<p>…I believe a deceptive practice is involved here…</p>
<p>My D (a college junior) has had her Federal Stafford Loan with our credit union for all of her college years. </p>
<p>Today she received a letter from Citibank telling her “We are unable to process your request for a Federal Stafford Loan because we have not received your signed Master Promissory Note (MPN)”.</p>
<p>There are instructions on how to do so online or by requesting a paper MPN. </p>
<p>Of course we called the credit union and they are funding this year as they have previously.</p>
<p>I believe this letter is ‘phishing’ and deceptive for her to go online and sign up with Citibank even though she has never applied for the loan servicing with them. </p>
<p>I have looked this letter up and down, and back and forth, looking for something saying ‘we have not been selected by you for servicing, but if you choose to select us, follow the directions above’ or some such thing. </p>
<p>I’m really concerned about how many unsuspecting students (kids) may well sign up with Citibank simply due to getting a letter like this.</p>
<p>I posted this on the Financial Aid board as well.</p>
<p>Is there a 1-800 number in the letter? I’d phone it and and see who answers. I’d also call Citibank – the real one – although finding the right people to talk to about this might take some time. Actually, you might be able to find a place to report this on Citibank’s web site.</p>
<p>It has been suggested that we touch base with the school’s FA dept to verify that THEY haven’t made an error. We will do all of the suggestions. It sort of feels dirty if Citibank is playing this game. Stay tuned.</p>
<p>May not really be from Citibank. There are scams that use “official” logos, language, letterheads etc. that are just trying to get account numbers, SS#'s, credit card #'s etc. – but make it look official. If you even think it’s a scam, report it to Citibank.</p>
<p>From the Citibank website:</p>
<p>When you report fraudulent e-mails we work aggressively with law enforcement agencies to investigate them.</p>
<p>If you suspect that you’ve received a fraudulent e-mail, please forward it to us.</p>
<p>Note: Don’t change or retype the subject line—this inhibits our ability to properly investigate it. After forwarding the e-mail, you should delete if from your inbox.</p>
<p>Could be a mistake, but may not really be from Citibank. There are scams that use “official” logos, language, letterheads etc. that are just trying to get account numbers, SS#'s, credit card #'s etc. – but make it look official. If you even think it’s a scam, report it to Citibank.</p>
<p>From the Citibank website:</p>
<p>When you report fraudulent e-mails we work aggressively with law enforcement agencies to investigate them.</p>
<p>If you suspect that you’ve received a fraudulent e-mail, please forward it to us.</p>
<p>Note: Don’t change or retype the subject line—this inhibits our ability to properly investigate it. After forwarding the e-mail, you should delete if from your inbox.</p>
<p>Everyone should be aware the MPN only has to be signed once at the beginning of the first year of college. Yup, citibank has had lots of look alike stuff out there. I have received emails with their logo etc. which look like they came from citibank. Same with BofA and I don’t have any account there!</p>