Student Loan Scams and How to Avoid Them

Susan Kelly

Mar 03, 2022

There are moments when student loans seem like a rip-off. A settlement with 38 states and the District of Columbia was reached in January 2022 by the largest student loan provider, Navient, following allegations that it had created predatory student loan.


$1.7 billion in subprime private student loan debt owing by more than 66,000 students across the United States will be canceled. 1 Several states and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had filed cases against Navient (CFPB).


While the worst student loan businesses may appear, scammers, consumers may also experience student loan forgiveness schemes. To make it more difficult for borrowers to acquire the assistance they require, student loan scammers may use deceptive tactics such as making it more difficult to stop payments temporarily or get their loans out of default.



Scams and How To Avoid Them


According to Evans, the greatest method to avoid getting conned is vigilance. In light of the current political climate, she advised, people should be skeptical at all times.


If you receive a phone call or letter concerning student loan forgiveness, there are a few things you should be aware of. According to Evans, just because someone has information about your student loans, such as the overall balance, does not imply that they are from a legitimate organization.


Fraudsters have obtained credit records unlawfully and then used them, she claimed. The program's names you're being offered should be something like "Biden loan forgiveness," which Evans says does not exist, or "CARES Act debt forgiveness," which does.


What To Do If You've Been a Victim


You must take action promptly if you've been the victim of a scam and given out bank information. Call your bank and credit card company immediately if you provided a scammer with your credit card or bank account details.


Call your student loan servicer if you have given them information like your federal student aid ID so they can keep an eye on your account. Evans recommends checking your credit report to see any questionable transactions.


Student Loan Scam Indicators



Be wary if you see an ad for a company that claims to assist you in getting out of debt. Some organizations will just charge you a lot of money for things you can easily perform yourself, while others will steal your data.


Instant Student Loan Relief


If you pay a fee to get into a debt forgiveness program, a scammer may promise you quick student loan relief. Even though the federal government offers several loan forgiveness programs, none are available right away.


Working and paying for a specific field for several years (usually five to ten) is required before you may be considered. Before you can petition to have your student debts forgiven, you must work for a qualifying nonprofit or government agency for ten years and make qualifying payments.


Unfortunately, there is no such thing as private student loan forgiveness. Deferment or forbearance (depending on the lender) and student loans refinancing are other possibilities for assistance.


Wants Upfront Payment


Loan forgiveness, loan consolidation, interest rate reduction, and even finding scholarships and grants can all be offered by some companies for a price. Occasionally, businesses will ask for a fee beforehand.


The fact that a company charges you before they help you is a huge red flag. Paying an advance charge may result in no assistance and the loss of your money.


Ask For Your SSN or Other Private Data


It's not uncommon for businesses to call or contact you and demand that you provide personal information such as your Social Security number or Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to assist you.


However, it would help if you never shared this information with anyone outside your organization. With this scam, the theft of your identity and the opening of credit accounts in your name are both possible.


Pretend To Be a Government Agency


Some companies will use the emblems of the U.S. Department of Education or the Treasury Department to appear official. As a result of their partnership with the Department of Education, they may use official-sounding names and claim to supply these services.


However, none of these assertions are accurate. 'The Department of Education does not authorize anyone other than your existing loan servicer to handle federal student loans.


Utilize Strategies of High-Pressure Sale


When you take your time to make a selection, the more time you have to investigate whether the services they offer are genuine, you will be urged to make a quick decision and hand over your credit card information to crooks.


Say, for example, that interest rate or payment reductions or loan forgiveness programs will only be available for a limited period.


Want You To Sign a Power of Attorney Form


You may be asked to sign a third-party authorization form or power of attorney by your employer. Essentially, you're giving them permission to communicate with your federal loan servicer and make choices on your behalf if you do so.


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