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Do Student Loans Expire?

Federal student loans never expire. Unlike private student loans, federal loans have no statute of limitations, which is the time limit creditors have to use legal means to collect on a debt. And while the clock technically can run out on private student loans, that doesn’t mean your student loans have vanished — lenders simply can no longer sue you to collect the debt. Plus, waiting it out will wreak havoc on your finances, anyway.

As such, waiting for student loans to expire is not a recommended tactic to manage student loans. Read on to learn more about why your student loans aren’t likely to expire and more effective ways to deal with student loan debt.

Why Federal Student Loans Don’t Expire

When does my student loan expire?

The answer to that question is “never” when it comes to federal loans. There’s no statute of limitations for collections on federal student loans. This means that if you stop making payments, your loan servicer or a debt collector can sue you to force repayment, regardless of how long it’s been since you last made a payment.

So what happens if you do stop paying your federal student loans altogether? First, your total balance will continue to increase. Whether or not you’re making any payments, interest will accrue, which means that every month your lender will add your new interest fees to your principal loan balance.

After at least 270 days of non-payment, your federal student loan will be in default. This can cause a number of things to happen, including loan acceleration (meaning your entire balance becomes due) and your loan getting sent to collections, which can damage your credit score and lead to additional fees from a collection agency.

Additionally, the federal government may decide to withhold your tax refund or even garnish wages directly from your paycheck. Your loan holder can also sue you to force you to pay up.

Recommended: What Happens When Your Student Loans Go to Collections?

Why Private Student Loans May Expire

Unlike federal student loans, private student loans may be bound by a statute of limitations on collections. The statute of limitations varies by state and is generally between three and 10 years from the date you stopped paying your loans. Once the statute of limitations is up, the debt becomes “time-barred.”

Before you stop making your monthly payments, it’s important to know that a statute of limitations is not the same thing as an expiration date on your loans. A statute of limitations is merely a limit on the time that a lender or debt collector has to sue you in court to force you to pay back the loans.

Even if your debt is time-barred, you still technically owe the money, and failure to pay could lead to student loan default. When you default, you may face negative impacts to your credit score, and you may still end up dealing with collection agencies, plus any additional fees they may charge.

One Way You Can Get Rid of Student Loans

You can technically get rid of federal student loans in bankruptcy. However, doing so is extremely rare.

To potentially get your student loans (federal or private) discharged in bankruptcy, you would have to prove that paying your loans would cause you “undue hardship” (to borrow a phrase right from the U.S. Bankruptcy Code). Proving that paying your loans would cause undue hardship typically involves passing the Brunner test. This is a tool bankruptcy courts use that basically lays out ways in which you might claim undue hardship.

In short, it’s far from a sure thing. But whether you’re 19 or 90 years old, your federal student loans will not just automatically expire after a period of non-payment — and failing to pay has some serious consequences.

Alternative Options to Manage Student Loan Debt

Just because federal student loans don’t expire doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to manage your student loan debt. Here are a few other options you might explore.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is available to professionals who work for qualifying employers in certain fields such as government, the nonprofit sector, and healthcare. This program is meant to encourage graduates to fill needed jobs in the public service sector without worrying about making enough money to pay off their student debt.

PSLF requires that you make 120 payments (the equivalent of 10 years, though they don’t need to be consecutive) while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Only payments made under certain repayment programs (such as income-driven repayment) count toward forgiveness. Still, federal loan forgiveness may be a good option for public servants with lots of debt left to pay.

Income-Driven Repayment

Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans reduce your payments to a percentage of your discretionary income. There are three IDR plans available today:

•   Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), which replaced REPAYE

•   Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

•   Income-Based Repayment (IBR)

•   Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR)

In addition to reducing payments, these plans also extend the repayment term up to 25 years. Once the repayment period is up on the Income-Based Repayment plan, any remaining debt should be forgiven (but may be considered taxable income). The Department of Education is no longer offering forgiveness at the end of PAYE or ICR, but you can get credit for your payments by switching to IBR.

Starting in the summer of 2026, there will be a new income-driven option called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). This plan offers forgiveness at the end, but only after you’ve paid your loans for 30 years.

Student Loan Refinancing

Another option to save money on your student loans is student loan refinancing. Loan refinancing doesn’t change the underlying amount that you owe. However, it may reduce the amount of money you spend on interest and help you secure better payment terms, which can add up to some serious cash over the life of your loan. When you refinance a federal student loan, you replace it with a private student loan.

Refinancing your federal and private loans based on your current credit score and income may allow you to score a brand new loan with a better interest rate or a shorter payoff term. However, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term.

