President Joe Biden recently extended an emergency relief program for people with federal student loans through May 1 and scammers are looking for ways to take advantage of the situation.
Before Biden’s action, the program had been slated to end in January with repayments to begin in February. The Federal Trade Commission says scammers are trying to create confusion to steal money and personal information. They’re using emails, texts and phone calls urging people to act within 24 hours to apply for help.
The FTC says people should never give out their federal student aid ID or Social Security number because scammers can log into accounts, change information and even divert payments to them.
The U.S. Department of Education says some loan holders are being targeted with promises of a “pandemic grant” or “Biden loan forgiveness”. It says some scammers also use fake logos and seals to lure people in. You can report scammers to ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Loan holders never have to pay to get help from the Department of Education to lower monthly payments, or to postpone or consolidate loans. More information about federal loans can be found at studentaid.gov
