Scams Hidden in Student Loan Relief Ads on Google Searches

    According to a watchdog group, users searching for information on Google about student loan repayment waivers leads to advertisements that either violate policies on the content or lead to scams, forcing the Biden administration to think about taking action on students’ debt.




    More into it

    Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit whose research arm, the Tech Transparency Project (TTP), reviewed top searches on student loan forgiveness of student debt cancel and Google’s ads on the related topic. TTP reviewed 242 ads, of which 29 violated Google policies or displaced characteristics of a scam.

    TTP discovered that the Ads shown on Google for services asked for questionable fees behaved like government agencies, and asked for personal data from users without giving clear reasons.

    A spokesperson from Google said that the company strictly forbade the advertisers from suggesting that they were affiliated with the government. They also had strict rules about financial services ads, including a ban on those who failed to disclose their fees.

    TTP said these advertisements cause worry as people are conducting more searches in times of increased interest in student loan relief.

    Since March 2020, the federal student loan repayment has been suspended, with Biden Administration extending the moratorium till August 31. The repayment breaks have relieved borrowers but also increased their anxiety about future obligations. In the US, 45 million people own nearly $1.7 trillion debt in student loans, according to a Washington-based nonprofit- Student Borrower Protection Centre.

    Ben Kaufman, the research and investigation director at Student Borrower Protection Centre says that the third-party service providers manage federal student loans. Their poor service and the government’s lack of clarity about future student loan relief have made these borrowers vulnerable to scams.

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 2015 had urged Facebook, Yahoo, Microsoft, and Google not to allow suspicious ads to appear on their platform related to students’ loans. The FTC, along with the district of Columbia and 11 other states, made efforts to combat scams linked to student loan relief.

    Michelle Gregales, attorney at FTC financial practices division, says this enforcement remains in focus. She said that scammers read the news too and follow trends that allow them to pitch accordingly to consumers.

    The TTP project has pointed out in its report about a handful of ads that came in Google search results. A case in point was the Modify Student loans which encouraged visitors to enroll in the student loan forgiveness program at $39 monthly fees. The FTC states that charging borrowers before providing assistance was unlawful.

    On another page of its website, the Modify Student loans indicated that they would collect user information from their tax returns which were not allowed under Google policy to collect personal data without specifying the purpose.



    RELATED ARTICLES

    When was Studio Ghibli founded

    When Was Studio Ghibli Founded: Japan’s Iconic Animation Legacy

    Studio Ghibli is a popular Japanese animation studio, known by many for its stunning movies,...
    US-Ukraine talks

    US-Ukraine Talks: Zelensky Seeks Meaningful Outcomes Amid War

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes the subsequent talks between Ukraine and the United States will...
    OTT platforms

    OTT Platforms: Reviving Local Languages, Culture, and Heritage in India

    OTT systems have revolutionized content material intake in India, presenting audiences with admission to numerous...
    mental health

    Mental Health Awareness In India: Breaking The Stigma In 2025

    One of the aspects of our overall well-being is mental health, and it should not...
    women safety in India

    Women Safety in India: Key policy changes and ongoing challenges

    For an extended period, Indian society has maintained women's safety as both domestic and international...
    New Education Policy 2024

    New Education Policy 2024: Learning is Being Transformed

    Education in India has long been dependent on traditional methodologies that emphasize rote learning and...
    How To Find the Best FD Interest Rate for Senior Citizens Using an FD Interest Calculator

    How To Find the Best FD Interest Rate for Senior Citizens Using an FD Interest Calculator

    FDs are one of the most preferred investment products for senior citizens as they offer...
    What is a Yoga Swing

    What is a Yoga Swing?

    A yoga swing is a fabric hammock or collection of straps that hold your body...
    healthy habits

    Healthy Habits For Your 20s: A Handbook for Long-Term Health

    Your 20s are a transformative decade, shaping your destiny, health, career, relationships, and overall well-being...
    how to make Studio Ghibli-style images

    How to Make Studio Ghibli-Style Images for Free: Learn Here 

    Studio Ghibli’s signature artwork fashion—lush backgrounds, whimsical characters, and problematic information—has captivated audiences for many...
    well health organic best ways to remove dark spots on face

    Well Health Organic Best Ways to Remove Dark Spots on Face: Natural Ways to Banish Dark Spots

    Well health organic best ways to remove dark spots on face"—that's what when you typed...