To see how refinancing your loans could potentially help you spend less money in interest, you can take a look at this student loan refinance calculator. Just know that if you’re working toward PSLF, refinancing with a private lender will disqualify your loans from this and any other federal program or repayment plan.

💡 Quick Tip: Refinancing comes with a lot of specific terms. If you want a quick refresher, the Student Loan Refinancing Glossary can help you understand the essentials.

Take control of your student loans.
Ditch student loan debt for good.


The Takeaway

If you’ve been waiting around for your federal student loans to expire, you’re out of luck — federal student loans don’t expire. While private student loans may expire due to their statute of limitations, your debt won’t just disappear when this happens. Your finances will also suffer in the meantime. This is why it’s important to look into other ways to manage your student loan debt, such as student loan refinancing or income-driven repayment.

Remember that refinancing federal student loans means forfeiting access to federal repayment plans and other forgiveness programs. If you’re not relying on federal benefits, however, it could be an effective way to reduce your interest rate.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers.
Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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How Refinancing Student Loans Can Affect Your Credit Score

How Refinancing Student Loans Can Affect Your Credit Score

If you can secure better terms for your student loan through refinancing, you may save money over the life of your loan. But does refinancing student loans hurt your credit score?

While refinancing may cause a small temporary dip in your credit score, your credit score will likely improve in the long term if it helps make your monthly payments more manageable.

Here’s what to know about how refinancing student loans may affect your credit and how to decide if student loan refinancing is the right choice for you.

Do Student Loan Refinance Lenders Look at Credit Scores?

Lenders look into factors including your credit score and payment history to determine if you qualify for student loan refinancing. As a reminder of what creditworthiness is: Your credit tells a story about your past borrowing habits and gives lenders insight into your likelihood of repaying the loan. If that story reflects positively on you, you’re considered “creditworthy” and more likely to qualify for better loan terms, such as a lower interest rate.

To provide you with pre-qualified refinancing rates, lenders usually run a soft credit check with the credit bureaus. A soft credit inquiry doesn’t typically impact your credit score. If you decide to move forward with a student loan refinance offer by submitting a formal application, a lender will conduct a hard credit inquiry, which will impact your score. This impact, however, is usually temporary and may be worth it if you’re able to secure better loan terms.


💡 Quick Tip: Get flexible terms and competitive rates when you refinance your student loan with SoFi.

Possible Positive Effects

There are short- and long-term positive effects of refinancing student loans when it comes to your credit score. Here are some of the times when refinancing student loans can be a good idea.

Short Term

If your original loan has a high interest rate or high monthly payment and it causes you to have late or missed payments, that can hurt your credit score. According to FICO, a popular credit scoring model used by lenders, 35% of your FICO score calculation is based on your payment history.

Recommended: Refinancing Student Loans Guide

Refinancing student loans can affect your credit in a positive way in the short term by making your monthly payments manageable. You may be able to lower your monthly payments if you qualify for a reduced interest rate. You can also choose to extend your repayment term during a refinance to lower your monthly payment, though this may mean you’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan.

Long Term

If you secure better loan terms that make it easier to repay your loans on time, you’ll make positive strides with your credit over time as you maintain a good payment history. Again, with 35% of your FICO score impacted by your repayment habits, this is a key benefit.

And if you qualify for a lower student loan interest rate, a student loan refinance can help you apply more of your cash flow toward your principal balance. In addition to saving more on interest charges for your total education debt, you’ll also repay your student loans faster. Aside from the mental relief you’ll get from a faster debt payoff, paying off your student loan accounts reduces the total outstanding amount you owe, which can impact up to 30% of your FICO score calculation.

Possible Negative Effects

So how does refinancing student loans hurt credit exactly? The negative effects on your credit score are typically minimal if you’re able to make on-time payments. Here’s what to know.

Short Term

Although your credit isn’t impacted by a soft credit check, a hard inquiry does affect your credit score. However, the impact is usually a five-point reduction or less and a hard inquiry from a student loan refinance only hurts your score for a few months, according to credit bureau Experian. After the inquiry drops off of your credit report, it’s no longer factored into your credit score calculation.

Long Term

A student loan refinance can negatively impact your credit score long-term if you find that you’re still unable to make full, on-time monthly payments. If for any reason your loan goes into default, it will adversely affect your credit score.

Recommended: Can You Remove Student Loans from Your Credit Report?

Can You Prevent Any Negative Effects?

The negative impact of refinancing student loans is small, but there are still strategies to minimize their effect:

•   Keep applications within a 14- to 45-day window. When multiple credit inquiries of a similar type are conducted within a close time frame of each other, some credit scoring models count them at only one inquiry.

