I also get calls from this number although I don't have student loans.  The web they gave me to visit was .com not .gov.  I will block them and report them.  I would doubt if it is legitimate.  If they are with student loans it is through a third party and the majority of these are scams

They are legitimate. They called me and asked for my SSN, I said I'd rather not give it over the phone, so they said no problem and just asked for my name and DOB. After giving this to them, they had my address, preferred phone number (not the one I was calling from), and email address. They were just calling to let me know I made a mistake in my automated student loan payments and that I had become delinquent. I checked their website and it turns out they were correct.

Be careful. Even if this number is legit scammers can always fake their Caller ID to show this number and fool the unsuspecting. Plenty of them *do* read this forum, so now they are aware of this number. In fact, judging by some of the other responses, I suspect scammers are spoofing this number already.

Actually this is legit. Call Direct Loan directly tell them you the phone number who called. They told me that is was an error and that there was a mistake that my loan was due. They corrected it and will not get the calls anymore.

they ask you for S.S.# and name and Adress. if you do not give them what they wants. then they keep calling you from a # that did not answer the message will tell you that is not working # . and you just tot a call from the same #.
If i can put my hand on those people they wil be sorry that they came to this world.

These idiots call my number every 1 1/2 hours - I have received the 6th one today.    Maybe they should find a real job and stop harrassing individuals - legit or not.   I have no kids or kids in school.   Why in the world would they be calling me.   Imagine that.   If they are indeed calling about a student loan, and I have no children, how well did my kids do and have they completed school and excelled in their areas.  Such fools they are.

Then they should ask for the account number...NOT the social security number, in order to verify the identity of the person. There should be some OTHER way to verify other than the social security #. I am EXTREMELY leery about giving out my SS# ...especially over the phone...and especially with all the identity theft in this country. I would NEVER give out my SS#....I dont care who they "claim" to be. How am -I- supposed to know they really are who THEY say they are. It could be ANYONE on the other end of that phone call.

Legit or not I would NEVER, EVER, give anyone my social security number...especially over the phone. You never know who you are talking to, or what they might do with that number. It could be a scammer who wants to steal your identity. I just got a call from them on my cell #. I wanna know how the hell they got my cell phone number when the only people that have it are family members.

Thank you... H

I had to go back to college to teach in my home town, I have just finished and I have just passed my test.. I have no money, but I am a Veteran and I am working to get my life together I need to be left to do that...
The number that is calling is 18008580981, I will be going to see a Veteran Rep this coming week, I am trying to get my teaching paperwork done... and I am hopeful for a teaching job next year..
Please stop these people from bothering me... Thank you, Holly

Student loans refers to the loans you get for college. You don't pay for homeschooling.

I keep getting calls from these people, and I'm not sure if this whole student loan thing applies to me, because I am homeschooled. I really don't know how they got my phone number, but it is REALLY annoying! I am not sure if I should just call them and ask who they are wanting to speak to. Any ideas?

Well, let's see. Websites for student loans with .com?

Check this out. This is the listing for all the Federal student loan servicers, with their various .com and .org websites. http://ifap.ed.gov/ifap/helpContactInformationDetailedList.jsp?lsc=2

The Direct Loan Servicing Center operates two numbers which lead to the same call center. 1-800-848-0979 is the number for general inquiries.  You'll be greeted by an interactive voice system which will allow you to have access to your account information.

The other number, 1-800-848-0979 is a "loan counseling" number.  If you call the number you're connected to a representative directly without navigating an interactive voice unit.  The purpose of this is to decrease hold time.  If you've received a call, we (I work there) are either looking for a good address because we received returned mail, your account is past due, or we've received your number either through outdated records or a credit bureau (Innovis, usually) gave us your number.

You don't need to give your SSN of course.  We just ask because most people who are delinquent on their student loan payments aren't holding their bills or don't know their account numbers and it's the quickest way to look you up.

I assume your just not very informed as all your so called flags are standards lol. The ss# is asked to confirm the loan is ours as there is a possibility that you got a new number someone else had use on the loan papaer work. Yes they call cell phones if thats what they have on the paperwork. They call my fiancee on her cell as thats what she gave at the time of the loan. So your flags one and two are not even close to being flags lol.Yes the people can get testy on there as they chase people for a living so that is beyond annoying but it is out of line for them to act that way. I am sure your complaint was tossed out as being from someone who just isn't educated in basic loan follow ups.

