Latest news with #PamelaHernandez
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As loan payments restart, BBB alerts students to potential scams
JOPLIN, Mo. — The Better Business Bureau is warning students to watch out for scams, as the federal government begins collecting on student loans for the first time since 2020. More than 5 million borrowers are currently in default, and four million more are at risk, according to the BBB. It also says the best place to find information about repayment plans, relief programs, and loan forgiveness is the Department of Education's website. There, you can set up an Federal Student Aid ID to manage your loans. You can refinance your loans with a private institution, but it's important to take a step back and consider all your options first. 'Before you choose a private lender though, make sure you know your rights. If you decide you want to consolidate your federal student loans with a private lender, you might lose some options for repayment plans or forbearance. So really understand your terms before you make that decision,' said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director. They also say to never give out sensitive information, including your FSA ID, to a third party. If someone makes big promises of reducing your debt for a fee, chances are it's a scam. You can verify businesses offering loan consolidation with the Better Business Bureau. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
REAL ID Applicants Warned of Potential Scams, Here's How to Avoid Them
Americans applying for their REAL IDs need to remain cautious of scams, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security REAL ID Act has officially rolled out beginning on Wednesday, May 7. After years of delays, the standard driver's license may no longer be acceptable identification for domestic flights or certain federal facilities. However, the BBB said fake websites are conning people, claiming they can expedite their REAL IDs. But the only way to obtain a Real ID is by visiting the DMV in person, and with the original copies of one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security number and two proofs of state residency. Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director, told KSNF Joplin that a possible influx of scams could be similar to when people receive or renew passports. She attributes the scams to preying on people who are 'in a hurry because they've got a trip coming up, and they start looking online on how to expedite' the process. 'Scammers create websites to take advantage of that and confused consumers,' she said. 'So while we haven't seen anything with Real ID yet, it is a possibility because of all the conversation and confusion.' Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Air travelers without a REAL ID are given a red tag before secondary screening as they go though security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Air travelers without a REAL ID are given a red tag before secondary screening as they go though security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. 'The scams we've been seeing online are that you can get your Real ID completely online. If you are seeing that, that is false,' Amie Mitchell, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma, said, per Fox News 23. 'You have to go to the local DMV to get it done and there are only certain DMVs in town that are actually doing this.' Bao Vang, VP of Communications at Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, also told CBS News: 'If you're asked to provide additional information, such as bank account information or credit card numbers, likely a red flag of a scam.' Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Air travelers without a REAL ID are given a red tag before secondary screening as they go though security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Air travelers without a REAL ID are given a red tag before secondary screening as they go though security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The REAL ID is a form of identification that meets higher security standards set by the federal government. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, enacting a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that 'set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.' Although a REAL ID looks similar to a regular driver's license, the significant difference will be the star that appears in the upper right corner. Most U.S. adults will need a REAL ID if they plan to fly domestically or to visit federal facilities that require identification. Children under 18 won't need one if they're flying with a companion who has acceptable ID. However, there are a few stipulations as to why this may not be the case for everyone in all states. For example, residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington can apply for Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) or Enhanced IDs (EIDs). Read the original article on People
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
REAL ID Applicants Targeted by Scams, Here's How to Avoid Them
The only way to obtain a Real ID is by visiting the DMV in person Americans applying for their REAL IDs need to remain cautious of scams, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security REAL ID Act has officially rolled out beginning on Wednesday, May 7. After years of delays, the standard driver's license may no longer be acceptable identification for domestic flights or certain federal facilities. However, the BBB said fake websites are conning people, claiming they can expedite their REAL IDs. But the only way to obtain a Real ID is by visiting the DMV in person, and with the original copies of one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security number and two proofs of state residency. Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director, told KSNF Joplin that a possible influx of scams could be similar to when people receive or renew passports. She attributes the scams to preying on people who are 'in a hurry because they've got a trip coming up, and they start looking online on how to expedite' the process. ADVERTISEMENT 'Scammers create websites to take advantage of that and confused consumers,' she said. 'So while we haven't seen anything with Real ID yet, it is a possibility because of all the conversation and confusion.' Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Air travelers without a REAL ID are given a red tag before secondary screening as they go though security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. 'The scams we've been seeing online are that you can get your Real ID completely online. If you are seeing that, that is false,' Amie Mitchell, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma, said, per Fox News 23. 'You have to go to the local DMV to get it done and there are only certain DMVs in town that are actually doing this.' Bao Vang, VP of Communications at Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota, also told CBS News: 'If you're asked to provide additional information, such as bank account information or credit card numbers, likely a red flag of a scam.' Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Air travelers without a REAL ID are given a red tag before secondary screening as they go though security at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, CA, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The REAL ID is a form of identification that meets higher security standards set by the federal government. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, enacting a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission that 'set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.' ADVERTISEMENT Although a REAL ID looks similar to a regular driver's license, the significant difference will be the star that appears in the upper right corner. Most U.S. adults will need a REAL ID if they plan to fly domestically or to visit federal facilities that require identification. Children under 18 won't need one if they're flying with a companion who has acceptable ID. However, there are a few stipulations as to why this may not be the case for everyone in all states. For example, residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington can apply for Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) or Enhanced IDs (EIDs). Read the original article on People
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Common Scam With Real ID Licenses Revealed at Deadline
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Wednesday marked the REAL ID deadline, meaning Americans must have the new form of identification to fly domestically and access some federal buildings. If you don't have a REAL ID--discernible by a gold star in the corner--you'll actually still be able to fly, but the process may take longer. Still, the need to obtain a REAL ID if you haven't already is pressing for some folks, which could open the door for scammers to take advantage. According to the Better Business Bureau, one major red flag to keep an eye on is websites offering REAL IDs, which can only be secured by visiting a DMV in person. 'Something that we do see that's similar are passports and passport renewals. People get in a hurry because they've got a trip coming up, and they start looking online on how to expedite that, and scammers create websites to take advantage of that and confused consumers," said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director. "So while we haven't seen anything with READ ID yet, it is a possibility because of all the conversation and confusion,' Illinois residents enter the Real ID Super Center operated by the Secretary of State's office to apply for a Real ID on May 06, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Starting tomorrow, a drivers license or state ID will no longer be considered acceptable forms of identification to board a domestic Hernandez says her office has not seen any online REAL ID scams yet, Amie Mitchell, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma, told FOX23 News that her department has uncovered them. "You've got to be careful with Real ID," Mitchell said. "The scams we've been seeing online are that you can get your Real ID completely online. If you are seeing that, that is false. You have to go to the local DMV to get it done and there are only certain DMV's in town that are actually doing this, I believe it's most of them, but make sure that they are actually doing the Real ID." Other warning signs for the public include any website or service asking you for personal information such as Social Security Number, bank account or credit card info in exchange for a REAL ID. If you're attempting to fly after today without a REAL ID, the TSA website details the other acceptable documents you can use, which include a United States or foreign-issued passport, Veteran Health Identification Card, Department of Defense ID, Border Crossing card and more.
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Real ID scams target applicants as deadline hits — this is one red flag to watch out for
Real ID, real scams. Con artists have been targeting Americans overwhelmed by today's deadline for a Real ID. The enhanced form of identification will be required to fly domestically, enter federal buildings, and access secure facilities, with phony websites promising expedited processing, per the Better Business Bureau. However, the only way to obtain a Real ID is by visiting the DMV in person — a fact that fraudsters are exploiting, said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director, according to KSNF Joplin. 4 As the Real ID deadline looms, scammers are swooping in, preying on rushed and bewildered applicants with bogus websites and empty promises of fast-tracked processing, the Better Business Bureau warns. REUTERS 'Something that we do see that's similar are passports and passport renewals,' Hernandez said. 'People get in a hurry because they've got a trip coming up, and they start looking online on how to expedite that, and scammers create websites to take advantage of that and confused consumers. So while we haven't seen anything with Real ID yet, it is a possibility because of all the conversation and confusion.' Amie Mitchell, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma, said scammers are setting up fake websites that claim to offer Real IDs online, luring in frantic consumers who are desperate to meet the deadline, Fox News 23 reports. 4 Beginning today, a Real ID is mandatory for domestic flights, federal buildings, and secure facilities — but the only way to get one is in person at the DMV, a detail scammers are capitalizing on. AP 'You've got to be careful with Real ID,' Mitchell warned. 'The scams we've been seeing online are that you can get your Real ID completely online. If you are seeing that, that is false. You have to go to the local DMV to get it done and there are only certain DMVs in town that are actually doing this.' Bao Vang with the Better Business Bureau echoed those concerns, urging people to avoid entering personal or financial information into any unsolicited messages or websites claiming to offer Real IDs. 'If you're asked to provide additional information, such as bank account information or credit card numbers, likely a red flag of a scam,' Vang said to CBS News. 4 When people are rushing to get their documents before a trip, they often search online for quick fixes — a tactic scammers exploit by creating fake websites to prey on confused consumers, experts warn. AP The Real ID is a security-enhanced form of identification that includes a gold star in the upper corner. To get one, applicants must provide several forms of documentation, including a birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of residence — all prime targets for identity thieves. Mitchell emphasized that while the deadline has arrived, consumers with a valid passport can still fly without a Real ID, providing some breathing room to avoid the rush — and the scammers. 4 If you're prompted to share bank account or credit card details, that's a glaring scam warning, experts say — and a clear sign you need to head to the real DMV. AP 'Consumers should know there are all sorts of fake websites out there that will say they can do this all for you and I know we have a deadline but you cannot do this solely online. You have to go to the DMV,' she said to Fox News 23, The BBB advises consumers to report suspected scams to their local BBB office and to the Federal Trade Commission at
