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student loan scams

This week’s money news

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This week’s top story: How to protect yourself from student loan scams as bills resume. In other news: Increased commuting costs, how Disney turned Halloween into a money-making machine, and 3 steps to booking holiday travel.

How to Protect Yourself From Student Loan Scams as Bills Resume
If you get a random text or call about your student loans, it’s likely a scam.

Commuter Snapshot: Most Workers Hit the Roads as Costs Increase
Lower relative wages make increased commuting costs tough to handle.

How Disney Turned Halloween Into a Money-Making Machine
With after-hours parties and seasonal treats, Disney has thoroughly capitalized on the spooky season.

Ask a Travel Nerd: 3 Steps to Booking Holiday Travel
Book in October and consider traveling on off days to avoid high prices and overwhelming crowds.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Smart ways to negotiate your salary in an uncertain economy. Also in the news: Student loan scams are on the rise, 5 things to consider when picking a college in the COVID-19 era, and how to claim retroactive unemployment benefits.

Smart Ways to Negotiate Your Salary in an Uncertain Economy
If you’re seeking a raise, it’s important to read the room and understand a few different strategies. Research and preparation are both key.

If a Stranger Offers You Student Loan Forgiveness, Hang Up
Biden student loan forgiveness and stimulus forgiveness scams are on the rise. Here’s how to protect yourself.

5 Things to Consider When Picking a College in the COVID-19 Era
When choosing a college, consider how it’s met the challenges of the pandemic.

How to Claim Retroactive Unemployment Benefits
The Department of Labor has expanded eligibility.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: The latest trends in home renovations and how to pay for them. Also in the news: 4 tips for starting or restarting a business in tough times, student loan forgiveness scams, and key 2021 financial deadlines to add to your calendar.

The latest trends in home renovations—and how to pay for them
Don’t worry, the open floor plan isn’t dead

4 Tips for Starting or Reinventing a Business in Tough Times
Entrepreneurs should adapt to market changes, fix problems that bother them and tweak existing strategies.

If a stranger offers you student loan forgiveness, hang up
Scammers are everywhere.

Add These Key 2021 Financial Deadlines to Your Calendar Now
Helpful reminders.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Get your finances ready to refi your student loans. Also in the news: Watching out for COVID-19 student loan relief scams, complaints against financial institutions rise during the pandemic, and a beginner’s guide to employee stock plans.

Get Your Finances Ready to Refi Student Loans
You probably shouldn’t refinance most student loans until after Sept. 30. But you can get ready right now.

Don’t fall for COVID-19 student loan relief scams
Scammers are still working during the pandemic.

In the Pandemic, Complaints Against Financial Institutions Rise
Complaints are up over 31%.

A Beginner’s Guide to Employee Stock Plans
important basics you should know.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Feds, 11 states crack down on student loan scams. Also in the news: Adding a loan to your shopping cart, 5 top benefits of a Roth IRA, and setting your holiday spending budget in October.

Feds, 11 States Crack Down on Student Loan Scams
Cracking down.

Should You Add a Loan to Your Shopping Cart?
A new option at the register.

5 Top Benefits of a Roth IRA
What you should know.

Get Christmas budget set for holiday spending in October
The holidays will be here before you know it.

Don’t pay for student loan help

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Customer Support liarI just got another recorded call from a woman who cheerfully told me that my student loans had been “flagged” to qualify for a new federal program, just approved by Congress, to help me pay my debt. The fact that I’ve never had a student loan is, surely, just a minor detail.

People fall for these scams all the time, paying good money to get help they could have found for free. Right now, there’s a free student loan hotline you can call to get your questions answered and find out about your options. It’s available today, tomorrow and Thursday from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. Eastern. Check it out at The Borrowers Hotline.

If you miss the hotline window, you can find answers to your questions at the U.S. Department of Education and at Student Loan Borrower Assistance, a site run by the National Consumer Law Center.