Scams and Identity Theft

Watch out!  Many for-profit companies and online entities may offer to ‘help’ you fill out your FAFSA or apply for Scholarships.  Some of these offers imply that you must use their services, and some of them are outright scams. All of them will cost you money, and they may put you at risk for identity theft. 

Check out these web sites to protect yourself from scams and identity theft.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship/index.shtml

http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2007-2008/english/becareful.htm

http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/lsa.jsp

http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/scams.html

WARNING!

Blinn Students:

You may have received a mailing from College Financial Advisory regarding financial aid at Blinn College.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has notified Blinn College that College Financial Advisory is contacting Blinn students by mail posing as a data collection agency.

The letter stresses an upcoming filing deadline and includes a student aid profile form that asks for your birth date, phone number, and other personal information including your signature.  It also asks for a $59 processing fee payable by check or money order. 

BLINN COLLEGE DID NOT SEND THE SOLICITATION. 

If you receive such mailing, please contact:

State of Texas Office of the Attorney General
Consumer Protection Division
P.O. Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
www.oag.state.tx.us/forms/cpd/form.php

Page Last Updated: October 27, 2009