The Most Common Student Loan Scams [And How To Avoid Them]

Student loan scams are surging. Policy changes, repayment restarts, and nonstop headlines give fraudsters the perfect chance to trick borrowers. Every day, fake “debt relief” companies and government impersonators are stealing money - or worse, hijacking borrower accounts.

Before you get overwhelmed, remember three things:

1. You never have to pay to manage federal student loans. Enrollment in student loan repayment plans or loan forgiveness programs is always free at StudentAid.gov.
2. Never share your FSA ID. That login is your digital signature. Handing it over is like giving someone power of attorney on your finances.
3. Verify everything at the source. Ignore texts, ads, or calls. Log in at StudentAid.gov or call your loan servicer using the number listed in your secure dashboard.

This guide breaks down the most common scams, the red flags to watch for, and exactly what to do if you think you’ve been targeted.