Photo: Getty Images
(Des Moines, IA) -- AARP Iowa is sharing tips on how not to get scammed while looking for student loan debt relief.
"With thousands of Iowans eligible for student debt relief, it is essential for borrowers to be alert for scams that could dupe them into sharing their personal information or money with fraudsters posing as legitimate government programs," said AARP Iowa State Director Brad Anderson.
He says debt relief applicants should know the following:
- Apply only at StudentAid.gov/DebtRelief. This is the only legitimate application site right now. Paper applications will be available later.
- Never pay to apply. Applying is free. Anyone who says you need to pay or guarantees approval or quicker forgiveness is a scammer.
- Know what information to share. The application will ask for your name, birth date, Social Security number, phone number, and address. But, when you apply online, you don’t have to upload or attach any documents. The application does not require you to share your FSA ID, bank account or credit card info.
- Carefully review email updates from Dept. of Education. Legitimate emails will only come from noreply@studentaid.gov, noreply@debtrelief.studentaid.gov, or ed.gov@public.govdelivery.com. Pay close attention to the sender address for emails about loan forgiveness and look for slight typos to avoid a scammer’s fake emails.
Anderson says Iowans who believe they've been scammed should contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network by calling 1-877-908-3360.