Student Loan Scam Hits Porter Township Woman for $9,500

A Porter Township resident contacted the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office after discovering someone had used her personal information to take out $9,500 in student loans. Deputies took information for a report. Student loan identity theft can be especially nasty because victims may not notice it right away. The loan may not show up until a credit report is checked, a bill arrives, a debt collector calls, or the victim tries to apply for credit and discovers a mystery account. And unlike a stolen credit card, a fraudulent loan can create a much bigger mess. If someone has enough of your personal information to apply for a student loan, they may also have enough to open credit cards, take out other loans, file fake tax claims, or try to access bank accounts. The FTC and CFPB recommend that identity theft victims report the theft, check their credit reports, close or dispute fraudulent accounts, and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze. A credit freeze is free, does not hurt your credit score, and makes it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. A freeze must be placed with all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Freezing one does not automatically freeze the others. A fraud alert is different. With a fraud alert, lenders are supposed to take extra steps to verify your identity before opening new credit. The FTC says you only have to contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert, and that bureau must notify the other two. If you discover a loan or account you did not open, do not ignore it. Report it at IdentityTheft.gov, file a police report, contact the lender or loan servicer, and dispute the account with the credit bureaus. The CFPB says victims can ask credit reporting companies to block or remove fraudulent debts from their credit reports by submitting an identity theft report and supporting documents. People should also be careful with student loan “help” calls, texts, or emails. The CFPB warns that scammers often target borrowers by pretending they can help with repayment, consolidation, or forgiveness. For federal student loans, borrowers should use official government websites or official loan servicers, not random callers asking for personal information or payment. A few simple steps can reduce the risk: Freeze your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Check your credit reports regularly. Do not give your Social Security number to callers, texters, or email links. Use official websites for student loan information. Watch your mail and email for loan approvals, denial letters, or account notices you did not request. Open mail from lenders or government agencies, even if you think it does not apply to you. Report suspicious accounts immediately. Identity theft is not just a big-city problem or an online problem. As this Porter Township case shows, it can hit local residents for thousands of dollars before they even know a loan exists.

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