Signs a scammer might be targeting you:
- Contacts you out of the blue, claims there is an emergency, or tells you to keep it secret.
- Impersonates an official agency (such as the U.S. Department of Education) or a licensed attorney, using unfamiliar websites and toll-free numbers.
- Tells you to avoid making payments, contacting your servicer, or speaking to a non-profit counselor.
- Guarantees or promises positive results, including student loan forgiveness.
- Asks for personal financial information, such as your bank account and Social Security numbers.
- Charges you to apply for benefits that are already included in the promissory note of your federal student loan.
Steps to protect yourself:
- If you do not know who is reaching out to you, do not respond to calls, texts or emails, or click links.
- Double check the contact if you receive a call or email from your student loan servicing company.
- File a complaint with the Oregon Student Loan Ombuds if you are concerned about a potential scam.
Things to avoid:
- Paying money up front for help negotiating with your servicer, or with the promise of getting forgiveness. Only the U.S. Department of Education can offer forgiveness for Direct Student Loans.
- Sending your loan payments to anyone other than your servicer.
- Giving someone your financial or personal information before verifying if that person is licensed in Oregon.
Check a license