FROM THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TRADE & CONSUMER PROTECTION
As the result of an August 24th announcement, the pause on federal student loan repayment has been extended through December 31, 2022. Several changes have also been made to Department of Education policy, including debt forgiveness, income-driven repayment plans, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
In light of this announcement, student loan borrowers across Wisconsin and the U.S. are eager to secure the best possible deal on their repayment plan. Scammers know this and target student loan borrowers with appealing, but illegitimate, offers. These ‘student loan debt relief companies’ claim they can help borrowers achieve debt forgiveness or cancelation, reduce their monthly payments, consolidate loans, and more for a price. Consumers are advised that the offers these companies make can typically be done by borrowers themselves for free. Be wary of:
- Upfront fees or charges.
- Promises that sound too good to be true.
- High pressure sales tactics like “limited time offers.”
- Claims of a special relationship with the federal government or Department of Education.
- Requests for your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, or for you to sign a form granting third-party authorization or power of attorney.
Granting a scammer your FSA ID, third-party authorization, or power of attorney will allow them to access your account,…
