Is 844-491-1974 a Scam? What You Need to Know About This Student Loan Email

If you’ve received an email claiming to be from the “Student-Loan Finance Help Center,” offering student loan forgiveness and asking you to call 844-491-1974, you might be wondering whether it’s legitimate or a scam.

Here’s what you need to know:

This information is based on reports from individuals who may have experienced or encountered potential scams. Scammers often use or imitate legitimate phone numbers from businesses and government agencies to deceive people. Always verify the legitimacy of any communication before taking action.

Key Details of the Email

• Sender: The email appears to come from someone named Mira Budrovich, but the email address is suspicious, using personal domains like Hotmail.
• Subject: The message claims your student loans are flagged for possible forgiveness under new guidelines.
• Urgency: It warns that your file will remain open for only one more day, encouraging you to call a specific number (844-491-1974) immediately.
• Toll-Free Number: The number provided (844-491-1974) is toll-free, but toll-free numbers are often used by scammers to create a sense of legitimacy.
• Vague Details: The email includes general terms about student loan forgiveness but lacks specifics about your actual loan, a red flag commonly seen in scams.

Why This is Likely a Scam

1. Unsolicited Contact: Receiving an unexpected email about loan forgiveness is a common scam tactic. Scammers often reach out without prior engagement, using scare tactics to push quick action.

2. Suspicious Email Address: The email uses an unprofessional address, such as Hotmail or other personal domains, rather than a professional one associated with legitimate student loan servicers (e.g., @studentaid.gov).

3. Urgency Tactics: Scammers frequently use urgency to pressure victims into acting without thinking. In this case, the email emphasizes that your file will only remain open for one more day.

4. Student Loan Forgiveness Hook: The promise of loan forgiveness is often used to lure victims into scams. Real federal loan forgiveness programs, like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), do not require you to act through third-party companies or pay fees for applying.

5. Upfront Contact Requests: The email asks you to call a number to determine eligibility. Legitimate student loan servicers will never use unsolicited emails or unknown numbers for such contact.

Reports from Other Recipients

Other users have reported receiving nearly identical emails, confirming that this is part of a larger student loan scam scheme. Some versions of the email even include opt-in marketing language at the bottom, which is a red flag for phishing attempts or lead generation scams. Several toll-free numbers associated with student loan scams have been identified, including 844-491-1974, 844-205-4551, and 833-282-5385.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify the Source: If you receive an email like this, do not call the number. Instead, contact your loan servicer directly using the official contact information on the Federal Student Aid website.

2. Know Your Rights: Federal loan servicers don’t charge fees for applying for forgiveness or switching repayment plans. Be wary of any company requesting payment for these services.

3. Report the Scam: Report any suspicious emails or phone calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), or your state’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).

4. Beware of Urgency: Scammers use pressure tactics to rush you into decisions. Always take your time to research and verify any financial offers.