•   Keep paying your loans while in the refinancing process. Don’t stop making payments to your original loan servicer or lender until your refinancing lender gives you the all-clear. Prematurely stopping your loan payments can negatively impact your credit, even if you’re in the middle of refinancing.

•   Stay on top of your student loan refinance payments. Maintain positive payment activity on your loan to avoid adversely affecting your credit score down the line.

Recommended: Guide to Refinancing Private Student Loans

When Can Refinancing Student Loans Be a Bad Idea?

If you don’t have a strong credit history, it might be challenging to get approved for a competitive refinance student loan rate and terms. Consider building your credit before applying or finding a cosigner with strong credit.

Refinancing also is not a good idea if you’re planning to take advantage of federal student loan programs or benefits, such as deferment, forbearance, student loan forgiveness, or income-driven repayment plans. You will no longer have access to these federal programs if you refinance your loan with a private lender.


💡 Quick Tip: When refinancing a student loan, you may shorten or extend the loan term. Shortening your loan term may result in higher monthly payments but significantly less total interest paid. A longer loan term typically results in lower monthly payments but more total interest paid.

Alternatives to Student Loan Refinancing

Student loan refinancing isn’t the only student loan repayment approach available. Alternative options provided by federal and state programs offer various ways to get relief from your education debt.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Federal student loan borrowers have access to various student loan forgiveness programs that cancel a portion of your student loan debt. Popular programs that can reduce your student loan burden without impacting your credit include:

•   Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Borrowers who participate in PSLF must work full-time at the government level (federal, state, local, or tribal) or nonprofit. During this time, you must also enroll in an income-driven repayment plan and make 120 qualifying payments. Afterward, your remaining eligible federal loan debt is forgiven.

•   Income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. If you want to lower your monthly payments – and potentially get some of your loan balance forgiven – consider opting into an income-driven repayment plan. After making 20 or 25 years of payments on the Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan, the remainder of your eligible debt should be forgiven. The Department of Education is no longer processing forgiveness for the two other IDR plans, PAYE and ICR, but you should get credit for your payments if you switch to IBR.

Note that PAYE and ICR are set to close in the coming years, and borrowers will have a new income-driven plan option called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) starting in the summer of 2026. Existing borrowers will be able to access IBR or RAP, while those who borrow after July 1, 2026 will only have the RAP plan as an income-driven option.

Each program has specific requirements that you’ll need to fulfill before receiving loan forgiveness, so be sure to review.

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs

Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) are provided through federal and state-sponsored programs, and sometimes through a private employer as an incentive. Qualified loans vary between programs, but some allow commercial loans (i.e. private student loans) and federal student loans.

Typically, a service commitment to work at an approved facility in an underserved area is required to be eligible for loan repayment assistance. After your service contract ends, you’ll receive a certain amount of repayment assistance toward your student loan debt if you meet all of the program’s criteria.

Direct Consolidation Loan

A Direct Consolidation Loan is only available for eligible federal loans; private student loans can’t be consolidated into a federal loan. If you have a hard time keeping track of multiple federal student loans, their due dates, and payment amounts, a consolidation loan simplifies your repayment.

It combines multiple loans into one new consolidation loan. The loan will be at a new interest rate which is the weighted average of the interest on all loans involved in the consolidation. There are many pros and cons involved with a Direct Consolidation Loan so tread carefully before taking this step.

SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Rates

Refinancing student loans can help you save money over the life of the loan if you can secure a lower interest rate or more favorable terms. You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term. While the hard credit inquiry required by a loan application may temporarily lower your credit score, the long term benefits may be worth it if you’re able to save money and make your monthly payments more manageable.

It’s important to understand, however, that if you refinance federal student loans, you’ll lose access to valuable federal benefits and protections — so you should only refinance if you’re not planning to take advantage of any of these programs.

If you think a student loan refinance may make sense for your situation, you can check how much you might be able to save using a student loan refinancing calculator tool. A SoFi student loan refinance could help you reduce your total borrowing costs and offers competitive terms at low fixed or variable rates.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.


Photo credit: iStock/ferrantraite

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers.
Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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18 Common Misconceptions About Money

Common Money Myths That Are Hurting Your Finances

Even the most money-savvy person may have some false beliefs about money. Maybe you were raised with misconceptions about finances, such as investing is only for the very rich, or were given off-target advice from well-intentioned friends (telling you to always aim to buy a house vs. renting), for instance.

Incorrect beliefs about money can have a negative impact on how you manage your finances, potentially hindering your path to achieving your goals.

Key Points

•   Debunking money myths can be crucial for financial success.

•   Not all debt is bad; some debt, such as relatively low-interest mortgages, can help build credit and equity.

•   A high salary doesn’t guarantee wealth; saving and investing do.

