Scams Targeting Student Loan Borrowers Reported in Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Scam reports targeting student loan borrowers include people targeted in Wichita. The attempted scam involves a phone call from someone claiming to help loan recipients eligible for relief under the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan.

On Thursday, Eyewitness News investigated the scam call and shared advice on what you can do to avoid the scam.

In a call to a KWCH employee who paid off student loans years ago, the scammer, in a voicemail, claimed his target was “pre-qualified for the updated forgiveness program and a possible loan release”.

Ashley Garcia of Meritrust’s Fraud Division said that, as with any scam, the purpose of the call was to steal personal information. She said if you have any doubts about student loans, contact your loan company directly to check if the “help” offered is legitimate.

“If you get a call and they ask for personal information: usernames, passwords, your FSA, hang up,” Garcia said. “There is not a legitimate business or company that will ask you for this information.”

It’s important to note that the US Department of Education has yet to release details of the student loan forgiveness plan. What we do know is that you will have to ask for forgiveness. Neither the government nor any company will call at this point.

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