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Having trouble paying your student loan debt? You might get an offer that says you can reduce your monthly payment, or even reduce your overall debt. The offer might look like it comes from the government…and they might tell you that, first, you have to pay a fee. But it’s illegal for a company to ask you to pay a fee up front before they get you the promised relief. And it’s illegal for them to pretend to be from the government.

Because of the pandemic, people with federal student loans have some protections until December 31, 2020. People with student loans can also take steps to handle their student loan debt. Start by learning to spot the scams:

/sites/www.consumer.ftc.gov/files/video-0158_studentloandebtreliefscams_640x360_play.jpg

Then, read more about managing your debt.

Have you spotted a scam? Report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. And be sure to keep up to date on what the FTC is doing by signing up to get Consumer Alerts.

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Student Loan and Education Scams

128 Comments

David_LA11
March 25, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

Yes, that is what I received. I don't owe or want any student loans. Leave me alone.
LLLGGG
April 07, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I got the same EXACT voice mail just now (4/7/21) with the callback number of 501-274-0454 but the caller ID number of 14694216279 and listed as Allen Texas.
addressed and…
April 08, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I just got this same voicemail from a Megan with this number 501-274-0454!
phez
April 08, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I got that exact same voicemail. Sounds real but then clearly it's pre recorded if we are all getting it. I wish these losers would get a life and stop scamming people.
Abbyngrvr20
April 10, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I received the same exact car with the same exact message yesterday 4/9/2021 from a Newport, OR #. 541-819-8597.
Teddy
April 12, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I just got this exact voice-mail left, with this call back number: 501-274-0454. "Megan" asking to be called back.
hey nonny
April 12, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I received this exact scripted call from the same 501 number a few days ago. They've been at this for months now, apparently.
Megan lol
April 26, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

Wow Megan really gets around lol
ghostcorgi
April 26, 2021

In reply to by stopthespampls

I also received a voicemail today from a real human (or recording of a real human) called Megan claiming to be Student Debt Relief and providing a number to call about loan forgiveness. She called from a Battle Ground (Vancouver), Washington number: 360-702-4090. I actually called the number she gave me: 501-274-0454 (Little Rock, Arkansas.) And it is total bogus with a fake menu that never connects to a real person (but does give the supposed option to be added to their "do not call" list, oddly.) I imagine they get most vulnerable information when "Megan" actually manages to get through. How gross.
TiredOfScamCalls
March 08, 2021
I’m not sure why “Student Loan Forgiveness” scammers are trying to scam someone who has never been to any type of university, college or etc outside of high school. Here is the phone number if you receive a call from these people smh! (208) 834-8935
DSK
March 15, 2021
623-888-6579 - called at 7am! "Hi this is Aria....student loan changes....blah, blah....call us at ### your reference number is ###. I don't have student loans - never have. SPAM, SPAM, SPAM. I don't feel the FTC is doing anything to make it painful enough for these jerks to stop calling us.
dawn
March 19, 2021
I AM SO TIRED OF THESE CALLS! I DO NOT HAVE A STUDENT LOAN. THERE NEEDS TO BE A WAY OF FINING THESE PEOPLE . THEY CALLED ON 380390-4042, AND LEFT A FOLLOW UP NUMBER OF 501-274-0454.
skeptical
March 26, 2021
Funny, "Megan" left a chipper and friendly message for me just now, too. Dear, sweet Megan. ")
Azschool
March 31, 2021

In reply to by skeptical

Just got another call from “Megan” calling from an Arizona number but requested calling back to 501-274-0454. The incoming number changes all of the time.
Mbowm923
April 01, 2021

In reply to by Azschool

I just received the same exact voicemail, same call back number, but the call came from 346-340-0117. Being someone who does have old student loans, these calls are hard to ignore, but thank God for Google searches!
blueshark
April 02, 2021

In reply to by Mbowm923

I just had the same thought! Got the same message lol
averagejoe
April 08, 2021

In reply to by Mbowm923

Same. Got a call from 573-621-1368 with the same call Megan back at 501-274-0454 message
Rossi
April 07, 2021