•   Renting isn’t always worse than buying; it depends on your situation.

•   Saving early for retirement can benefit from compounding returns.

Why Debunking Money Myths Is Key to Financial Success

Being realistic about money can help you set reasonable financial goals and reach them in the short- and long-term. Whether you are feeling financially secure or are looking to better manage your finances, practicing healthy financial habits will serve you well in the long run.

That’s why debunking money myths is important. If you believe, for instance, that carrying lots of credit card debt is “normal,” you may not eliminate that monthly balance that’s dragging down your budget.

Here are some common misconceptions about money to avoid if you want to be financially fit.

10 Common Misconceptions About Money

Here, learn about popular money misconceptions and why it may be time to bust some financial myths.

1. You Need a Lot of Money to Start Investing

You do not need to be rich in order to invest: You can start investing with just a few dollars. The average stock market return is about 10% a year, as measured by the S&P 500 index. The S&P 500 Index return does not include the reinvestment of dividends or account for investment fees, expenses, or taxes, which would reduce actual returns. Investing has risks, and you’ll want to be comfortable with that notion and find investments that suit your risk tolerance.

Whatever you decide to do, investigate fees before you begin investing so you are prepared for any costs you will need to cover.

2. Budgeting Is Too Restrictive and Complicated

Regardless of how little or how much money you have, a budget is helpful for organizing your finances. If you feel budgeting is too restrictive and/or complicated, you probably just haven’t found the right budgeting method yet.

Making a budget could help you achieve financial stability. You need to budget so you can keep track of your spending, your debt, and your savings for future goals.

There are various techniques and tools (spreadsheets, journals, apps) for budgeting. One strategy is the 50/30/20 budget rule, in which 50% of your post-tax money goes towards necessary expenses (housing, food, utilities, and the like), 30% goes towards wants, and 20% is used for saving.

3. All Debt Is Bad Debt

According to Debt.org, 90% of American households have some kind of consumer debt. But keep in mind, not all debt is created equal. Some debt is considered good debt. Think about a mortgage: Once you’ve saved for a down payment, this financial product is typically a fairly low-interest loan that may help build your credit history (if managed responsibly) and also allows you to accrue equity in the home.

Bad debt, on the other hand, is high-interest debt, such as credit card debt, where interest rates are high and you aren’t building equity. Just because a lot of people may have this kind of debt doesn’t mean you should. It can snowball and keep you spending a chunk of money monthly that could otherwise be saved or invested.

4. A High Salary Automatically Makes You Wealthy

A common money misconception is that earning a high salary makes you wealthy. That is not necessarily true. People who earn a lot of money can spend a lot of it too. The key to building wealth is saving and investing your money so it can potentially grow over time. Even if you simply stash money in a high-yield savings account, compounding interest can help grow your wealth.

To look at it from another angle, say one person earns $50,000 a year, lives within their means, and saves and invests wisely. Then there’s a person who earns $500,000 but they own multiple houses, spend freely on luxuries, and haven’t yet gotten their act together in terms of saving and investing. The person who has the lower salary might actually be the wealthier of the two.

5. Buying a Home Is Always Better Than Renting

Buying a home is the quintessential American dream, but it’s not necessarily the right move for everyone. Whether to rent or buy ultimately depends on your personal situation and your aspirations.

You may have heard that renting is a waste of money, but it can provide flexibility for those who are not ready to buy a home or not interested in doing so. For instance, perhaps your work requires you to relocate often, or you only want to buy a house when your baby is older and you can pick the right school district. Maybe you’d rather pay off debt vs. save for a down payment. Or you just might not want the major expense of a mortgage, taxes, and home maintenance in your life. Whatever your situation may be, it’s important not to feel pressured into buying unless it’s the right move for you.

6. You Should Avoid Credit Cards to Stay Out of Debt

Using credit cards as a form of payment doesn’t mean you’ll go into debt. Spending more than you can afford to pay off what you owe, however, may put you on that path. If you use a credit card wisely and typically pay off the debt every month, this can be a factor that helps you build credit. It also keeps you from paying high credit card interest, which averages 24.35% as of July 2025.

However, if you are a person who tends to spend impulsively and not pay your credit card bill on time, this could negatively affect your credit score. This is why it’s important to manage your purchases and pay your credit card bills on time.

7. Saving for Retirement Can Wait Until You’re Older

This can be a dangerous myth to believe. If you are young and are investing for your retirement, you have time on your side. Your invested money can grow over time thanks to compounding returns. Here’s an example: If a 25-year-old invests $200 a month and earns a 6% return, they’ll have $393,700 by age 65. But if that same person starts saving at age 35, that same money at the same rate nets them $201,100, or about half of what they’d have if they started sooner.

