🎓 Scam Prevention
Student Loan Scams: Warning Signs and How to Protect Yourself
Short answer: Be suspicious of anyone who demands an upfront fee, guarantees forgiveness, asks for your FSA ID, or claims to be the government when they are not. You can apply for federal repayment plans yourself at StudentAid.gov for free. Report suspected fraud to the FTC or the CFPB.
Warning signs
- Upfront fees. Federal repayment plan applications are free. Charging a fee for paperwork you can do yourself is a red flag, and the FTC warns about advance fees for debt relief services.
- Guaranteed forgiveness or "special programs." No one can guarantee forgiveness. Eligibility is set by the program rules. See forgiveness eligibility.
- Requests for your FSA ID or passwords. Never share them. Anyone with your FSA ID can act as you.
- Government look-alikes. Logos, names or web addresses that imitate the Department of Education. Official federal student aid sites end in .gov.
- Pressure to act now, countdowns, or telling you to stop talking to your servicer.
- Consolidation sold as forgiveness. Consolidation is a different thing. See 2026 repayment plans.
What legitimate help looks like
Official help starts at StudentAid.gov and your loan servicer. Nonprofit housing and credit counselors may also help with budgeting. Helpful services explain costs clearly in writing, do not ask for your login, and do not promise results.
Checklist before you share information
- Is the website a .gov address if it claims to be official?
- Does anyone ask for money before doing work?
- Do they ask for your FSA ID, Social Security number or bank login?
- Are the costs, terms and who will contact you stated clearly?
- Can you do the same task for free through the government?
About our own form: The request form on this site asks only for contact details and general loan information. It never asks for your Social Security number, FSA ID, passwords or bank details. We are not part of any government agency, and outcomes are not guaranteed. Apply the same checklist to us.
If you think you were scammed
- Stop sending money and contact your bank or card issuer if you paid.
- Change your FSA ID password at StudentAid.gov if you shared it, and contact your servicer.
- Report to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Then get back on track with your real options in our repayment assistance guide and how to lower student loan payments. If you are behind, see default help.
Rules change. This guide was reviewed on October 21, 2026 against official sources. Federal student-loan programs, deadlines and court-driven changes can shift quickly, so confirm current details at StudentAid.gov before you act.
Frequently asked questions
Official sources and references
Related guides
Request Student Loan Assistance Information
Tell us a little about your student loans so we can understand your request and contact you about potentially relevant information. Eligibility and outcomes are not guaranteed.