In reply to by Azschool

Just called 501-274-0454 and they're taking calls. Why are these people still in business?
Fake Programs
April 02, 2021
I received a call from an “unknown” number. Voicemail left: Hey this _⁠_ I would student help release my phone number is 855-575-0855 and I'm actually just reaching out to you because I received some great news back regarding your public student loan balances um we were able to actually get you the prequalification for the student loan forgiveness program although I do just need to speak to you um as soon as possible just before these programs change and then I'll see your qualifications can change along with that but just in case again my phone number is 855-575-0855 or you can go ahead and speak to me or anyone of the representatives were here all day Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific standard time and I do hope to hear from you soon and have a good day…” Similar wording, almost verbatim, to others.
stopthescams
April 20, 2021

In reply to by Fake Programs

i called this number back and after hearing a ring for 2 minutes, they hung up on me lol
Andrew in L.A.
April 06, 2021
I also just got a call from "Megan" saying she's calling with 'Student Loan Relief' and that I prequalified for the student loan forgiveness program early. I Google searched the phone number and this article came up. I am providing the full transcript below to help with search results further. And yes, the robot actually paused mid-sentence to repeat itself and clarify its name is Megan to make it sound more "real." Phone Number call from +1 (469) 421-6241: “Hi this is Megan I'm calling with hi this is Megan I'm calling with student loan relief um you can reach me at 501-274-0454 um I'm just actually reaching out to you regarding your federal student loan balance got some good news for you you've been prequalified for the student loan forgiveness program however it's just really important that we speak to you as soon as possible before these programs change so again I'm gonna give you my number is 501-274-0454 and I I hope to hear back from you soon and have a great day…”
Gibarity
April 09, 2021
Received a call and message from (318) 721-5496. Message stated: “um I'm just actually reaching out to you regarding your federal student loan balance got some good news for you you've been prequalified for the student loan forgiveness program however it's just really important that we speak to you as soon as possible before these programs change so again I'm gonna give you my number is 501-274-0454 and I I hope to hear back from you soon and have a great day.” I immediately knew it was a scam since I paid off my federal loans 10 years ago.
willowva
April 14, 2021

In reply to by NotThisTime

also receive this same call just a few minutes ago. any idea what's going on? it's a scam, right?
Ana
April 13, 2021
I received this phone call today as well.
Henry
April 15, 2021
I got one of these calls today with the following callback number: 501-274-0454
P
April 19, 2021
The robocalls come from different origin numbers. The caller id is either "private" or "unavailable" but my voicemail header captures the origin number. No company name is provided in the robocall . I have reported the origin numbers (which change), and call back number and reference number (which is consistent) to the FCC and FTC.
Glo
April 20, 2021
Just got a call 609-808-8480 for my student loan, which I've never had one. Megan I believe was her name and to call her at 501-274-0454 might be spam?
Jo
April 26, 2021

