Debt relief scams are nothing new, but now borrowers struggling to pay back their student loans are being targeted. Those with student loan debt should be especially wary of offers that sound too good to be true.
A recent video published on YouTube by the Department of Education, discusses the risks associated with these scams and warns borrowers about these so-called debt-relief companies.
These student loan debt relief scams target borrowers with mailings, search engine ads- even social media ads that appear to be affiliated with the Department of Education. Through deceptive marketing practices, these companies claim to offer borrowers the opportunity to get them out of default, consolidate their loans and lower their monthly payments for a fee. It is important that borrowers know, these same services are offered by the Department of Education — for free.
In the video, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan explains, “Many of these debt relief companies are charging exorbitant fees for these services. Please remember if they’re saying they can cancel your loans or reduce your loans but only for a cost, that is never the case. You can always work directly with us and that should always be free.”
Millions of student loan borrowers are in default and struggling to stay current on their payments. These individuals are especially vulnerable. Members of the Financial Protection Bureau have argued that servicers who manage repayment for federal student loans, have allowed these debt relief scam companies leverage because borrowers are uninformed about the free government programs that make payments more manageable.
According to a report earlier this year by MarketWatch, desperate borrowers are lured into signing up for these debt-relief scams despite the exorbitant fees. In an effort to prevent borrowers from signing up with these companies, Department officials are publicizing Duncan’s video on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The Department is also working with servicers to ensure that they are providing borrowers with enough information to make informed decisions about their loans.
For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
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