Consumer complaint received 2025-03-15 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer — Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Company: MOHELA
State: ID

Complaint narrative:
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding the unauthorized access to my student loan information by XXXX XXXX and the Department of Government Efficiency. XXXX XXXX and the Department of Government Efficiency do not have authorization from the United States Congress or legal clearance to access my sensitive personal and financial information. This unauthorized access constitutes a serious breach of my privacy rights and potentially violates several federal statutes. I request that the CFPB investigate these allegations and discharge my student loans in full, releasing me from liability due to the breach of my privacy rights and information security. 


I recently discovered that my student loan information was accessed without my consent by XXXX XXXX and the Department of Government Efficiency. This information includes sensitive details such as my loan balance, payment history, and personal identifiable information ( PII ). I have reason to believe that this access was not authorized by any legal means and may have been facilitated through improper channels.

Legal Violations : Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ) : FERPA protects the privacy of student education records, including financial aid information, by requiring prior written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information to a third party. Unauthorized disclosure of such records without consent is a violation of FERPA. Although FERPA primarily applies to educational institutions, the unauthorized access by external entities like XXXX XXXX and government departments raises concerns about the handling and protection of student data by third parties. 

XXXXamm-Leach-Bliley Act ( GLBA ) : GLBA requires financial institutions, including those involved in student loan servicing, to implement robust security measures to protect against unauthorized access to consumer financial information. The unauthorized access to my student loan information may indicate a failure to comply with these security requirements.

Higher Education Act ( HEA ) : Sections of the HEA regulate the use and disclosure of student financial aid information. Unauthorized access to this information may violate these provisions.

Request for Action I request that the CFPB investigate this matter to determine if any violations of federal privacy laws have occurred. Specifically, I ask that you : Investigate how XXXX XXXX and the Department of Government Efficiency accessed my student loan information.

Determine if any federal privacy laws, including FERPA and GLBA, were violated during this unauthorized access.

Take appropriate enforcement actions against any parties found to have violated these laws.

Discharge my student loans in full due to the breach of my privacy rights and information security. This discharge would be the only reasonable remedy for the harm caused by the unauthorized access and potential misuse of my sensitive financial information. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation