You’re trying to get your finances back on track, and then a company calls, claiming they’re from the government.
They say they can erase your student loans or settle your debt for pennies.
It sounds like a dream… until it turns into a nightmare.
On April 4, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report that’s a wake-up call for anyone dealing with debt:
They’ve been fighting back against a surge of impersonation scams—and the scammers include companies pretending to be government agencies, debt relief pros, and even the FTC itself.
Let’s talk about what the FTC uncovered, who they exposed, and how you can protect yourself from getting tricked when you’re just trying to do the right thing.
🕵️♂️ What Did the FTC Announce?
This wasn’t about one single scam.
The FTC’s April 2025 update is a year-in-review of enforcement actions they’ve taken over the past 12 months to stop impersonation scams—especially those targeting financially vulnerable folks.
And yes, some of the worst offenders were running debt relief and student loan scams.
Here’s the headline:
“The FTC has taken action over the past year to protect consumers from a variety of illegal impersonation schemes.”
That includes companies that lied about who they were, pretended to be the government, and tricked people into handing over cash and personal info.
🧨 These Are the Companies the FTC Called Out
These weren’t random bad actors. These were organized operations that marketed themselves as legit businesses—while doing serious harm.
🧢 Click Profit
- Ran a deceptive e-commerce “biz op” that promised big returns.
- Targeted folks looking for side income or a way out of money stress.
- Instead of profits, consumers got stuck with expensive junk services.
🎓 Superior Servicing, LLC
- Pretended to offer student loan relief tied to federal programs.
- Took upfront fees (illegal!) for services they barely delivered.
- Misled people into thinking they were part of official forgiveness programs.
🎓 Panda Benefit Services, LLC
- Same scam, different name.
- Used robocalls and sales pitches to sell fake student loan help.
- Misused people’s trust in the Department of Education to cash in.
💀 Blackstone Legal
- Engaged in phantom debt collection—claiming people owed money they didn’t.
- Used fear, threats, and fake legal talk to scare people into paying.
- Targeted those already in financial distress.
🧠 What This Means for You
Let’s break this down in plain English.
Over the last year, these companies:
- Lied about being government-affiliated
- Pressured people into fast decisions with made-up deadlines
- Charged illegal upfront fees for fake or useless services
- Pretended to be law enforcement or federal agencies
- Built websites designed to mimic government sites
They weren’t just aggressive marketers.
They were professional impersonators, playing dress-up as “official help.”
⚠️ How to Spot a Scam Like This
If you get a call, email, or ad promising debt relief or student loan forgiveness, ask yourself:
- Are they pressuring you to act fast? Real help doesn’t come with a countdown clock.
- Do they ask for payment upfront? That’s illegal under FTC rules for debt relief.
- Do they claim to be part of the government? The Department of Education will not call you out of the blue.
- Are they charging you for access to “secret” programs? Federal programs are free to apply for.
And here’s a big one:
Does their website look suspiciously like a government page—but with a Gmail address or weird contact info? Run.
✅ Real Help Exists—Here’s Where to Start
Let’s replace panic with a plan. Here’s what you can do:
And while we’re at it—if this kind of story gives you knots in your stomach, please read How to Get Out of Debt Without Getting Scammed and What to Do if You Have Been.
I wrote it for people exactly like you.
💬 Final Word
This FTC update wasn’t just about the scams they stopped.
It’s a warning: These schemes are out there right now.
And they are really good at sounding official.
But you’re not helpless.
Now you know the signs.
You know where to get the real info.
And you’ve got someone in your corner (that’s me) watching your back. (Source)
