I got a letter with this phone number saying they bought my student loan and I should send the payments to a new address. It looks really suspicous, and I think it might be a scam.

This is absolutely, 100% legitimate. I work for a large student loan company and can assure you that this is real. The Department of Education has taken over loans from various student loan lenders and is now servicing those loans. The loans they took over are part of a program called PUT that was designed to allow student loan companies to continue to fund loans to students. They may not haev taken over all of your loans as the only loans eligible for this program are Stafford, PLUS, and GradPLUS loans disbursed between May 1, 2007 and July 1 2010. I urge you to contact them regarding your loans asap.

My mother recieved a letter and a call from them stating that I used her as a reference and that I put her as a co-signer I never had a co-signer on my loan I filee for everything under Independent

When people are still sending payments for the "old" loan account, that company just forwards them onto the company servicing the "new" loan account which could cause you a huge headache anyways since it could take three times as long to reach them so you may end up getting past due notices, fees, negative credit reporting, or even be garnished.
Besides all that, why aren't any of you checking NSLDS.ed.gov? It gives you every detail you need about any financial aid (which includes loans-financial aid isn't just grants) you took out, where it's at, who it's with and how to contact them, as well as the status of your loans.
These aren't just bill collectors people. This is the federal government and they don't mess around.
If you can't pay your bill, ask to postpone your payments or lower them. BEFORE it's too late!

I got the message and I have never had any student loans!

Then why are people still paying on their loans if they have been bought out?? Why wouldn't they stop and start paying on the new loan??? THIS IS A SCAM!!

Yes, legit, I got one too!

Received 3-page letter with payment instructions (due by 12/14/09) but it said "This is not a bill" in three places.  Letter looks legit but is absolutely confusing.  I am doing auto withdrawal payments to Sallie Mae.  I've heard nothing from SM.

I got the same email and I got several letters in the mail as well.  Like everyone else, I was hesistant to enter my personal information on the website as it didn't look legit. Today I found this message on the Federal Student Aid website (it's .gov!) that seems to be legitimate and confirms ed-servicing.com as the correct site to use if your loan was repurchased via PUT method:

http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/061209CustomerServiceFFEL.html

Hopefully this helps!

just got this as well - couldn't find anything on snopes but I don't trust that it asks for your SSN?!?! I wouldn't sign up for it - could be a way for people to get your identity.

I know it's true that the department of education has taken over loans, i got stuff in the mail too. but I'm not sure that this email thing is true.  Don't you feel like the us government would have a more pretty, put together email ( i know it sounds stupid), and have a more legit end email other that ed-servicing? and maybe a .gov not .com...). from my experience and looking into things, anything that makes you type your FULL social security number is usually a scam. If you received paper copies, just call that number and ask what your next step should be.

I would not be so quick to trust it the web site that it gives you looks very fraudulent. I also received a letter from them however they do not have the correct amount.

It's correct. The Department of Education has purchased a bunch of loans because from various lenders/servicers of student loans. I would not ignore.

Legit?  I got a letter in the mail, too.  But i dont understand what this company is---i got all of my loans from sallie mae...

This is legit guys!  I called Citibank who was my initial student loan carrier and they confirmed.  I received a letter in the mail, not an email.

i got the same msg, i didnt go through with it because i think it is a scam.

I got an email from them, asking me to confirm my email address. When clicking on that link, it wanted me to confirm my personal information. I called FAFSA, but the customer service rep had I spoke to had never heard about an email such as that being sent out. And I sent an email to the Department of Education to inquire about the email.
Here is the body of the email I got:


Department of Education Student Loan Servicing, as the servicer of your student loan account(s), is sending you this message in an attempt to confirm the email address that was provided to us. Department of Education Student Loan Servicer utilizes e-billing and e-notification services, and by confirming your email address, you will be enrolled in these services.

To confirm your email address, just click the "Confirm Email" button to the right:


Complete this process!


If the button does not appear, or take you to a new page when clicked, please do the following:

1. Write down this confirmation code: *********1843
2. Type in or copy and paste this link into your Web browser
https://www.ed-servicing.com/ED/Jsp/general/emailConfirmation.jsp
3. Enter your new email address.
4. Enter your confirmation code.

Managing your Department of Education Student Loan Servicer serviced student loan account is easier than ever with our extensive range of services, all designed to add Web-based convenience in accessing loan account information, making payments, downloading forms, and more.

In order to utilize these tools, you will need to register for a User Name and Password. The process is fast, easy, and will allow you access to all of the features our site has to offer.

If you need additional help, contact Borrower Services Department.

Sincerely,

Department of Education Student Loan Servicing
800.508.1378