<p>Is this legit? My son's other parent gave my son's name, social security # and birthdate to a website that said they were the collegeboard and gave parent plus loans..but never heard any more from them..she then came to me wondering what she should do as she wants to take out a loan for her portion of our son's college cost (I told her she should have gone direct to the college he'll be attending first) grrr. Any one have any idea if this is a scam or how I even go about finding out? Should I panic or remain calm?<br>
thanks</p>
<p>PLUS loans are distributed to the school and not to the parent. The parent is responsible for repayment.</p>
<p>I use the plural of loan because the other parent can also take out PLUS loan. The Total PLUS loans cannot exceeed COA, less Stafford (student loans). PLUS lenders will pay to any school. If the school has not started, there has been no disbursement of funds to school and therefore status has not changed-no communication is needed.</p>
<p>From our experience, the process is slower during the beginning of each school period</p>
<p>For your situation, The word "parent" may have specific legal meaning. Consult a PLUS Lender.</p>
<p>oaklandmom </p>
<p>Seems to me they are alright. But, I haven't children.</p>
<p>However, since you are the mommy in this situation you have every right to be cautious:) That is my opinion.</p>
<p>800 891-1253 is the number from the site where you can apply by phone. Maybe you should call them if you have any questions?</p>
<p>Thanks so much. She is legally his other parent - second parent adoptions are legal in CA and she is being responsible and wanting to pay her share. My concern was when she put our son's name, social security # & birth date on a website that just said they'd send her an application, the website didn't have a loan app on line. When I had gone to the Collegeboard site it referred me back to the college my son will be attending and they have sent me the application(which they did immediately). I couldn't figure out why the college board would refer me to the school my son will be attending, but would ask the other parent for the kids social security #, etc. & then say they would send her an application. So I'm concerned that she gave out his info to a scam of some sort. </p>
<p>His other parent insisted it was ok because she had a phone number but it is different than the phone number listed on the college board site. But I think I will call the number listed on the collegeboard site and see if they ask for the students social security #, etc before mailing out the application.</p>
<p>There are a lot of fingers in the pie: The producer, the lender, the guarantor, the servicer, the webmanager, the school, the loan paper holder, the packager, the US Dept of Education. I think I got'em all. Getting the application and completing the application is the fastest and easiest part.</p>
<p>I think Oaklandmom is concerned that the other parent might have been the victim of a phishing site, and unwittingly given the social security number out to someone that is not a legitimate lender.</p>
<p>The answer is that you have to start by finding out the exact URL where the other mom went. If you can't figure that out, you may need to monitor son's credit report for awhile to be on the alert for possible identity theft. You can order free credit reports on line from each of the major credit reporting agencies -- I would suggest that you do that to keep an eye on your son's credit.</p>
<p>thanks, calmom, that is exactly my fear. I will monitor my son's credit report for a while.</p>