Is 888-696-4002 a Scam? Here’s What You Need to Know

888-696-4002

If you’ve received a call, email, or text message from 888-696-4002 claiming to offer student loan forgiveness, you might be wondering: Is this legitimate? Based on reports, it’s highly likely that this could be a scam. Exercise caution and verify any offers independently before taking action.

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.This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not provide definitive conclusions about the legitimacy of any entity or individual.

Student loan forgiveness scams are incredibly common, especially with changes in loan policies and forgiveness programs. Scammers know that people are looking for ways to reduce or eliminate their student loans, and they use that to prey on emotions, financial stress, and even personal information. Let’s break down why you should be cautious about this number.

What Are People Saying?

Numerous people have reported suspicious interactions involving this phone number. The most common scenario is unsolicited emails or phone calls from individuals claiming to represent a “Student Loan Department” or using generic names like Lulu Miller, Ezekiel Hammes, or Lane O’Connell. These emails often promise loan forgiveness and encourage the recipient to call back for more details.

Here are some comments from people who’ve encountered this number:

Raphael (23 May 2024) received an email from “Lulu Miller” offering student loan forgiveness. His suspicion? It’s a scam. He warns others to be careful.
Matt (23 May 2024) got an email with accurate personal information, but the email came from a suspicious Hotmail address and included this phone number. He too flagged it as a scam.
Jean (23 May 2024) is 82 years old and received a student loan forgiveness email—despite having no student loans. This classic red flag pointed directly to a scam.
Mike (24 May 2024) also received an email from the “Student Loan Dept” using this number, and the email contained his old address and email, making it seem legitimate. However, he knew it was a scam.

Here’s a sample of the kind of email or voicemail people have received:

Sample Email:

Subject: Urgent: Your Student Loans Eligible for Forgiveness

Hello [Your Name],
This is to inform you that your student loans have been marked as eligible for forgiveness under the new 2024 guidelines. We’ve tried to contact you at your home address [correctly listed here] and have not heard back. Your case number is #48697, and your file will remain open in our system for only one more day.
Please call your dedicated eligibility line at: (888)-696-4002. Our office hours are 11am-8pm (EST) Monday-Friday.

Thank you so much, and we hope to hear from you soon,
[Name of Fake Representative]

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Sample Voicemail:

“Hi, this is a message for [Your Name]. I’m calling from the Student Loan Debt Department regarding your eligibility for student loan forgiveness under the new 2024 guidelines. Your file will remain open for only one more day, so it’s important that you call us back as soon as possible at 888-696-4002. Our office hours are 11am to 8pm Eastern. Thank you, and we look forward to assisting you.”

Why is 888-696-4002 a Red Flag?

There are several red flags when it comes to this number and the communications tied to it:

Unsolicited Contact: If you haven’t initiated contact with any student loan forgiveness program and you receive an unsolicited email or call, be suspicious. Scammers often use personal details like your name, address, or old email to create a sense of legitimacy.
Free Services Misrepresented: Remember, legitimate student loan forgiveness programs do not require payment. The U.S. Department of Education offers free assistance for managing student loans, including forgiveness, repayment plans, and consolidation. Scammers, like those associated with this number, often promise to expedite or guarantee forgiveness—but only if you pay a fee.
Urgency Tactics: Many of the emails reported mention a tight deadline (e.g., “your file will remain open for only one more day”). Scammers create urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly without thinking. Legitimate organizations don’t operate this way—they provide ample time and clear, official channels to contact them.
Suspicious Email Addresses: Many of the emails tied to this phone number come from unprofessional email addresses like Hotmail or Gmail accounts (e.g., [email protected], [email protected]). Real government agencies and loan servicers use official domains (e.g., “.gov” or “.edu”) and would not use free email services.
Errors and Lack of Professional Formatting: The emails linked to 888-696-4002 are often poorly formatted, with grammatical errors, awkward wording, and no clear business name. Scammers know that some people won’t notice these errors, but they’re telltale signs of fraud.

What to Do If You Get a Call or Email

Do Not Respond: If you receive any unsolicited communication about student loan forgiveness and it includes this number, do not call back. It’s best to avoid engaging with the scammer.
Verify Information with Official Sources: If you think you might qualify for loan forgiveness, go directly to Studentaid.gov or contact your loan servicer using the contact information provided on your loan statements.
Report the Scam: You can report phone numbers and email addresses tied to scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This helps others avoid falling victim.
Protect Your Personal Information: If you’ve already responded to one of these scams, change any passwords you may have shared and notify your bank or credit card company to stop any fraudulent transactions. You can also freeze your credit to prevent any further damage.

The Bottom Line

888-696-4002 is almost certainly associated with a student loan forgiveness scam. The emails and calls linked to this number share many common scam tactics—unsolicited contact, fake urgency, suspicious email addresses, and a lack of professionalism. Always verify information through official channels and be cautious of any unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true.

Stay vigilant, protect yourself, and spread the word.