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Combatting Identity Theft and Financial Aid Fraud

Identity theft and fraud is a growing problem within higher education and Metro State University takes data integrity of student enrollment very seriously. If you suspect you have been the victim of identity theft, we have provided the following resources to proactively assist you with navigating the complexities of fraudulent enrollment.

Identity Theft and Financial Aid Fraud Checklist

  • 1. Secure your identity immediately
    • Change passwords for email accounts, bank accounts, student aid portals (like Federal Student Aid and FSA ID), and school portals
    • Enable 2-factor authentication on all accounts
    • Log out of all active sessions where possible
    • Check your email-forwarding rules (hackers sometimes add hidden ones)
  • 2. Verify your federal student aid records
    • Log into your account at Federal Student Aid
    • Review:
      • FAFSA applications submitted
      • Student loan history
      • Grants or aid disbursed
      • Schools listed on applications
    • Confirm your FSA ID email, phone, and address are correct
    • Federal Student Aid Information Center: 800.433.3243
    • If you see unknown applications or schools:
      • Note the dates
      • Save screenshots
  • 3. Report financial aid fraud
    • Report the issue to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General
    • Submit a complaint through:
      • OIG hotline: 800.MIS.USED (800.647.8733)
    • Online OIG fraud reporting form
    • Include:
      • Your name
      • SSN (last 4 digits only, unless requested)
      • Schools involved
      • Suspicious FAFSA submissions
  • 4. File an identity theft report
  • 5. File a police report
    • Contact your local police department
    • Provide:
      • FTC identity theft report
      • Evidence of fraudulent FAFSA or loans
    • Request a copy of the police report. This helps dispute loans and grants.
  • 6. Contact the schools involved
    • Call or email the financial aid office of any school listed on fraudulent FAFSA forms
    • The school will ask you to verify your identity with a driver’s license, state issued ID, or passport
    • Tell them:
      • You are a victim of identity theft
      • You did not apply for aid at their school
      • Request the aid application be flagged as fraudulent
    • You will need to provide a copy of your identity theft report and/or police report to the school
    • Request written confirmation the case was documented
  • 7. Check your credit reports
    • Get free credit reports from:
      • Equifax
      • Experian
      • TransUnion
    • Look for:
      • Student loans you didn’t open
      • New credit accounts
      • Address changes
  • 8. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze
    • Choose one:
      • Place a fraud alert with one credit bureau
        OR
      • Place a credit freeze with all three bureaus
    • This prevents new accounts from being opened
  • 9. Dispute fraudulent student loans
  • 10. Monitor for ongoing fraud
    • Set up free credit monitoring
    • Review bank accounts weekly
    • Check your student aid account monthly
  • 11. Preserve evidence
    • Keep a file with:
      • Fraudulent FAFSA confirmation numbers
      • Emails from schools
      • Credit reports
      • Identity theft report
      • Police report
      • Phone call logs