FTC order stops student loan debt scheme

The Federal Trade Commission reports that a temporary restraining order obtained by the Commission halted an operation that bilked consumers out of millions of dollars by pretending to be affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and falsely promising student loan debt relief. A complaint filed by the FTC against Arete Financial Group and several related companies alleged that the defendants used radio and television ads, as well as online ads and telemarketing calls in which they pretended to be affiliated with the Department of Education, to promise to enroll consumers in student loan forgiveness, consolidation, and repayment programs to reduce or eliminate their monthly payments and principal balances.