Student Financial Aid USA Took My Money, and didn't do ANYTHING on their end. Costa Mesa California
On 5.16.2017 I was contacted by Student Financial Aid USA because they said they could help me get my student loans forgiven. They said it was a government program, which is used to help students that were mislead by the school they went to. I was mislead by a school I attended, they made promises that ended up being lies. So when Student Financial Aid USA reached out, I was thrilled. Keith Andrew is the individual whom helped me get started with the process. They did say there were some fees associated with the program. I would have to pay them a $900 fee, with a small monthly, like an account maintenance fee. They would then file all the paper work needed with the Department of Education and Justice Department. I have all the emails and correspondence with this company.
They said the program would take 1-2 years to complete, but not to worry that they would file the claim and about 18-24 months I would receive a certificate in the mail telling me that my student loans had been forgiven. Well it's been a year. I have checked in with the department of education, no file or claim has been submitted. They have no record of me or my claim. Of course they still know how much I owe them, for my student loans. But no claim has been filed.
First I tried calling Student Financial Aid USA, no answer. I tried several different numbers and extensions that I could find through all the emails that I had filed away. Nothing. Ghost silence. Radio silence. I tried emailing, all emails are returned and "undeliverable". Their email address are dead and most numbers are not working.
I contacted my bank about all the charges the company had charged me for the services. They can't help me, because it is past their window, they are unable to file disputes on transactions over 90 days.
On June 1, 2017 I was charged $299.66. On August 31, 2017 I was charged $299.67. On September 1, 2017 I was charged $19.00. On October 30, 2017 I was charged $299.67. And the last charge was on November 3, 2017 for $19.00. All for a grand total of $937. Not a substantial amount for some, but to me and my family that's a big chunk of change.
I am out that money, with nothing to show for it. It would have been better off going to my actual student loans or other bills, maybe even things my kids need.
I was mislead by the school I attended, and now this company as well. There has to be something that can be done about it. And from some research online, I know I am not the only one. I wonder how much money they made from this scam and how many people that have hurt and affected in the process. This can’t be legal. Financial scam, fraud uses organizations like the department of education, can’t be okay. Also gaining information like social security numbers and FAFSA pins. I’m hoping the right person sees this and knows what to do or how to help. I also also hoping people will see this so they don’t make the same mistake I did.