Two firms accused of offering false hope to student loan borrowers seeking lower monthly payments or other debt relief have been sued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency announced Thursday.
According to the bureau, both firms "tricked" consumers into paying upfront fees to access federal loan benefits, which in many cases were free.
A Florida-based company named College Education services reaped "millions of dollars in advance fees" while operating websites like CollegeDefaultedStudentLoan.com and HelpStudentLoanDefault.com, the bureau said, including promises like "Cut Your Student Loan Monthly Payment Up to 50% – Save Today!" Fees ranged from $195 to $2,500, and generally, were paid upfront, a violation of federal law. In a settlement, the sites' operators were banned from engaging in any debt relief business, and paid a civil penalty. The websites ceased operation last year.
In a separate case, the bureau sued a California firm operating with the name "Student Loan Processing," promising to help borrowers applying for Department of Education repayment programs. In a complaint filed Thursday in California federal court, the bureau seeks an injunction to halt operation of the firm's various websites, including StudentLoanProcessing.us, StudentLoanProcessing.org, and slpus.org. The bureau alleges that the firm uses logos that make it appear to be affiliated with the U.S. government, that it charges illegal advance fees, and charges consumers surprise monthly fees that can last years or even decades.
A spokesperson for Student Loan Processing told Credit.com that the company was not expecting action from the bureau: "SLP has cooperated with the CFPB investigators for more than a year, and we are surprised they are proceeding with this action. Without our help, most of our clients would not even be aware that the Department of Education student loan consolidation programs exist. … We stand by our services, and we look forward to our day in court."
The CFPB said it will work to halt any illegal activity by student loan programs like these.
"Student loans are already a significant debt for many Americans. College Education Services and Student Loan Processing.US added to that hardship by taking advantage of troubled borrowers and failing to describe their services honestly," said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. "When scam artists prey on student loan borrowers, we will take action to halt their illegal activity."
Other allegations against Student Loan Processing include:
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Claiming to be a "consultation service," Student Loan Processing.US implies to consumers that it is affiliated with the Department of Education. In an effort to deceive consumers into believing the firm was affiliated with the government, the firm stamps "Official Business" on its mail to consumers, and cites federal law prohibiting mail tampering to create the impression that the marketing material is sent or endorsed by the federal government.
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Charging consumers considerable upfront enrollment fees of either 1% of the consumer's federal student loan balance or $250, whichever is higher. The company requires payment of the entire fee before it even mails application materials to consumers.
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Advising consumers who may qualify for zero payments to pay $39 a month – without adequately explaining that the $39 is going to Student Loan Processing.US as a fee.