Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your Social Security number or Federal Student Aid (FSA) credentials without your permission to apply for financial aid, open accounts, or commit fraud. These activities can result in serious financial and legal consequences.

If you believe your identity has been used to fraudulently obtain financial aid, it is critical to act quickly.

What To Do If You Are a Victim

  1. File a police report with your local jurisdiction.
    • Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.
  2. File an Identity Theft/Financial Aid Fraud Grievance Form with CCSF.
    • Begin the process at CCSF to have the fraudulent activity reviewed.
    • Before submitting, be aware that the following documentation will be required at the time of submission:
      1. Unexpired Government Issued Photo ID
      2. Personal Typed Statement
      3. Jurisdictional police report, and any additional supporting documentation.
  3. Report Fraud to the U.S. Department of Education
    1. File a complaint with the Office of Inspector General (OIG)"
    2. The federal office investigates financial aid fraud and will coordinate with institutions.
  4. Contact Credit Bureaus
    • Equifax (1-800-685-1111)
    • Experian (1-888-397-3742)
    • TransUnion (1-888-909-8872)
    • They can place alerts on your credit file to help prevent further fraudulent activity.
  5. Notify Your Loan Servicer
    • If fraudulent loans were taken out in your name, contact your loan servicer immediately.
  6. Review Federal Resources

What Should I Do If I Receive a Form 1098-T?

If you receive a form 1098-T as a result of identity theft, you should first file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Once the institution has reviewed the documentation and confirmed the identity theft, the college may potentially submit a corrected Form 1098-T to remove any incorrectly reported qualified education expenses, grants, and scholarship information.

Identity theft can take many forms, including: 

  • Financial or bank fraud
  • Credit card fraud
  • Government document fraud
  • Phone or impersonation scams 

 

You can reduce your risk by taking the following precautions:

  • Only complete your FAFSA at the official site: FAFSA.gov
  • Never share your FSA ID or password with anyone
  • Avoid giving personal information unless you initiated the contact
  • Close your browser after completing financial aid applications
  • Contact your financial aid office directly if you have questions 

If you have concerns about financial aid fraud or identity theft, you may also contact:

  • Federal Student Aid Information Center: 1‑800‑4‑FED‑AID
  • U.S. Department of Education Ombudsman: 1‑877‑557‑2575
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Financial aid fraud occurs when someone uses false or stolen information to apply for or receive financial aid funds, including loans or grants, without authorization.

You may be a victim if:

  • You receive notifications about financial aid or loans you did not apply for
  • You are contacted about accounts you do not recognize
  • You cannot access your FAFSA account or FSA ID

You should act immediately by: 

If you are confirmed as a victim of identity theft, you may not be responsible for fraudulent loans. However, you must complete the proper reporting and documentation process.

To reduce your risk:

  • Only complete your FAFSA on the official website (FAFSA.gov)
  • Do not share your FSA ID or password with anyone
  • Avoid providing personal information unless you initiated the contact
  • Contact your Financial Aid Office if something seems suspicious