It may feel as if retirement is a long way away, but the sooner you begin funding it, the more you are likely to have. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, take advantage of contributing to it. If this isn’t offered at your place of work, you can open an individual retirement account (IRA) or a Roth IRA.

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8. Talking About Money Is Taboo

Talking about money issues may seem like taboo, but it shouldn’t be. It can be healthy to talk about money troubles to close family and friends, because they may have ideas about how to approach a solution. Perhaps they experienced a similar issue in the past and can offer advice on how they handled it.

If you find it uncomfortable to talk to family or friends about your money concerns, you might want to consider speaking to a professional. For instance, there are non-profit credit counseling organizations, like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling that could help you if you are burdened with debt and feel overwhelmed.

9. More Money Will Solve All Your Problems

Yes, money can help take care of bills, but the old adage, “More money, more problems” may well be true, too. The secret to being financially secure is not about how much money you make, it’s about how well you manage it.

For instance, say you take a new job that pays twice your current salary. If you turn around and buy a pricier home and car and book some luxury vacations, you might be in more debt and experience more stress than before. The way to prevent this is by not living beyond your means.

Healthy budgeting and saving habits (such as automating your savings) are what can help solve problems.

10. Financial Planning Is Only for the Rich

Financial planning isn’t only for those who have hefty savings accounts, net worth, or investment portfolios. Although it may not be taught in school, financial literacy is important for all, and setting money goals can help you achieve your dreams. Too many people just open a checking account and then ignore their money.

You might be more comfortable working with a financial professional, but you don’t need one to manage your money. It’s totally your choice. You might also see what tools and services your bank offers, and investigate third-party options.

Budgeting and Saving Myths Debunked

There are several myths about budgeting and saving that are worth debunking. For instance, many people believe living on a budget is hard, complicated, time-consuming, and all about deprivation.

Not true! The right budget can help you stay on track financially and achieve your goals. What’s important is to experiment with different budgets to find one that suits your needs. You might use technology, such as a savings calculator to help you along.

Also, it’s a financial myth that you need a lot of money to save effectively. Regardless of your income and expenses, budgeting well can allow you to start saving regularly. Small amounts of money can really add up over time.

Recommended: Savings Goal Calculator

Investing and Retirement Myths Debunked

Here’s what is a common misconception about finances: that you need a lot of money to invest. Anyone can invest well, even starting with a small amount, and robo-advisors can help automate the process for you. On the topic of investing, it’s also a misconception that you don’t have to think about retirement until later. You’re actually likely to save more effectively when you start early (again, even with small amounts) than if you put more money in for a shorter period of time.

Another myth is that you don’t need to save for retirement because you can live off Social Security payments. However, many people find that those payments are not enough when they reach retirement age, especially with rising healthcare costs.

Debt and Credit Card Myths Debunked

A debt myth is that all debt is bad. Some kinds of debt, such as mortgages, charge relatively low interest and allow you to build wealth. However, when it comes to credit cards, there are some myths to conquer. For example, some people may believe that they should only pay the minimum amount on their monthly bill. This amount is the bare minimum, and paying just that can wind up locking you into a debt trap, without building up funds in your bank account because you’re struggling to pay off your debt.

Mindset and Lifestyle Myths Debunked

A mindset and lifestyle myth about money to debunk is that making more money means you’re wealthy. It might be true, but if you allow your spending to rise with every raise at work or money windfall, you could wind up less wealthy than you were before.

This is considered lifestyle creep. An example is when you get a new job and earn more, you go out and, say, lease a luxury car rather than putting the extra money into savings or investing. You live more lavishly, but you could be shortchanging your future.

How to Develop a Health Money Mindset

To develop a healthy money mindset, it’s helpful to devote some time and energy to learning how to manage your money well. That could mean reading up on finances, listening to podcasts, or taking an online course.

Goal setting is important, too. By establishing your short-, medium, and long-term goals, you can begin working toward achieving them. Budgeting well and talking with trusted friends and relatives for advice can help you get on the right track. Automating your savings so money seamlessly gets transferred into a savings account can be a smart move, too. You might also work with a financial planner or a financial therapist to help you in your money journey.

The Takeaway

Myths about money can stand in the way of your making the most of your finances. By avoiding these misconceptions, you’ll be better able to take control of your cash, budget, save, and invest wisely. These moves can not only help you achieve your goals, they can enhance your peace of mind, too.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy 3.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings with eligible direct deposit.

FAQ

What is the biggest misconception people have about money?

There are many negative beliefs about money. Some include believing only rich people should invest their funds and that a person doesn’t need to think about retirement saving when they are young. These misconceptions can keep people from reaching their financial goals.

