CONSUMER ALERT: As the Pause on Federal Student Loans Ends, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Offers Tips for Borrowers to Avoid Scams

Student Loan Borrowers are Reminded to Only Use Trusted Government Websites and Not Respond to Unsolicited Offers of Student Loan Relief or Assistance

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics 

Secretary Rodriguez: “To protect yourself from falling victim to a scam, I urge all New Yorkers to read our tips, stay up-to-date with trusted information and remain vigilant throughout the entire student loan repayment process.” 

For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing tips to help federal student loan borrowers avoid scams. As federal student loan borrowers are set to resume payments this coming October after a three and a half year-long pause, this may cause confusion about the repayment process and make borrowers vulnerable to potential scams. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.

“As federal student loan borrowers resume making payments, potential scammers will be looking to take advantage of borrowers who may be confused about the process or looking for relief," said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “To protect yourself from falling victim to a scam, I urge all New Yorkers to read these tips, stay up-to-date with trusted information and remain vigilant throughout the entire student loan repayment process.”

“The return to repayment will involve additional planning for many New Yorkers who’ve been able to build their financial well-being during the payment pause” said DFS Superintendent Harris. “DFS is committed to ensuring student loan servicers provide accurate and timely information to student loan borrowers, and borrowers are empowered to avoid scams and are in the best position to take advantage of new loan programs.”

What You Need to Know to Avoid Student Loan Forgiveness Scams:

• Don't trust any person or program that promises you special access or guaranteed eligibility. You might be contacted by a scammer saying they will help you get your loan cancelled or reduced for a fee. You will never need to pay for advice or help with your federal student loans or any deferment or income-based plans. All federal student loan borrowers can enroll directly and stay updated at no cost by contacting the U.S. Department of Education directly at StudentAid.gov. If you’re contacted unexpectedly with any of these offers, it's a scam. 

• Be wary of scammers that make false claims or say you have an incomplete application. If you have any questions about your application status, go directly to the U.S. Government federal student loan portal to access your account and confirm any details. To access the portal, go to StudentAid.gov.

• Stay updated with trusted information and sources.The U.S. Department of Education webpage provides borrowers with accurate and the most up-to-date information about the program. They also recommend logging in to your StudentAid.gov account to ensure your contact information is up to date and to sign up for alerts for when new information becomes available.

• Protect yourself from phishing scams. If you didn’t initiate the communication, don’t share your personal information. Keep your personal information, including your Federal Student Aid ID and social security number private. The U.S. Department of Education will never call or text you with a request of confidential information. Make sure you work only with the U.S. Department of Education and never reveal your personal information or account password to anyone. Genuine emails to borrowers will only come from noreply@studentaid.gov; noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov and ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com.

• If you encounter a scam, report it.Contact the official Federal Student Aid website to file a complaint, or contact the Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. Department of Education offers additional tips and resources here. You can also contact your loan servicing company or the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243. 

• Don’t forget to regularly monitor your credit report and score. As you begin the repayment process, stay one step ahead and make it a routine to check on your credit report and look for inconsistencies. Visit annualreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228 to get your free reports.

• Looking for help navigating your student loans? EDCAP (Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program) is an independent, New York State funded, nonprofit program of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) that helps New Yorkers navigate the student loan system. They offer free, one-on-one counseling with their student loan experts. To schedule an appointment call (888) 614-5004 or email them at edcap@cssny.org for more information.

About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers on product safety, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

For more consumer protection tips, follow the Division on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.