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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.
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David
April 18, 2024
studentaid.gov actually helps the scammers with this, since it's easy for them to verify if your email address is registered with studentaid.gov. The site should state that it's going to send a password reset IF the email is on file but provide no indication if the email is registered or not. This makes it harder for the scammer to determine the legitimacy of the email.
The email sends a PIN to unlock and access the account. Scammers will ask for the PIN (they start a password lost action), and if that's provided, gives them access to the studentaid.gov account. They tell you it's for verification that you are you, and don't tell you that they are going to log into your account as you.
Sending a PIN to the account probably isn't a good idea, since if you give that PIN to a scammer, they can get into your account. A password reset link would be better, since you would have to have access to the email, and that's not something you could give to a scammer.
Simple changes could help reduce the impact of this scam.
NG
April 18, 2024
The FSA ID has be renamed the "studentaid (dot) gov account" by the Department of Education, though most people are still calling it the FSA ID.
Sunday
April 18, 2024
This is very instructive and helpful. Thanks
BOBBIE FLYNN-WARD
April 22, 2024
WOW! COLLEGE STUDENTS REALLY NEED THIS INFORMATION! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING THESE SCAMS. THE ATTORNEY GENERALS IN EVERY STATE NEED TO CRACK DOEN ON THESE PUBLIC "SCAM ARTIST!" MANY BUSINESSES INCLUDING THE CAR DEALERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WOMEN, ESPECIALLY! WOMEN ARE EASY PREY!
Allison
May 17, 2024
Hi I got an email saying this but they added my address
Lisha
July 25, 2024
Anyone else get a call or speak to someone at American Financial Services? $950 to clear your entire loan balance?
Robin
July 31, 2024
In reply to Anyone else get a call or… by Lisha
I did. Stupid me, I already paid them al out 300 bucks. I'm calling my bank now
Joanna
August 28, 2024
Is this letter for fresh start legit? Saying I have until end of month to enroll