A FOTONOVELA FROM 

THE FEDERAL TRADE 

COMMISSION
The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer 

protection agency. Its mission is to protect consumers from 

fraudulent and deceptive practices. 

This fotonovela is part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to help 

the Latino community avoid scams and stop fraud. For more 

information, visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/fotonovela.

Report fraud by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or online at 

www.ftc.gov/complaint.

ABOUT THE FTC

Maria Rafael Paula

Leticia Mrs. Rodriguez
1

Thank you 

so much!

Congratulations, 

Paula.

I know. It feels like just 

yesterday I was rushing you 

to the hospital to give birth.

Rafael, I can’t 

believe our baby is 

graduating today. 

You did it!
2

Now comes the 

hard part. What do 

you mean?

Paying off the student 

loans we took out, and the 

credit card debt we racked 

up, so our baby could 

follow her dreams. Honey, don’t 

worry. Today is a 

day to celebrate!
3

Congratulations. We’re 

so proud of you.

Thanks. I couldn’t 

have done it without 

your support.

Leticia and I are going to the 

store to get one more thing for 

the party. Come on, sis.

Okay, but hurry. 

The tamales 

are waiting!

Mira, let’s get 

going. We have a 

party to get to!

Mom! Dad!
Maria and Leticia hear a radio ad.

4

Mamita’s tamales are 

going to be delicious.

I’m so anxious. I 

don’t think I’m going 

to have much of an 

appetite today.

Leti, quick, give me your 

phone. I’m going to call. 

We had to use our credit cards and 

get a student loan to pay for Paula’s 

college. And now we have to start 

paying for it, but Rafael has been out 

of work for months.

What’s wrong?

“Are you in debt? 

We can help. 

Call now!”
5

So, what did 

they say?

Well, let’s go. I have to 

go celebrate with my 

college graduate!

She said they have special access 

to federal student loan assistance 

programs and they can help us get 

rid of the credit card debt, too.

Hmm, I don’t 

know, sis.
After the party.

6

Hi, honey. I made 

you a plate of 

tamales.

That was some party, huh?

I’m just stressed out about 

paying for Paula’s college.

Congratulations, sweetheart.

What’s 

wrong? 

Sigh.
7

Mom, Dad, are 

we in trouble?

I know someone who can help, 

she spoke at one of my classes. 

The director of the legal aid clinic. 

They help people who are having 

trouble paying their debts.

Don’t worry. I heard a radio ad for 

a company that can help us.
A few days later, Maria and Rafael go to the 

legal aid clinic Paula told them about.

8

Hi. I’m Rafael, this is my 

wife Maria. We need your 

help. Our daughter just 

graduated college. 

Thanks. But I got laid off 

two months ago, and now 

we have to start paying 

off the student loan. And we owe a 

lot on our credit 

cards, too.

That’s great, 

congratulations.

Welcome, I’m 

Mrs. Rodriguez. 
9

No.

I heard an ad for a company that can help and 

spoke to a woman. She guaranteed they could 

lower our monthly student loan payment.

Good. Her guarantee that she can 

help is a classic sign of a scam. 

Others tell you to 

stop making your 

payments but 

don’t explain the 

consequences, like 

late fees that could 

damage your credit 

history.

There are companies 

out there that lie and 

say they have special 

access to government 

assistance programs. 

Oh no. Did you pay her? 
10

The woman I spoke 

with was really 

pushy. She wanted 

me to pay her over 

the phone.

It’s illegal for a company 

to charge you before it 

does anything to help you 

with your debts. That’s 

another sign of a scam.
11

When you get home, 

call your lenders right 

away. If you need help 

after talking to them, 

come back and see me. Thank you 

so much for 

your help.

If you have a federal 

student loan, contact the 

Department of Education.

First, contact the company you 

owe money to. Tell them you 

can’t pay and ask what your 

options are.

Here’s a free brochure that tells you your 

options if you can’t pay your debts.
A few weeks later, Rafael has a new job. 

And things are starting to look up.

12

How’s your new 

job going, honey?

We got the new student 

loan statement.

I’m so glad you went to see 

Mrs. Rodriguez from the legal aid clinic.

Now that’s a payment 

we can afford!

Great.
13

Some dishonest debt relief companies lie about how 

they can help. A reputable debt relief company:

– Won’t make you pay before it does anything to help you. 

That’s illegal.

– Won’t guarantee it can get rid of your debts.

– Won’t say it has special access to government assistance programs.

Report debt relief scams to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint 

or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

If You’re Having Trouble Paying Down Your Debts

Contact your lenders. Call the company you owe money to, tell them 

why you can’t pay, and ask if you can pay less each month. If you 

have a student loan from the government, contact the Department of 

Education at studentaid.ed.gov or 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Get credit counseling. To find legitimate help, start with a credit 

union, local university, military base, or the U.S. Cooperative 

Extension Service.

AVOIDING A DEBT RELIEF SCAM

I’m glad we told 

you what was going 

on. You helped us 

avoid a scam.
This fotonovela is part of the Federal Trade Commission’s 

ongoing efforts to raise awareness about scams 

targeting the Latino community. The story offers 

information about avoiding a debt relief scam.

See all of the FTC’s fotonovelas at 

www.consumer.ftc.gov/fotonovela.

Sign up to get free scam alerts and other news at 

ftc.gov/stay-connected.

Order free educational materials from the Federal 

Trade Commission at bulkorder.ftc.gov.

May 2016