The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is cautioning borrowers to be aware of a new wave of harmful scams that attempt to take advantage of confusion surrounding the president’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received many complaints from borrowers about companies promising to deliver student loan services in exchange for fees.

Borrowers often believed they were talking to their loan servicer, or a company that was acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education.

Scammers use multiple modes of communication to reach borrowers, including social media, text messages, emails or phone calls. They are also very skilled at posing as government representatives and may even have look-alike government websites and logos to trick unsuspecting victims.

Borrowers are encouraged to visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid website, to check on the status of the loan forgiveness and to only work with their trusted partners when assistance is needed with managing their student loans.

Borrowers should never pay for a service that is available to them for free.

If you have been targeted by a scammer or think you may be a victim:

• Cancel your payments. If you realize after the fact, work with your bank to cancel or block your scheduled payment. Banks should have policies in place to help you avoid future fraudulent activity.

• Contact your servicer. They can help you protect your account. If you signed a power of attorney giving the scammer the right to communicate with your servicer on your behalf, get it revoked.

• Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission or the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General.

• Contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.