Is it true that you need money to make money?

While having money can help you make money, it’s not a requirement. By budgeting well and saving regularly (even small amounts), you can work toward generating wealth. A person who makes $50,000 could be wealthier than one who makes a multiple of that if they manage their money more wisely.

Why is it so hard to talk about personal finances?

It can be hard to talk about personal finances because many people are raised with the belief that one should never discuss money. It’s a myth about money that it’s a taboo topic. Unfortunately, this secrecy leads people not to share information that could help one another manage money better. Also, typically financial management skills aren’t taught in school, so many people clam up about the topic since they feel ignorant about it.

What’s a simple first step to fix my money mindset?

Often, the simple first step to fix your money mindset is to think about and recognize your attitudes. Do online research about money management and talk to friends whose money management you respect. Look at the interest rates on your credit card and student loans, try budgeting apps, and take other small steps that begin to put you in the driver’s seat financially rather than believing prevailing wisdom.

Maybe you think that there’s no point saving for retirement until you’re older or that investing is only for the rich. By being honest about your beliefs and then working to educate yourself and take steps toward financial management, you can fix your money mindset.

Is carrying a small credit card balance good for my score?

If you’ve wondered about what are some common money misconceptions, this is one! Carrying a balance doesn’t build your credit score. Among the habits that help maintain and build your credit score are always paying your card on time and keeping your credit utilization ratio (your balance vs. your credit limit) as low as possible. Under 30%, if not under 10%, is considered a good level.


Photo credit: iStock/baona

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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student with glasses

The Impact of Student Loan Debt on the Economy

Unpaid student loans can take a significant toll on personal finances. For millions of Americans, outstanding student debt means years of ongoing payments, often averaging hundreds of dollars per month. It can be hard to balance paying back what’s owed on student loans while meeting immediate expenses and pursuing long-term financial goals.

But the impact student loan debt has on the economy goes deeper than dinging individuals’ bank accounts — it impacts entire economic sectors. Here’s how student debt affects the economy, plus ways borrowers can pay off their loans faster.

Key Points

•   Student loan debt limits the disposable income of borrowers, leading to decreased spending on goods and services, which can slow economic growth.

•   High debt levels often delay homeownership, marriage, and starting a family, affecting long-term economic stability and consumer markets.

•   Borrowers are less likely to save for retirement or emergencies, which can lead to financial vulnerability and reduced economic resilience.

•   The burden of student loans can influence career decisions, pushing graduates towards higher-paying jobs rather than pursuing their passions or contributing to less lucrative but essential sectors.

•   Ways to pay off student loans quickly include making more than the minimum payment due, pursuing loan forgiveness programs, or refinancing their student loans.

Understanding How Many Americans Have Student Loans

For a comprehensive view of student loan debt and the economy, it’s useful to know just how much money is owed by borrowers across the U.S. in educational debt. In 2025, the cumulative total of student loan debt in the U.S. is nearly $1.8 trillion.

This educational debt load affects tens of millions of Americans. More than 42 million borrowers have federal student loan debt, with an average balance per individual of $38,375. To obtain a bachelor’s degree, the average public university student takes out almost $32,000 in undergraduate student loans.

For those with master’s degrees, student loan debt is even higher. The average master’s degree holder’s student loan debt is $84,203, which is more than double the average student debt balance.

Given these massive amounts, it becomes clearer how the U.S. college student loan debt crisis and the economy are enmeshed.

Demographics Most Affected by Student Loan Debt

The amount of student loan debt a borrower has varies by a number of demographic factors, including the level of education they attain, with individuals with graduate student loans owing more, as well as their race, income level, and gender. For instance, more women than men have student loan debt and black student loan holders tend to owe more than white borrowers, according to the Education Data Initiative (EDI).

Age is also a factor that can significantly affect student loan debt.

Age Groups Carrying the Most Debt

Borrowers under age 40 owe 54.5% of student loan debt, the EDI reports. While those in their 30s owe 32.5% of the student loan debt (or $517.45 billion in loans), student loan borrowers ages 18 to 29 are the age group most likely to have debt: One in four borrowers in this group owes student loan debt.

Older adults are also struggling with debt from their college years. In fact, adults ages 50 to 61 have an average student loan debt of $46,790, which is the highest student loan debt per borrower.

Here’s how student loan debt breaks down among age groups:

Age

Average student loan debt

18 to 29 $23,795
30 to 39 $42,014
40 to 49 $44,798
50 to 61 $46,790

Reviewing Effects of Student Loan Debt on the Economy

If the total amount of student loan debt held by Americans sounds staggering, that’s because it is. That total — $1.777 trillion — is more than the GDP of countries such as Australia, Spain, and South Korea.

