800-201-7493

Received a folded letter from CCAP Debt Benefits and Savings, address 2000 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. #285 Washington, DC 2005 which offered to cut my debts in half. I was curious on HOW they knew about my debts in the first place.  Access to my credit cards information should be not allowed to just anyone, but apparently anyone can access this info.

Searching for this Name and the phone number 800-201-7493, brought up information from others who were also sent similar letters, and the result is that these are SCAMS.

The letter looks VERY official, with the year 2015 written on it, much like a letter from a government agency might have.  Warning of $2000 fine or imprisonment are included on the letter, for persons interfering with delivery of the letter.  VERY official looking.  Great Scam.

Another number from same CCAP that other people have received as phone numbers is 888-266-3682.

This needs to be stopped. Our debts are personal and should NOT be used for scams.  Access to our files, should not be allowed by just anyone and only by specific people, and so if this then happens, it would have to be by someone with access, which would narrow down the suspects doing this.

Again, just HOW did these people find out about MY debts?  That access, needs to be made confidential, and not allowed by anyone.  Maybe taking companies that issue out this information, to court, it might be stopped.

I did not participate in this, I did not call them, because I felt it was a scam.

I called to get off the list.  The man on the phone harassed me and told me I was in danger financially. When I asked to be transferred to a supervisor he said good luck with that and hung up. Called back and my phone# was blocked.

I just got one of these too. It looks exactly like something from the IRS. If that's not illegal, it should be...

I got the same letter,but the phone number is 888-255-7046.

Mine also has the 888-255-7046; they give you 3-4 days from time of receipt to respond hoping you will bite. Also, I agree How Are They getting My PERSONAL info!!!???

Received letter similar to Joe's from the "Student Loan Assistance Program" or SLAP, that offered to reduce my student debt.  Included was a fake check for half of my student loan balance.  Phone number to call was 888-428-8909;  return address was 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #285 Wash., DC.  Of course, I did not call.

I received the same mailing ...I also wondered how they got my loan information...yet and still, I called (888-428-8903) at 4am EST...someone picked up but it sound like they dropped the phone...then I heard clicking sounds on the line and a voice say "hold"...just "hold" than another click  then someone got on the phone announcing they were from the "Student Loans of America"...but the mailing showed it was from "Student Loan Assistance Program" or SLAP.... I did not respond I just hung up the phone.  I expressly did not call from my home or cell number because I did not want them to capture that information.  In addition, the address on the mailing is to the shops in Foggy Bottom...great hotels and restaurants in the area :)   However, be advised, I believe the mailing is a scam!

 We also received this in the mail (my wife actually received two in the same day).  One had the phone number of 800-607-3020, the other the number of 888-255-7046.  The rest of the information was essentially identical.
 Others have mentioned they didn't know how these scammers knew about their credit card dept.  Their are two easy answers.   Either they paid the money to one of the credit agencies to get the info, or else they are just mailing these to everybody on a list of names and addresses they got from somewhere.  My mother (who does not even have a credit card) has received numerous offers to help her with her credit card dept...

I get recorded calls all the time from Credit Card Services and similar companies. Today I received the letter above but the telephone number is: 1-855-619-2586
When these losers call me I press the speaker phone button and immediately disconnect. These losers need to be put out of business. Don't even call the number on the letter. Want to reduce your debt,stop charging and see if you can get your credit card to lower your interest rate or apply for a better card that will let you do a balance transfer for cheaper.

I received  the same letter today, but the phone number is 888-389-2550. My question is the same as the others, how did they access this information? Though I must say, the info they had was inaccurate. I did not call, but went first to the google machine. I saw in the search results that 800 notes had something posted for SLAP and so found the post from Joe (and the rest).

I was wondering if it was a scam too!  We went to Google and found this thread.  It is not okay for creditors to share our information. The number they gave us to call is 888-389-2550.  We will not be calling either.

I also received a SLAP letter with the phone number 888-389-2550. The signature (stamped, of course) on the fake check was Steven A. Smithe. I'm curious, too, how it can have printed "This is not an offer for debt settlement or bankruptcy services" on the document. Perhaps because they don't offer settlement on the full amount of debt? The seemingly false advertising seems to compound the illegality (or should be) of this shenanigan.

I just received a letter from Slap today. I wonder how they know I have student loan debt. This is crazy also had the fake check. The number to call is 888-389-2550. I want be calling, because Great Lakes is offering a loan forgiveness program to help with student loan debt.

I received the same letter yesterday. Very official looking but too good to be true. The address, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave is George Washington University. It's definitely a scam.

The number on mine is 888-389-2558

Same letter today same phony advertising, same address in DC.  Phone number was 888 389 2558.  Very official looking letter with a fake check offering to pay half my loans.  checked this site and figured it was a scam!

I got same official looking letter for student loan assistance & no. to call 888-389-2558 with attached check for half the balance (fake), I'm so sick of scammers everywhere!

Same as above except my number is 888-389-2552. I think each number is based on location. I'm in Georgia. I was wondering if this was real. My loan amount is even wrong. These people should be locked up for this!

Informational post:

http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/n ... take-the-bait1/

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865599510/ ... ncy.html?pg=all

9 ways to spot — and avoid — a shady student loan 'debt relief' agency

By Jan Miller

For the Deseret News

Published: Thursday, March 27 2014 10:59 p.m. MDT

Updated: Thursday, March 27 2014 10:59 p.m. MDT

Many young borrowers across the U.S. are facing feelings of desperation and confusion about their thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, of dollars in outstanding federal and private student loan debt.

