NEW YORK STATE — As the pause on the repayment of federal student loans ends, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection warned against scams and provided tips.

• Don’t trust any person or program that promises special access or guaranteed eligibility for forgiveness,
• Be wary of scammers who make false claims,
• Know trusted sources of information,
• Watch for phishing scams, 
• If you encounter a scam, report it and
• In beginning the repayment process, stay one step ahead and make it a routine to check on your credit report and look for inconsistencies, the department said. Visit annualreport.com or call 877/322-8228 to get your free reports.

The Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) is an independent, New York State-funded program of the Community Service Society of New York. It helps New Yorkers navigate the student loan system. EDCAP offers free one-on-one counseling with its student-loan experts. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 888/614-5004 or email edcap@cssny.org.