Student Scammer Tries to Make Dean's List in Pepper Pike

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A 72-year-old Pepper Pike resident reported receiving a federal tax form for a student loan she never took out from the University of Phoenix. The resident has been fighting with the school and federal student loan organization, as the scam has impacted her credit score, though she has not lost any money. Police are investigating the incident as identity theft.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and financial fraud targeting unsuspecting individuals. While the victim in this case was not out any money, the impact on her credit score could have long-lasting consequences. It also raises questions about security measures at online universities and federal student aid programs to prevent such scams.

The details

The 72-year-old Pepper Pike resident reported receiving documentation from Central Research, Inc. (CRI), the official resource for federal student aid, indicating partial payments had been made on a student loan she never took out or authorized at the University of Phoenix. The resident has been fighting with the school and federal student loan organization to clear her name, as the scam has negatively impacted her credit score.

• On March 6, the resident reported the identity theft incident to the Pepper Pike police.
• The fraudulent student loan documentation from CRI was received by the resident prior to her reporting the incident.

What’s next

The Pepper Pike police are continuing to investigate the identity theft incident to determine the perpetrator and any potential impact on the victim's credit.