Scam library
Student loan relief scams
Someone promises special access to loan forgiveness or lower payments in exchange for fees or account access.
What it looks like
Fictional example: Your student debt qualifies for immediate cancellation. Pay the $299 processing fee at example.com/loan-relief.
Fictional example: Your forgiveness slot expires today. Send your student aid password so our adviser can submit it.
How it works
A caller or message promises guaranteed forgiveness, special enrollment, or an urgent repayment fix. They charge for help available free through official channels or take your account credentials. Paying them does not mean your loan payments or application have been handled.
Warning signs
- Forgiveness is guaranteed before your circumstances are reviewed.
- They claim exclusive access to a government program.
- They request your student aid password.
- An upfront fee is required to unlock relief.
If you got one of these
- Open studentaid.gov yourself to identify your federal loan servicer.
- Contact your actual servicer about repayment or forgiveness options.
- Keep your account password and verification codes private.
- Confirm payment instructions with your servicer before changing where you send money.
If you already paid or shared something
- Ask your bank or card issuer to stop further charges and review recovery options.
- Change shared passwords and tell your loan servicer to check account and payment changes.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov; use identitytheft.gov if your identity information was misused.
Who gets targeted
People with student loans, including borrowers trying to understand repayment changes or financial hardship options.