Consumer complaint received 2026-05-21 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Federal student loan debt
Issue: False statements or representation — Impersonated attorney, law enforcement, or government official
Company: Maximus Federal Services, Inc.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau : I am filing this complaint against MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. concerning deceptive debt collection activity, misleading representations regarding governmental affiliation, improper invocation of governmental exemptions under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and the furnishing of incomplete and materially misleading information concerning an alleged student loan debt. Public federal procurement records, federal operational records, federal servicing directories, and publicly available federal servicing references establish that MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. operates and administers the Default Resolution Group ( XXXX ), including operation and administration of the Default Management Collection System ( DMCS ) and default resolution call center operations pursuant to federal contracts. Federal contract records, including XXXX XXXX. XXXX, identify MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. as the contractor responsible for operating systems and call center functions associated with defaulted federal student loan collection operations. Additionally, official federal servicing references and federal operational directories identify MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. as the contracted service manager associated with Default Resolution Group operations located in XXXX, Texas. Educational servicing directories and student aid servicing references further identify : > Default Resolution Group ( also known as MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. ) These public records and operational references establish that MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. and Default Resolution Group are the same operational entity engaged in debt collection activity concerning debts allegedly owed to the U.S. Department of Education. Despite this, collection communications are issued in a manner that falsely implies direct governmental collection activity and/or governmental status. On XX/XX/year>, XXXX, Employee No. XXXX, speaking on a recorded line, confirmed that : - Default Resolution Group is a debt collector ; and - representatives communicating under the Default Resolution Group designation are not federal employees. MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. is engaged in the collection of debts allegedly owed to the U.S. Department of Education. Accordingly, MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. qualifies as a debt collector under 15 U.S.C. 1692a ( 6 ) because it regularly engages in the collection of debts owed to another. Despite this, communications concerning this alleged debt repeatedly invoke the Department of Educations alleged exemption from the FDCPA while failing to disclose that the actual collection activity is being performed by MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. and/or Default Resolution Group XXXX This conduct is deceptive and materially misleading because it obscures the identity of the actual entity performing the collection functions and falsely implies governmental status and/or governmental affiliation. Additionally, MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. and/or Default Resolution Group furnished and/or caused to be furnished incomplete and materially misleading information concerning this alleged debt to consumer reporting agencies. I further dispute the adequacy and reasonableness of any investigation conducted concerning this account and request investigation into whether MAXIMUS Federal Services , Inc. and/or Default Resolution Group are improperly invoking governmental exemptions while engaging in private debt collection activity.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation