The texts, calls and WhatsApp messages never stop.
“Point me in the direction of what dollar amount you need, and we’ll get it priced out and funded today!”
It’s Bella, it’s Jake, it’s Zevi — strangers offering quick cash to help Joshua Esnard’s small business in North Carolina. How does $350,000 sound? Or $768,000 and up to $900,000? Approval in an hour, they say, money in a day.
“No gimmicks, Joshua.” “No hidden fees, No BS.”
Exceedingly urgent pitches have flooded small-business owners’ inboxes since the middle of last year, when many of them scrounged for money to pay unexpected tariff bills.
The same number calls three times in a row. When Esnard listens to music on his phone, the constant pings make…