With these numbers in mind, let’s dive deeper into the impact this massive amount of educational debt has on the U.S. economy.

Does Student Loan Debt Hamper Spending?

For those paying off a student loan, the average student loan payment for bachelor’s degree-holders is $336. Those with a master’s degree pay $842 per month, on average. For many — especially those embarking on a career and earning an entry-level salary — this ongoing financial obligation can put a serious dent in funds they could otherwise spend elsewhere.

Student loan repayments can take a big chunk of the money that individuals have available each month for buying, investing, saving, or starting a business.

Here’s why: More money spent paying back student loans means less money for consumer spending and saving. Consumer-driven economies grow when people spend their hard-earned money. If people are struggling to pay off their student loans, they’ll have less money to spend on purchases that help fuel the economy, businesses, and the workforce. The more individuals there are who are struggling to pay off loans, the greater this economic dampening effect that occurs.

During periods that require economic resilience, such as in a recession, reduced spending can be especially harmful. On the flipside, consumer spending can help to stimulate a floundering economy, possibly mitigating or reversing sudden downturns in specific sectors.

When spending doesn’t happen during a downturn, it can take longer for the economy as a whole to bounce back. And for those with student debt, it can also be harder to weather a financial crisis, compounding the pain of higher unemployment and lower spending.

Recommended: How Do Student Loans Work?

How Do Student Loans Affect the Housing Market?

With less money to spend, it’s no surprise that people with student loans have fewer funds for big ticket items, such as buying a home. According to the EDI, 29% of borrowers with student loan debt say their debt has prevented them from owning a home, and 51% of those who are currently renting say their debt prevents them from buying a place of their own.

Because home ownership is a major driver of wealth accumulation, delaying homeownership can impact an individual’s net worth for decades to come.

How Do Student Loans Stifle Entrepreneurship?

Small businesses contribute to the economy in major ways. In fact, they’re responsible for 1.5 million jobs annually, accounting for 64% of all new jobs. Small businesses employ 61.7 million people, which is almost 46% of the private sector workforce.

Future business owners who are saddled with student loan debt may not be able to turn to traditional means of financing, such as small business loans. It can be harder to get approved for financing when your debt-to-income ratio is high due to loans.

And when an individual with student debt does become an entrepreneur, they’re at risk of falling behind on student loan payments if their income decreases as they work to launch their business.

Recommended: Smart Strategies to Lower Your Student Loan Payments

Paying Off Student Loans Can Benefit Individuals and the Economy

When examining student loan debt and the economy, it may be helpful for borrowers to research additional ways to pay off existing student loans — both for their own financial well-being and the future growth of the U.S. economy as a whole.

Here are some strategies that could help those with outstanding student debt to pay down their student loans faster.

Paying More than the Minimum Due

Student loan interest generally accrues over time. In most cases, the longer student loan debt goes unpaid, the more the borrower will owe, as unpaid interest gets added to the base dollar amount that had been borrowed from the lender. This is called compounding, and most student loans compound their interest daily. Our student loan calculator can help you see exactly how much you’re spending on interest over the life of the loan.

Many lenders allow borrowers the option to submit a minimum payment. In the short term, paying a lower amount per month can free up some income or cash. But paying the minimum does little or nothing to tackle the outstanding loan balance — typically, the borrower is just paying the accruing interest.

Paying more than the minimum can help reduce the length of time it will take to pay off an existing student loan, shrinking the principal balance as well as the amount of interest paid during the life of the loan. You can ask your lender to apply the additional payment to the principle of the loan, which can help reduce the amount you pay in interest over the life of the loan.

While increasing monthly payments may not be manageable for every individual, paying a little extra when possible can help borrowers eliminate student debt faster. If nothing else, borrowers may want to apply occasional windfalls, such as a work bonus or tax refund, toward their outstanding student debt.

Applying for Loan Forgiveness

Under some circumstances, the government will forgive federal student loans, essentially canceling out the remaining debt after a specific set of conditions have been met.

Some teachers and public servants are among the groups that may be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness programs, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). This program is available to qualifying federal student loan borrowers who work in public service for an eligible non-profit or government organization and who make a qualifying number of payments on an eligible repayment plan.

Some states and other organizations also offer forgiveness, especially for those in the healthcare field. There are also military forgiveness programs. Check to see what forgiveness programs are available that you might be eligible for.

Refinancing Student Loans

Refinancing student loans with a private lender may result in lower interest rates and/or the ability to pay off what’s owed in a shorter amount of time.

Student loan refinancing replaces outstanding student loans with a new loan. The new loan can have different terms and ideally, a lower interest rate.

