<p>I am always vary of scam artist. I received the letter for my son and automatically checked it out. Whenever I receive any mail offering free money, I get on the internet and type in the name of the company followed by SCAM and “VIOLA”. You can rest assured, if it is a scam? Someone will post their views or experience. The best way to confirm, other than researching on the internet, check with the student’s college for the proper process. Remember, if it appears too good to be true, IT ISNT!</p>
<p>I got this letter, it didn’t have my school name or anything like that on it. Just said it was available for all colleges.
I read it, thought about doing it, then read about sending in a “refundable fee of 59 dollars” and immediately said no and just tossed it aside. It didn’t seem right that I’d have to pay to have someone give me aid…
So I decided for the hell of it to research the company and what do you know? My suspicions were absolutely correct.
All I can say is beware of scams, whether or not they’re on Craigslist, Ebay, in the mail or whatever.
I’ve had my fair share of people attempting to scam me and not getting away with it. I’ve had people send me fake checks trying to get me to cash them thinking I was going to fall for it… But I didn’t.
Parents, teach your children BEFORE they leave for college to be on the look out for suspicious things targeting those fresh out of high school.</p>
<p>Just got a letter from College Financial Advisory out of San Diego, CA. It looked very official and I really thought the college my daughter is going to sent it to get more information. I thought it was a little off when they wanted a $59 processing fee and then would refund it. I was going to call her college, but then came across this site. I will definitely throw it in shredder now…thanks for help.</p>
<p>“Federal, state, local and nationwide merit and need-based financial aid is available to students regardless of their academic performance or family income.” Really? Did anyone read this line carefully and not suspect something?</p>
<p>Just got this in the mail today. Too many red flags in the letter made me think it sounded scamy! Glad I checked it out with CC.</p>
<p>I just received this letter as well & am so glad I checked it out before sending a check for $59…what a scam! And I hate knowing they have my daughters information & know what school she attends.</p>
<p>Zabasearch and Intelius.com are great sites!</p>
<p>ARMOND A ARIA Born 1966 4085 ROSENDA CT SAN DIEGO, CA 92122<br>
ARMOND A ARIA Born 1966 4462 VIA REALZAR SAN DIEGO, CA 92122<br>
Family members:
Mostafa M Arab
Lila C Arab
Layla Arab
Ali S Arab
Fatemeh F Ara</p>
<p>Oh my goodness. THANK GOD I gut instinct was strong enough to have me look up this CFA bull poop before sending in my information and check. My little sister called me and said that I have gotten a financial aid letter in my mail and that I have to fill it out before Dec 30 in order to continue my aid for next year. I was thinking “What? I do that through FAFSA.gov”. Luckily today after looking over the darn scamming fillout sheet, I noticed that they asked for money upfront. MONEY UPFRONT in any form of writing is definitely a scam. To confirm, I googled this so called “College Financial Advisory” program. Found this helpful site and have read others’ comments to confirm my gut feeling that YES. CFA is a scam. Those who have received this letter along with me, we should conform against the man Armond behind this scam. One or two reports against this man won’t do anything unless there are more complaints. Contact me if you’re interest in busting this wretched man stealing parents’ and students’ hard-earned money.</p>
<p>Call the Consumer Protection Division in your state…and/or file a complaint with the state Attorney General’s Office.</p>
<p>yes! who is giviing out this students’ peronal information?</p>
<p>Just got the letter today addressed to “John Smith, or Parents of”. It smelled fishy to me so of course I googled it and found this thread…yay!</p>
<p>The envelope is rather official looking - has a CFA Seal on it and above our address is printed “Important: Student Profile Form Enclosed”.</p>
<p>Return address includes the line “2011-2012 Financial Aid Programs”.</p>
<p>I am calling DS’s college tomorrow to let them know that CFA is using their roster.</p>
<p>Everyone should rip the letter into little pieces and send it back in the return envelope like I did. Just send them back their junk mail.</p>