In reply to by Glo

Definitely a scam. Just got a call from Megan myself so yeah definitely a scam.
Retired Dude
April 20, 2021
Never been to college, got the same call from 501-274-0454. Well now by submitting this email, the FTC has my IP address to cross reference from (LOL)
Frank
April 21, 2021
I called it back 501 274 0454. and I talked with a person very nice, she wants me I give her my FAFSA password and user name I said forgot that .. she said fine find it and I call back in 30 minutes. Just I blocked the number
dixavier
April 26, 2021
I received this voicemail today: Hi this is Megan. I'm calling with student. Hi this is Megan I'm calling with student loan relief. You can reach me at 501-274-0454. I'm just actually reaching out to you regarding your federal student loan balance. Got some good news for you? You've been pre qualified for the student Loan Forgiveness program. However, it's just really important that we speak to you soon as possible before these programs change. So again, I'm going to give you my number. It's 512740454 Anna I hope to hear back from you soon and have a great day.
Nana_NoLoans
June 08, 2021
I have not had student loans for two decades yet I am being bombarded by a phone tree dialing me multiple times per day from different numbers. If I don't answer, they leave long voice messages saying I have to urgently call them back in order to qualify for loan forgiveness! Every time I block one number, they just use another robo number. UGH!!!!
Greg
June 08, 2021
I get about 15 calls a day from people trying to scan me on student loans repayment. They call me despite my number being on the federal do not call list. They call from new numbers each time. The most recent number is: 888-683-0325 and +1 (208) 738-9296.
Chris S.
June 15, 2021
I keep getting Student Loan Forgiveness Scam calls from Gonzalez, California (831) 290-6958. I never answer but I do listen to the messages. The agent, Mark always provides his 4 digit ID # 3077 and his telephone contact number (727) 295-4557 That phone prefix is associated with St Petersburg, Florida. First of all, legitimate companies do not have time and money to find borrowers in need. Consumers need to learn that free always comes with a fee. Do not make a deal unless it’s with the actual lender.
Perla P
August 12, 2021

In reply to by Chris S.

Thank you Chris for posting this on here. I did too receive the same message from Mark and he also gave his same 4 digit ID# 3077 and I have the same call back number 727-295-4557 I am so glad I look this up before calling him back. Much appreciated!
Breezy B.
August 13, 2021

In reply to by Chris S.

I was so glad when "Mark" left me a message to tell me that my Student Loan forgivness application was approved! Then I remembered, I didn't file one! LOL, wish these scammers would get a life.
HawaiiB
June 28, 2021
I didn’t get Megan but I got Natalie “Hey it's Natalie with student help release my phone number is 855-280-0025 I'm actually just giving you a call regarding your public student loans um I do have some great news back for you we were able to actually get you prequalified for the student loan forgiveness program um I do just need to speak to you as soon as possible though just before these programs change and then also the relief and deferment for Barents is about to expire if I don't want your qualifications to change along with that also but just in case again my phone number is 855-280-0025 and I'm here all week Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific standard time and you can go ahead and speak to me or anyone of the representative um but I do hope to hear from you soon and have a great day…”
Call from Stud…
July 01, 2021
Natalie from unknown/334-776-7003 but left message from a Natalie at 855-280-0025 stating she wishes to help me with my student loans.
Carly Sagan
July 07, 2021
I keep getting calls about partial or full student loan relief due to a new "Biden Care program" from 775-877-3308 telling me to call 844-877-0123 - they don't ask me to pay anything it just takes forever to even try calling back - what is going on with this?
Jacob
July 09, 2021
Just received this voicemail from 727-295-4557. Make it stop.
Arman
July 28, 2021
Got a call from 727-295-4557 for Debt Relief - FAKE
college student
July 29, 2021
College fund Scammer wants return call # to (727) 295-4557 mark with an agent #
college student
July 29, 2021
+1 (424) 297-4300 The originating # from “Mark”
Dave NL
August 02, 2021
My daughter received 2 calls on 8/2/2021 from 727-295-4557, from Mark "agent 3077" who said her application for loan forgiveness had been approved, call back right away. She never applied for load forgiveness.
rumply
August 06, 2021

In reply to by Dave NL

mark agent id 3077 contacted me as well 727-295-4557 its a scam never applied for any loan forgiveness
Scammy scam scam
August 08, 2021
Also received a call on 8/2/21 at 10am from 470-650-8156. The voicemail left by "Mark, agent ID 3077" stated my student loan forgiveness application was approved, asking me to call him back at 727-295-4557. I made no such application. Total scam.
Cami
August 16, 2021

In reply to by Scammy scam scam

I got the same call this morning from Mark but the the caller ID showed 917-583-5029.
Aryag94
August 09, 2021
They switch from Meghan to Mark now. Keeps leaving me a voicemail. Funny thing is that I blocked the number but I got another voicemail again but he was using a different number now. This is the number he asked me to call back 727-295-4557 . Number he used +1 (929) 412-0878.

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