Student Loan Forgiveness Scam
FTC priority enforcement area. Scammers exploit real federal student loan forgiveness programs by creating fake deadlines, charging upfront fees, and collecting loan servicer login credentials. The Department of Education communicates only via studentaid.gov — never via unsolicited calls or texts.
Reports
FTC priority enforcement 2023-2025
First documented
2022
Last active
2026-03
⚠ This page documents a reported scam pattern for educational purposes. Sources are cited for all statistics and claims. ZeroScam is not affiliated with the FTC, FBI, or FCC.
What the scam says
Text or call: 'Your student loans qualify for immediate forgiveness under the new federal program. Act now — your application closes tonight.' Requests your FSA ID login, Social Security number, or upfront 'processing fee.' In some variants, scammers change your loan servicer contact information to intercept payments.
4 red flags
FTC has filed multiple enforcement actions against student loan scammers 2023-2025
The Department of Education only communicates via studentaid.gov — never unsolicited calls
No legitimate forgiveness program has a click-now-or-lose-it SMS or phone deadline
Never share your FSA ID — this gives scammers full control of your federal student loans
What to do
Check your real loan status only at studentaid.gov
Never share your FSA ID or login credentials with anyone who contacted you
Real federal forgiveness programs are free — never pay an upfront fee
Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — student loan scams are a priority
Report this scam
Source
FTC consumer.ftc.gov — student loan scam alert; LifeLock/Norton 2024 citing (202) 221-7923 used for this scam
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/student-loan-scams ↗People also search for
Frequently asked questions
What is the Student Loan Forgiveness Scam?▼
FTC priority enforcement area. Scammers exploit real federal student loan forgiveness programs by creating fake deadlines, charging upfront fees, and collecting loan servicer login credentials. The Department of Education communicates only via studentaid.gov — never via unsolicited calls or texts.
How do I recognize a Student Loan Forgiveness Scam?▼
Red flags: FTC has filed multiple enforcement actions against student loan scammers 2023-2025; The Department of Education only communicates via studentaid.gov — never unsolicited calls; No legitimate forgiveness program has a click-now-or-lose-it SMS or phone deadline.
What should I do if I receive a Student Loan Forgiveness Scam?▼
Check your real loan status only at studentaid.gov Never share your FSA ID or login credentials with anyone who contacted you Real federal forgiveness programs are free — never pay an upfront fee
How common is the Student Loan Forgiveness Scam?▼
FTC priority enforcement 2023-2025. First documented: 2022. Source: FTC consumer.ftc.gov — student loan scam alert; LifeLock/Norton 2024 citing (202) 221-7923 used for this scam.
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Check your message →Source: FTC consumer.ftc.gov — student loan scam alert; LifeLock/Norton 2024 citing (202) 221-7923 used for this scam
First documented: 2022 · Last active: 2026-03
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