I believe I became enamored with the NSLDS

[FinanceFiona]

Hi guys,

I received the “final notice letter” from NSLDS, which is quite well-known. I had received texts from them previously but had ignored them. The final notice took me by surprise, and I initially believed it to be legitimate. Consequently, I called them, provided my details including references to two relatives (with addresses), my social security number, and driver’s license number. I was transferred to another person, but our call got disconnected while discussing our options.

Upon closer inspection of the letter and subsequent research, I discovered it was not legitimate. I’m now in a panic as my social security and driver’s license details are compromised. Should I contact FedLoan, my student loan servicer, or my bank? What steps should I take?

[Belinda]

I went through something like this last year. Here’s what you should do:

1. Fraud Alert: Contact one of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to put a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for anyone to open new accounts in your name.

2. Bank: Tell your bank what happened so they can watch for any strange activity and help with any unauthorized transactions.

3. Social Security: Contact the Social Security Administration to report the fraud. They can give you advice on what to do next.

4. Report Scam: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They can help guide you on how to protect yourself.

5. FedLoan: Let FedLoan know about the incident so they can keep an eye on your account.

6. Identity Theft Protection: Think about getting an identity theft protection service to help monitor your information and recover if needed.

It’s stressful, but these steps can help protect you.

[Lilnim]

Just got the same letter with “Final Notice” on it. Even though this is an old post, it’s still helping folks. Thanks so much for keeping it up.

[Claire]

@FinanceFiona

Hi guys,

I received the “final notice letter” from NSLDS, which is quite well-known. I had received texts from them previously but had ignored them. The final notice took me by surprise, and I initially believed it to be legitimate. Consequently, I called them, provided my details including references to two relatives (with addresses), my social security number, and driver’s license number. I was transferred to another person, but our call got disconnected while discussing our options.

Upon closer inspection of the letter and subsequent research, I discovered it was not legitimate. I’m now in a panic as my social security and driver’s license details are compromised. Should I contact FedLoan, my student loan servicer, or my bank? What steps should I take?

It’s important to remain calm and take immediate action to protect yourself.

Here are the steps you should take:

1. Verify the legitimacy of the letter: Contact NSLDS directly to confirm the authenticity of the letter. Use the official NSLDS website or contact information to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate representative.
2. Freeze your credit: If you believe your personal information may have been compromised, place a fraud alert on your credit report with all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This will make it more difficult for anyone to open new accounts in your name.
3. Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized activity. Report any suspicious transactions to your financial institutions immediately.
4. Change your passwords: Update the passwords for all of your online accounts, including your bank accounts, email, and social media. Use strong, unique passwords that are difficult to guess.
5. File a police report: If you believe you’ve been a victim of identity theft, file a police report. This will document the crime and help you take further steps to protect yourself.