The Federal Trade Commission has accused two California-based companies of scamming student loan borrowers out of approximately $12 million, according to a complaint calling to “put an end” to the scheme.
The two companies, SL Finance LLC and BCO Consulting Services Inc. and SLA Consulting Services Inc., allegedly found individuals looking to pay down their student loans — many of whom were low-income borrowers — and tricked them into paying thousands in illegal upfront fees.
The victims were led to believe that they were in a legitimate repayment program and were told that their loans would be partially or entirely forgiven, according to the complaint. In actuality, the companies were “pocketing” the payments. The deceptive practice is thought to have occurred since “at least 2019.”
Additionally, the FTC says that the companies falsely claimed to be affiliated with the Department of Education.
“As Americans struggle with massive student loan debt and uncertainty around the prospect of forgiveness, scammers are looking to cash in,” Samuel Levine, director of FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.
After the FTC filed the complaint, a federal court temporarily ceased operations of both companies and froze their assets. In addition to a call to end the scheme, the FTC seeks to secure compensation for the victims.
Related: I’m a Business News Editor, and Even I Fell Victim to an Online Scam That Cost Me $300