Consumer complaint received 2025-07-24 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Problem with forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge
Company: Servicer under contract with Federal Student Aid
State: IA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding a serious data breach and privacy violation involving the U.S. Department of Education ( ED ) and an entity identified as the Department of Government Efficiency ( DOGE ). This incident involves the unauthorized access, use, and possible disclosure of my federally protected student loan, educational, and tax data. Despite repeated attempts, the Department of Education has failed to acknowledge or address this matter.

Summary of Violations : I have reason to believe that my personally identifiable information ( PII ), Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) data, and IRS tax transcripts were accessed without my knowledge or consent. These violations appear to be in direct contravention of : FERPA ( 20 U.S.C. 1232g ; 34 CFR Part 99 ) protecting access to educational records, Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 governing the handling of federal student aid data, and federal data protection laws related to the misuse of IRS tax records. 
These breaches have compromised the integrity of my federal student loan agreements and placed my financial security and privacy at risk. To date, the Department of Education has failed to respond to my formal complaint and request for action, leaving me without recourse. 

Requested Corrective Actions : I am requesting the CFPBs urgent intervention and support in addressing the following : Immediate discharge of all federal student loans in my name due to the invalidation of their legal and financial basis following the breach.

An independent investigation into the unauthorized access of my records and who was responsible.

A full accounting and disclosure of what data was compromised, how it was accessed, and what mitigation efforts have been made. 
Notification to XXXX XXXX bureaus ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX XXXX ) to issue a fraud alert and investigate potential identity misuse. 
Enforcement of penalties or sanctions against any responsible agencies or contractors under CFPB jurisdiction. 
Impact : This breach has caused me significant emotional distress, exposed me to potential financial fraud, and undermined trust in the federal student loan system. Given the Department of Education 's failure to respond in a timely and transparent manner, I am turning to the CFPB for assistance in obtaining relief and enforcing my consumer rights under federal law. 

Attached are copies of the formal letter sent to the U.S. Department of Education. 

I request confirmation from the CFPB that this complaint has been received and is being investigated. I mailed the letter to the Department of Education in XXXX, its now about to be XXXX. 

Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me if additional information is required.

Company response to consumer: Untimely response