Video uses fake Jorge Ramos audio to sell debt relief scam | Fact check

Nate Trela, USA TODAY
·4 min read

The claim: Jorge Ramos announced debt elimination program for Hispanics

[En Español: Vídeo falsifica voz de Jorge Ramos para vender perdón de deudas fraudulento]

A June 4 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows what appears to be Univision anchor Jorge Ramos informing viewers about a new debt relief program.

“Debt is at an all-time high,” the voiceover says in Spanish. “The Federal Bank is eliminating the credit card debt of all Hispanic-Americans until tonight June 5. They are doing it to avoid another recession now that inflation is at a historic high. It's better to apply while they still offer this to the public. Simply click apply now to receive yours today.”

More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

Our rating: False

There is no such program and no evidence that the video of Ramos is authentic. The audio track in this video doesn't match Ramos' lip movements, an indication it was digitally created. The post leads social media users to a website where they are eventually directed to apply for a loan, not a debt elimination program.

No evidence program exists

While the video tells Facebook users to click an “Apply Now” button, the post only has a “Learn more" button. That button leads to a website with testimonials from people who were supposedly able to eliminate thousands of dollars in debt through the program.

The website is almost entirely in Spanish, but an English-language disclaimer at the bottom includes a note that "The story depicted here is for demonstration purposes only and everyone's results may vary.”

The website linked from the Facebook video tells users they can see if they qualify by answering some questions. But even if someone clicks that they live in the U.S. and have at least $12,500 in debt – the supposed criteria for the debt elimination program – they are told they do not qualify, but an “instant loan” has been reserved for them.

There are no credible news reports about such a debt relief program for Hispanics.

The video claims the program was announced by “Banco Federal,” but it isn’t clear what institution that is supposed to refer to. A bank of that name was seized and shuttered by Venezuelan regulators in 2010 during that country’s banking crisis, according to Bloomberg. If it was supposed to refer to the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the U.S., debt-relief programs do not fall under the institution’s mission, according to its website.

Fact check: Image shows 2015 truck spill, not 'rain of fish' in Iranian city

USA TODAY could not determine if the brief close-up image of Ramos in the video with the words “breaking news” came from an actual broadcast, but there are no credible news reports about the anchor making any announcement about a debt relief program for Hispanics. Ramos has previously said he does not endorse products, expressing frustration with videos using altered images and fabricated audio of him to sell items ranging from CBD gummies to cryptocurrencies.

“Throughout my career as a journalist I have carefully avoided making commercials," Ramos wrote on his website in 2023. "But nevertheless, with artificial intelligence, it will soon be nearly impossible to know what is true and what is false."

Indeed, the video has hallmarks of AI involved, as Ramos' voice does not match his lip movement during the time his face is briefly shown.

TelevisaUnivision, the parent company of Univision, declined to comment on the record about the authenticity of the clip. But in 2023, the Facebook account for its public affairs program, "Al Punto with Jorge Ramos," posted a video warning its audience about videos that used a digitally fabricated version of Ramos' voice to promote debt relief scams.

USA TODAY reached out to the social media user who shared the claim for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video hyping debt elimination pushes loan program instead | Fact check

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Ballmer Is Richer Than Gates, a First for Microsoft Billionaires

    (Bloomberg) -- Steve Ballmer passed Bill Gates on Monday to become the sixth-richest person in the world, the first time the former chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. has been wealthier than the company’s co-founder. Most Read from BloombergDemocrats Weigh Mid-July Vote to Formally Tap Biden as NomineePowerful Storm Beryl Aims at Jamaica After Grenada StrikeS&P 500 Closes Above 5,500 in Record-Breaking Run: Markets Wrap‘Upflation’ Is the New Retail Trend Driving Up Prices for US Consumer

  • Cathie Wood's Ark Invest has destroyed $14 billion in wealth over the past decade, Morningstar says

    "These funds managed to lose value for shareholders even during a generally bullish market," Morningstar analyst Amy Arnott said.

  • I’m a Financial Advisor: Here’s How Often You Should Check Your Retirement Account Balance

    The best investor is one who's informed, but obsessing over your retirement fund's performance can stress you out and trigger the kind of emotional and counterproductive decision-making that can...

  • Don’t Ignore These 2 Dividend-Growth Stocks With 7% Yields

    These top dividend-growth stocks now offer great yields. The post Don’t Ignore These 2 Dividend-Growth Stocks With 7% Yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

  • 3 AI Stocks That Have Turned $25,000 Into $1 Million in 15 Years

    The Great Recession ended 15 years ago. Buying these stocks back then would have been a brilliant move. The post 3 AI Stocks That Have Turned $25,000 Into $1 Million in 15 Years appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

  • Nvidia Stock Breaks Losing Streak. What’s Worrying the Market.

    The launch of Nvidia's Blackwell chips will test the ability of its suppliers and customers to deal with the infrastructure challenges associated with even more powerful chips.

  • Top Three Dividend Stocks For July 2024

    As global markets navigate through a period of subtle shifts and key economic updates, investors are closely monitoring the landscape for opportunities that align with both growth and stability. In this context, dividend stocks often come into focus as they can offer potential income alongside capital appreciation, making them appealing during times of market uncertainty and economic recalibration.

  • 5 Best Index Funds To Own for Life, According To TikToker Humphrey Yang

    Financial guru and TikToker Humphrey Yang recently shared in a YouTube video a few index funds you can invest in which will help grow your wealth over time.

  • These Great TSX Dividend Stocks Now Offer Amazing Yields

    Top TSX dividend stocks are on sale. The post These Great TSX Dividend Stocks Now Offer Amazing Yields appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

  • Struggling with falling demand for farm equipment, Deere & Co. announces nearly 600 layoffs

    Deere & Co. is laying off nearly 600 workers as the farm equipment manufacturer deals with declining demand. Deere confirmed Monday that the production positions being cut are concentrated at two factories in Iowa and one at its home base in Moline, Illinois, where 280 employees will be laid off effective Aug. 30. A combined 310 workers will be let go at the Iowa locations.

  • Nvidia is the best way to play AI for the 'next 10 years'

    Nvidia (NVDA) shares are falling back today following the chipmaker's recent market high. Rosenblatt Securities senior research analyst Hans Mosesmann joins Market Domination to explain why he is not worried about the stock's bumpy previous weeks. Mosesmann has issued the highest price target for Nvidia on Wall Street. Mosesmann has a long-term view, explaining that the sale pressure is negligible when one considers that Nvidia is going to be the "best way to play AI for the next 10 years." He adds that Nvidia is not just a semiconductor company anymore but a platform that is "all things AI." For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Market Domination. This article was written by Gabriel Roy

  • Aecon Group stock falls 18%; analyst warns of 'cash flow drag' into 2025

    The long-delayed Coastal GasLink project has been subject to repeated cost overruns.

  • Roaring Kitty reveals stake in Chewy big enough to make him 3rd largest investor in the pet retailer

    Shares of Chewy fell Monday in volatile trading after a regulatory filing revealed that Roaring Kitty, an investor at the center of the meme stock craze, has taken a 6.6% stake in the online pet retailer. Roaring Kitty, whose legal name is Keith Gill, bought more than 9 million shares of Chewy last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission filing shows. Gill tipped his hand last week on his feelings about the company, posting a picture of a dog on social media platform X and sending Chewy's stock up more than 30% in intraday trading.

  • Tesla Beats Estimates With Less-Drastic Drop in EV Sales

    (Bloomberg) -- Tesla Inc.’s second consecutive drop in quarterly deliveries wasn’t as steep as analysts were predicting, sending the EV maker’s shares soaring as much as 10%.Most Read from BloombergDemocrats Weigh Mid-July Vote to Formally Tap Biden as NomineePowerful Storm Beryl Aims at Jamaica After Grenada StrikeS&P 500 Closes Above 5,500 in Record-Breaking Run: Markets Wrap‘Upflation’ Is the New Retail Trend Driving Up Prices for US ConsumersTrump Immunity Ruling Means Any Trial Before Elect

  • Those who invested in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM) five years ago are up 64%

    If you buy and hold a stock for many years, you'd hope to be making a profit. But more than that, you probably want to...

  • The world is sitting on a $91 trillion problem. ‘Hard choices’ are coming

    Governments owe an unprecedented $91 trillion, an amount almost equal to the size of the global economy and one that will ultimately exact a heavy toll on their populations.

  • S&P/TSX composite rises Tuesday on energy strength, U.S. markets also move higher

    TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose Tuesday near the end of the trading day, erasing earlier losses as energy and base metals helped offset weakness in telecom, while U.S. stock markets also climbed higher.

  • Hindenburg Made Just $4 Million From $153 Billion Adani Rout

    (Bloomberg) -- It was one of the most impactful short-seller reports ever: Hindenburg Research’s 2023 broadside against the Adani Group erased as much as $153 billion of market value.Most Read from BloombergDemocrats Weigh Mid-July Vote to Formally Tap Biden as NomineePowerful Hurricane Beryl Aims at Jamaica After Grenada StrikeTrump Immunity Ruling Means Any Trial Before Election Unlikely‘Upflation’ Is the New Retail Trend Driving Up Prices for US ConsumersBonds Get Respite Amid Powell’s Disinf

  • Why It Could Be a Cruel Summer for the Stock Market

    THE TRADER The stock market has been hitting new highs, but most stocks are struggling. Even news that would usually move them isn’t doing the trick, a sign that equities won’t be an exciting place to invest in a while.

  • History says stocks are looking bullish after a big first half of the year: Morning Brief

    Breaking down July's market history outlines bullish overall trends going forward for the second half of the year.