Report a student loan scam
Last updated September 19, 2026
The short answer
Report student loan relief scams to the Education Department OIG
Student loan scams sell something that is free. Debt relief companies promise forgiveness, guarantee immediate results, and ask for money up front. Nothing they offer needs paying for, and reporting goes to the Education Department's Inspector General.
What they handle
- Companies charging for federal student loan forgiveness
- Calls, texts and letters offering loan relief
- Anyone guaranteeing immediate results on your loans
- Requests for your FSA ID or login details
How to file a report
- 1
Report it to the OIG fraud hotline
The Department of Education's Office of Inspector General takes confidential reports of fraud, waste or abuse involving federal student aid.
- 2
Or use the Federal Student Aid feedback system
Suspicious activity can be reported through the FSA Feedback System as well.
- 3
Never pay for loan forgiveness
Federal loan programmes are free to apply for. A company asking for money up front for services it cannot provide is the scam.
- 4
Report it to the FTC and the CFPB
Federal Student Aid points to the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for financial aid fraud.
What you'll need
- The company name and how they contacted you
- What you were promised and what you paid
- Your loan servicer's name
What to expect
The OIG report feeds enforcement. If you handed over your FSA ID, change it, because that login can redirect your loans and your refunds.
Frequently asked questions
A company said it could get my loans forgiven faster for a fee. Possible?
No. Nothing a debt relief company does gets you a result you could not get free through your servicer. Guaranteed results and an up-front fee are both signs it is fake.
Company guide
Department of Education scams
Knowing which scam you were hit by makes the report better. This is how scams impersonating Department of Education actually work, what the company will never ask you for, and the warning signs to recognise next time.
Read the guide →