CT Attorney General: Don’t be fooled by student loan debt scams

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said Monday that he and the FCC’s Robocall Response Team are “warning consumers about a potential rise in student loan debt scam robocalls and robotexts” following the recent Supreme Court decision on student loan forgiveness.

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“This decision, which relates to the Department of Education’s student loan forgiveness program, is receiving a large amount of news coverage, which may likely result in scammers attempting to use the program as a pretext for misleading robocalls and texts,” Tong said in a statement.

The warning included that scam calls and texts “often use broadly publicized current events to add legitimacy and familiarity to their fraudulent schemes,” and that scammers “might use these calls or texts to pressure consumers to make a payment or provide private information.”

“The Supreme Court decision in Biden v. Nebraska abruptly yanked thousands of dollars in anticipated aid from the hands of Connecticut families. Given that terrible news, as well as the upcoming end in the pandemic pause on student loan repayments, many Connecticut families are understandably confused and concerned,” Tong said in the statement.

“Scammers are seeking to exploit this moment with a barrage of misleading robocalls and texts. Do not be fooled. The federal government will never pressure you for immediate payment over the phone or text message. If you receive a suspicious call, do not answer, do not respond, and report it to either my office or the FCC,” said Tong.

More shared by Tong’s office on potential student debt scams:

“The scam calls and texts may purport to offer some form of relief from student loan debt. Common scam campaigns purport to be from the ‘student loan forgiveness center’ or from a state “forgiveness center.”

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Other messages “reference a ‘settlement’ with the Department of Education that entitles the recipient to “fully discharge” their student loan obligations. Incoming communications may also fraudulently reflect seemingly legitimate caller ID information to convince consumers to respond. The FCC is working with attorneys general to combat such communications.”

Tong’s statement also noted that consumers should be aware that they are likely communicating with a scammer if:

•  “You are pressured to send money or give personal information.
•  The caller requests an upfront payment in order to apply or appeal your application.
•  You are directed to any website outside of StudentAid.gov.
•  You are requested to contact them via app-based message platforms.
•  The call or text message claims to be from a “student loan forgiveness center” or a state “forgiveness center.”
•  The call is made using a suspicious caller ID, such as a name that is inconsistent with the substance of the message, or the same area code and first three digits of your phone number.
•  The caller asks for your Federal Student Aid ID, bank account number, or credit card information.
•  The caller offers services in exchange for payment via gift cards (such as iTunes cards, Target or other retailer cards, etc.).
•  The caller asks for payment in cryptocurrency or via peer-to-peer apps.”

Tong’s statement also noted what to do if you received a possible scam robocall or robotext:

•  “Do not share any personal or financial information.
•  If you’re not sure, terminate the exchange and call the institution using their publicly available, legitimate phone number.
•  File a complaint with the FCC: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or with the Office of the Attorney General at CT Attorney General: e-Complaint Form.”