Any chance you havent had that same number your entire life? Possible your name is held by more then just you? This is a legit call and not spam. it is a collection call from Direct loans for a school loan but if you havent had your number your entire life and your name is not a unique name only you have they may be calling a last known number or looked up public listing for the name on the loan.You kinda make it seem like people should be proud of you since your a trust fund baby. most people don't have it handed to them and have to get loans from Direct Loan or other similar school loan companies and thier isno shame in getting school loans to educate yourself.

i am receiving calls from a 800 848 0981 phone number and they are asking me for my SS instead of asking me for the account # which is easier , sometimes i didn't answer the call and wait them to hang up and i calls back so when i call their is an automate system that says that i am calling to the  DOE student loans , so i don't know if this legitimate or not please help me because i am making payments and i don't want to get rob

Kept getting calls so called back.  I have five people inmy family who have had student loans.  WHen they asked for my social, I aksed who they wanted to speak to. The said "I didn't make the call, do not use that tone."  I wasn't using a tone but I do not give my social over the phone to someone who cannot even tell me who they want!  It is listed on one website as a collections number but they said they wanted to speak about student records, not a loan.  I have always gotten email or regualr mail communication. If they want me they better find a better way.  It also comes in as unavailable.

So I decided to call the number back.  SInce I have five people in my family who all have loans, and they did not identify who they wanted to speak to, when they asked for my social, I asked who they were calling in regard to.  The guy said "I didn't make the call. Don't use thjat tine."  What tone?  If they cannot tell me who they want to speak to they can go jump in a lake (much nicer than what I actually said).  The government identifies itself on caller id and never asks for your social.  Also, they use email and snail mail and do not talk about student records--they talk repayment.

TO CALL 8008480981 TO OBTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOU SCHOOL RECORDS

This is Direct Loan calling because you are behind in your federal student loan payments.

I got a call from this number and they just asked for my Social Security number, said they were from the student loan department.  Spoke with Brittany, she said this is not a scam.  I asked shy she would ask for a SS number and ask me to tell her what number I am calling from when 800 numbers have called ID's....

When I asked what this was in regards to she said my student loans, I explained I did not have a student load and asked why she was contacting me.  

Very Shady, who asks for a SS number without even telling you who they are and what they are calling about first.  Also sounded like a telemarketing center.  I asked for the location and she said that was irrelivent - and finally told me California...she was very rude.

Beware of giving any information to the folks at 1-800-848-0981 or logging into the www.myedaccount.com without understanding who these people are and if this is just a scam...  it is Acs - Manage My Account not the Direct Loans or the company that they sold the student loans to of moehla and if you notice the url they give is not a .gov but a .com... The company, Affiliated Computer Services, is a student load servicer and has an 'F' rating with the BBB.  There are also a number of class action suits in various states for their billing practices.

I got that call today and they said that it was an important information for me. They claimed to have been from the United States Department of Education. I am currently in school but I don't have anything outstanding so I believe that it may have been a scam.

THIS IS NOT A SCAM  AND COULD HELP YOU FROM BEING SCAMMED.  I returned this call today and the lady did ask for my social#  I told her I was not comfortable giving it and asked that she explain the reason for the call.  She did so and told me she could look up the info with the telephone number.  I gave it to her and then she said it was for an account for a Pamela Sweeney, I told her I did not know anyone with that name and gave her my name  (Initials A.D.)  She removed my number from that persons account.  This tells me someone probably got into my student records at college.  This person thought they were slick.  I know this because my moms initials are P.S. in fact her last name is Sweeney but her name is totally different from Pamela, however, my mom did co-sign on my student loan. So I guess they thought that if they used a name close enough they could be seen as on of her kids?  Anyway they fouled up when they put my number, I called my mom and she said she knows no one by the name of Pamela and she never been to college a day in her life and she has no loans at all.  So I was glad I called before they garnish my tax return as other are saying they can do.  I can't afford to take any chances, there are scammers out there but these people will help you discover them.

CORRECTION TO ABOVE:  I TOLD HER I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE GIVING MY SOCIAL #

THIS IS NOT A SCAM AND COULD HELP YOU FROM BEING SCAMMED. I returned this call today and the lady did ask for my social# I told her I was comfortable giving it and asked that she explain the reason for the call. She did so and told me she could look up the info with the number. I gave it to her and then she said it was for an account for a Pamela Sweeney, I told her I did not know anyone with that name and gave her my name (Initials A.D.) She removed my number from that persons account. This tells me someone probably got into my student records at college. This person thought they were slick. I know this because my moms initials are P.S. in fact her last name is Sweeney but her name is totally different from Pamela, however, my mom did co-sign on my student loan. So I guess they thought that if they used a name close enough they could be seen as on of her kids? Anyway they fouled up when they put my number, I called my mom and she said she knows no one by the name of Pamela and she never been to college a day in her life and she has no loans at all. So I was glad I called before they garnish my tax return as other are saying they can do. I can't afford to take any chances, there are scammers out there but these people will help you discover them.

A caller says they are from Direct Loan Servicing or Education Services.com
They ask for you to call back and then ask for your SS #.

This company is misrepresenting themselves as the "United States Department of Education" until you return the call, then they want your social security number.  They are clearly breaking the law.  After they are told they have the wrong person and phone number, they continue to call.  Where are the regulation agencies they are supposed to police this kind of criminal activity?

B***s***