Reporter Adriene Hill of the public radio show Marketplace ran a story this month about unscrupulous companies that are tricking borrowers into paying upfront fees for student-loan debt-settlement services they don't provide, including a fake “Obama Forgiveness Program.”
Hill discovered that some of these companies are charging upwards of $1600 for debt consolidation services that are available free of charge from the government.
Take the time to listen to Payback time for student-loan scams? and take advantage of related tips and resources listed on the host web page. It will be a wise investment of your time.
Marketplace can be heard on 91.5 KJZZ, a community service of Rio Salado College.