Tips for Those Indebted to Student Loans to Avoid Scams

As federal student loan borrowers are set to resume payments this coming October after a three and a half year-long pause, this may cause confusion about the repayment process and make borrowers vulnerable to potential scams.

What You Need to Know to Avoid Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

• Don’t trust any person or program that promises you special access or guaranteed eligibility. You might be contacted by a scammer saying they will help you get your loan cancelled or reduced for a fee. You will never need to pay for advice or help with your federal student loans or any deferment or income-based plans. All federal student loan borrowers can enroll directly and stay updated at no cost by contacting the U.S. Department of Education directly at StudentAid.gov. If you’re contacted unexpectedly with any of these offers, it’s a scam.

• Be wary of scammers that make false claims or say you have an incomplete application. If you have any questions about your application status, go directly to the U.S. Government federal student loan portal to access your account and confirm any details. To access the portal, go to StudentAid.gov.

• Stay updated with trusted information and sources.The U.S. Department of Education webpage provides borrowers with accurate and the most up-to-date information about the program. They also recommend logging in to your StudentAid.gov account to ensure your contact information is up to date and to sign up for alerts for when new information becomes available.

• Protect yourself from phishing scams. If you didn’t initiate the communication, don’t share your personal information. Keep your personal information, including your Federal Student Aid ID and social security number private. The U.S. Department of Education will never call or text you with a request of confidential information. Make sure you work only with the U.S. Department of Education and never reveal your personal information or account password to anyone. Genuine emails to borrowers will only come from noreply@studentaid.gov; noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov and ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com.

• If you encounter a scam, report it.Contact the official Federal Student Aid website to file a complaint, or contact the Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. Department of Education offers additional tips and resources here. You can also contact your loan servicing company or the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

• Don’t forget to regularly monitor your credit report and score. As you begin the repayment process, stay one step ahead and make it a routine to check on your credit report and look for inconsistencies. Visit annualreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to get your free reports.

• Looking for help navigating your student loans? EDCAP (Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program) is an independent, New York State funded, nonprofit program of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) that helps New Yorkers navigate the student loan system. They offer free, one-on-one counseling with their student loan experts. To schedule an appointment call (888) 614-5004 or email them at edcap@cssny.org for more information.