemarketing pitch. And that’s where things get murky.
Without you asking for help, without knowing your financial situation, and without explaining any terms upfront, these callers want you to pick up the phone and engage. That’s a red flag—not necessarily of fraud, but of a high-pressure sales tactic that could lead to hidden fees, confusing repayment terms, or a never-ending cycle of refinancing.
The Call Script
Here’s the full transcript from one of the calls:
“Hey, this is Gabrielle from Eastern Bank Financial. If your company is currently being charged very high payments by emerging cash of advance lender, no matter if it’s daily or weekly payments, we can reduce those payments by 50% or more and also save you up to 30% of the total amount owed. Even if you are already dealing with missed or temporary lowered payments from your lenders, we can still help. If you feel you can use our assistance, please call us today at 888-357-0093. Again 888-357-0093.”
This message was flagged in March of 2024, and has been detected across multiple states including California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and New York.
Why It’s a Problem
Telemarketing spam calls like this one aren’t illegal by default, but they are often predatory. When financial services are sold without context, transparency, or consent, small business owners may find themselves trapped in worse financial situations than they started with.
These types of calls often:
- Target businesses already under duress
- Bury key terms in fine print or verbal sales calls
- Lead with emotional appeals rather than clear math
- Avoid regulation by framing themselves as “debt help,” not loans
Eastern Financial is not a well-known or verifiable financial institution, and the language used in the calls is vague at best. That makes it difficult for call recipients to do proper due diligence before engaging.
How to Stay Safe
If you’re a business owner receiving these kinds of calls:
- Don’t engage with unsolicited financial offers over the phone.
- Take down the caller’s number and verify the company independently.
- Consult with your accountant or a licensed advisor before considering any refinancing deal.
- Use call-blocking tools like YouMail to stop repeat spam from reaching your voicemail.
While this spam call doesn’t demand money upfront like a scam, it does put your time, trust, and financial stability at risk.
YouMail Keeps Spam in Check
YouMail detects spam campaigns like these using real-time data from across the country. Our spam protection helps businesses filter out unwanted calls, identify patterns, and stay focused on what matters.
Ready to stop spam calls before they interrupt your day?Try YouMail for free and protect your phone and your business — starting today.
