Quick Answer: The FTC is refunding $5.4 million to nearly 40,000 victims of student loan debt relief scams operated by Los Angeles-based companies that falsely claimed government affiliation. The defendants charged upfront fees up to $1,000 while providing no actual loan relief services under various company names including Alliance Document Preparation and Grads Aid.
The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $5.4 million to nearly 40,000 people who lost money to a student loan debt relief scam. The defendants behind the scam were required to turn over money under a 2018 settlement with the FTC.
The defendants’ Los Angeles-based companies used the following names: Alliance Document Preparation, LLC; EZ Doc Preps; Grads Aid; First Document Aid; SBS Capital Group, LLC; Grads United Discharge; SBB Holdings, LLC; Allied Doc Prep; Post Grad Services; United Legal Center, LLC; Post Grad Aid; Alumni Aid Assistance; United Legal Discharge; United Legal Center, Inc.; Grads Doc Prep, LLC; Academic Aid Center; Academic Protection; Academy Doc Prep; and Academic Discharge.
The FTC alleged that the defendants’ companies bilked millions from people trying to lower or eliminate their student loan debt. The defendants marketed on social media platforms, including Facebook.
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According to the FTC’s complaint, they misrepresented that they were affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or the loan servicers, and falsely claimed that consumers who paid an upfront fee of up to $1,000 were qualified or approved for permanently reduced monthly payments or loan forgiveness.
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In fact, the complaint alleged, the defendants had no affiliation with the U.S. Department of Education and operated a service that provided no relief.
As part of the settlement, the FTC is sending 39,734 checks, averaging $136.48, to people who lost money. The checks will expire after 60 days, as indicated on the check. The FTC urges people to cash them before they expire. The FTC never requires consumers to pay money or provide account information to cash a refund check. – Source
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