In response to their vulnerability, a new student loan “debt relief” industry has sprung up, with dubious offers and credentials.

These agencies are promising help and relief for borrowers from their student debts; but with investigations running rampant for misleading advertising, improper fees and questionable contracts, these agencies are offering anything butrelief.

Consumer advocates are duly concerned, with both the Student Loan Protection Unit and Consumer Financial Protection Unit taking action to investigate and stop these agencies from causing more financial harm to young borrowers.

Though this topic has been covered throughout media channels, what many have failed to mention is that, with proper caution and awareness, borrowers and their families can successfully avoid falling prey to these unethical agencies.

Read on to learn nine tell-tale ways to spot and avoid a shady debt relief agency.

Red flag No. 1 — they require power of attorney.

It is not standard practice for a lender to require power of attorney in order for a borrower to take out a loan. In fact, a person should never be required to provide power of attorney for any loan unless there is a specific need for it, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Unethical debt relief agencies need power of attorney so they can complete a FedLoan Servicing application on an applicant’s behalf. First, they’ll ask a borrower for all of the information that the borrower would have to input on Fedloan Servicing’s website. Then they’ll fill out the application for the borrower, acting as the borrower.

Shady student loan debt relief agencies are charging hundreds of dollars and more for this simple maneuver.

There is only one place that every borrower — even those with great credit — can consolidate within the federal student loan consolidation program. This is through the U.S. Department of Education’s online consolidation application, Federal Direct Consolidation Loans (loanconsolidation.ed.gov).

Completing a consolidation application is something a borrower can do online anytime for free.

Red flag No. 2 — they try to convince borrowers it’s too difficult to do alone.

In truth, the FedLoan Servicing application is fairly straightforward. Plus, Fedloan Servicing has recently made improvements to make the application process quite intuitive and easier to complete.

The online application only takes about 20 to 30 minutes and can be filled out anytime. If borrowers have any questions on it, they can call FedLoan Servicing directly and receive help through the process.

Red flag No. 3 — they offer a year of no payments for the first year after consolidating — as a “unique” service.

When debt relief agencies offer this “special” benefit, in reality, there’s nothing unique about it. What they’re doing is putting a borrower’s loans in general forbearance, after their consolidation is complete. This is also something any borrower can also do online themselves for free, at FedLoan Servicing's website.

Red flag No. 4 — they offer consolidation — and only consolidation — as the one-size-fits-all solution to any student loan debt concern.

Most student loan debt relief agencies push consolidation as the single solution to any student loan debt issue. They conveniently neglect to inform a borrower that besides consolidating, there’s an abundant variety of repayment options that are readily available to them, even if they are a little past due on their federal student loan payments.

Obtaining more information about their repayment assistance possibilities is a matter of doing careful research and speaking with a trusted professional — one who has direct experience in the student loan industry.

Red flag No. 5 — they are pushy and use sales tactics.

Shady student loan debt relief customer service representatives are often pushy and in a rush to sell borrowers on consolidating their loans. They might even offer a “limited-time offer” in order to get borrowers to make an impulsive financial decision.

Keep in mind, the customer service agents at these companies are often well-trained sales representatives and have their bottom line, not a borrower’s financial benefit, in mind.

Red flag No. 6 — they are ambiguous and/or dishonest about their fees.

Many shady companies tell borrowers that the cost for their help will vary, depending on the level of legal work involved and the amount of the debt the borrower has. They may also claim that monthly fees are required, in addition to a lump sum that must be paid up front — all for a consolidation.

This is a big red flag that borrowers should steer clear of. Anytime an agency is dishonest or ambiguous about its “ongoing” fees is a big warning sign of that agency’s lack of integrity. (Source:http://www.nclc.org/issues/searching-for-relief.html )

Red flag No. 7 — they don’t educate borrowers on their options.

Unethical debt relief agency reps rarely take the time to educate a borrower on what consolidation really means, on the different types of consolidation and whether it’s really right for them at this time.

Consolidation has a number of benefits for the right candidate, but also a number of significant drawbacks for unideal candidates.

Red flag No. 8 — they hide behind a website.

Many borrowers are so desperate for assistance that they are willing to give their financial and personal data to a complete stranger on the telephone.

Most shady debt relief agencies hide their representatives' photos and direct phone numbers behind their websites for good reason. Instead of forming a person-to-person relationship with you, it benefits them to keep their anonymity behind red tape.

Red flag No. 9 — they have insufficient or no credentials.

Most borrowers do not think to ask a customer service representative for their credentials — and they really should.

Often, these reps are simply salesmen, not student loan experts. Sometimes, debt relief agencies will claim to have a financial planner or lawyer as their source of expertise, and/or a group of individuals who keep "up to date" on student loan matters.

In reality, the best candidate to guide you with your student loans is someone who has dealt with student loans directly and is completely open about professional background and experience.

Above all, the most important indicator borrowers have is their gut feeling. If any person a borrower speaks with does not take the time to help them feel at ease and more empowered about their financial decisions, he or she is not the ideal person to tackle any aspect of the borrower's student loan repayment.

Jan Miller is a student loan consultant and president of Miller Student Loan Consulting. He helps borrowers customize their repayment strategies to fit their budget, plans and life. EMAIL: info@student-loan-consultant.com

Any communication received by US mail which appears to be fraudulent should be taken down to your local post office so that the postal inspectors can take a look at it.  This could be mail fraud.