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NOTE: On June 30, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the one-time student loan debt relief program is blocked. Visit StudentAid.gov for the latest information.

If you have a federal student loan, you probably already know that the Coronavirus emergency relief program that has paused your payments is ending. Scammers know it, too, and are looking for ways to take advantage: they’re calling, texting, and e-mailing to try to use any confusion around restarting your student loan payments to steal your money and personal information.

Check out what some of these scam calls sound like.

If you get a call, text, e-mail, or message on social media from someone about your federal student loan, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Never pay an upfront fee. It’s illegal for companies to charge you before they help you. If you pay up front to reduce or get rid of your student loan debt, you might not get any help — or your money back. Also, remember that there’s nothing a company can do for you that you can’t do yourself for free. And you never have to pay to get help from the Department of Education.
  • Never give out your Federal Student Aid ID, your Social Security number, or other personal information to anyone who contacts you. Scammers posing as student loan servicers can use this information to log into your account, change your contact information, and even divert your payments to them. Instead of giving out your FSA ID, call or contact your servicer.
  • Don’t sign up for quick loan forgiveness. Scammers might say they can get rid of your loans before they know the details of your situation. Or they might promise a loan forgiveness program — that most people won’t qualify for. They might even say they’ll wipe out your loans by disputing them. But they can’t.
  • Scammers use fake seals and logos to lure people in. They promise special access to repayment plans, new federal loan consolidations, or loan forgiveness programs. It’s a lie. If you have federal loans, go to the Department of Education directly at StudentAid.gov.

If a scammer contacts you, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Updated June 30, 2023 to reflect new information. 

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Bunny
December 15, 2021
I have to check with department of Ed, but I have not had a student loan in more than 10 years. Thank you for any information you get on scams
Pokey
December 16, 2021
I get these EVERY DAY along with 14 other robocallers with scams! OUTRAGEOUS they start at 5AM~ IM SO SICK OF THESE CALLS. WHY cant the FCC/FTC do SOMETHING about these harassing calls? Its starting to effect the mental health of our NATION! IT MUST STOP or Give us SOMETHING so we can STOP THEM! ESP LAND LINES~
AJ
December 28, 2021
Received phone call that went directly to voice mail stating the my student loan (which I do not have!) forgiveness application is incomplete and to call 833---,---- to speak to a counselor and to "complete" the form (obviously, looking for personal information!).
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