However, it’s important to know that refinancing federal student loans with a private lender means that the borrower will forfeit federal benefits, such as access to income-driven repayment plans and federal public service forgiveness programs.

Budgeting and Financial Planning for Faster Repayment

Finally, to help pay off your student loans faster, examine your budget carefully. Track your spending and expenses and look for areas where you can cut back. For instance, maybe you can eat home more often to save on restaurant bills, or eliminate one of your streaming services — or both. You can then apply the money you save to your student loan payments.

Another step that could help: automating your monthly payments. That way, you can avoid any late fees. Plus, some lenders offer interest rate discounts to borrowers who enroll in auto pay.

The Takeaway

Student loan debt affects the economy in a number of different ways. Borrowers with student loan debt may have to reduce their consumer spending and delay buying a home or starting a business, for example, which can affect the broader economy.

Fortunately, there are methods borrowers can use to help manage student debt, such as paying more than the minimum amount due, budgeting for faster repayment, looking into student loan forgiveness programs, and considering student loan refinancing.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.


With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

How does student loan debt affect life?

Student loan debt can impact life significantly, affecting financial stability, mental health, and major life decisions. It may delay homeownership, marriage, and starting a family, and can cause stress and anxiety. High debt levels may also limit career choices and savings for retirement.

How does being in debt affect the economy?

Being in debt can strain personal finances and thus reduce consumer spending and savings. This can slow economic growth, as consumer spending is a key driver. High levels of debt can also lead to increased student loan default rates, affecting financial institutions and potentially causing broader economic instability.

How many Americans have student loans?

Almost 43 million million Americans have student loans, collectively owing over $1.7 trillion. This widespread debt affects a significant portion of the population, impacting their financial decisions and economic contributions.

What economic sectors are most impacted by student loan debt?

The economic sectors most impacted by student loan debt include consumer spending, since borrowers with high student loan debt may cut back on spending; housing, because student loan debt makes it more difficult for many student loan holders to save for a down payment or qualify for a mortgage; and entrepreneurship since those with student loan debt may have a tough time qualifying for financing, including small business loans.

Can widespread student loan forgiveness boost the economy?

It’s not known whether widespread student loan forgiveness could boost the economy and there is a lot of debate about the effect it might have. Some economists think widespread forgiveness could provide an economic boost because it would increase consumer spending, drive sales of housing, and help with the launch of new businesses. Other economists believe the impact might be small, that forgiving student loans would be a huge cost to the federal government, and that forgiveness would be unfair to borrowers who have already repaid their loans.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers.
Learn more at SoFi.com/eligibility. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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A Guide to Common Bank Scams, Frauds, and How to Avoid Them

Consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase over reported losses in 2023, according to the latest Federal Trade Commission data. Bank scams, from overpayment ruses to phishing schemes, are part o this problem. Scammers often use savvy tactics to commit fraud that make it hard to cancel or reverse the transaction.

For this reason, one of the best ways to protect your hard-earned cash is to be aware of what’s out there. Learn what the most common online banking scams are and how to spot and avoid them.

Key Points

•   Online bank scams are increasingly sophisticated, with consumers losing over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.

•   Overpayment scams involve fraudulent checks where sellers are tricked into refunding excess amounts.

•   Employment scams exploit the victim’s eagerness to work, leading to financial losses when the fake payment bounces.

•   Unsolicited check fraud can trap recipients into unwanted contracts through fine print on the checks.

•   Phishing scams mimic communications from trusted entities to steal personal information.

How to Recognize the Red Flags of a Scam

While today’s scammers are increasingly sophisticated, there are some red flags that can give them away. Be on alert for these clues that you may be dealing with a scammer.

•   You need to act urgently.

•   You’re threatened with law enforcement or a government agency action.

•   You’re told to purchase gift cards and provide codes as a form of payment.

•   You need to mobile deposit a check and then transfer cash from your account to the person or company that wrote the check.

Recommended: How to Verify a Check

Common Scams Involving Fake Payments and Checks

Knowing what online banking scams are currently circulating can help you avoid enduring losses. Consider these examples of popular ways scammers are operating using fake payments.

Overpayment Scams

If you sell products online, you could inadvertently be hoodwinked by this popular scam. Here, the fraudster will pose as a buyer and send you a check or money order for more than the purchase price. Then, they’ll ask you to refund the difference either through an online payment or wire transfer. But the original payment type was fraudulent, meaning you lose the refunded money. If you already sent the item you “sold” them, you’ll lose that too. But it doesn’t end there: You’ll likely also be on the hook for a returned item fee from the bank.

Unsolicited Check Fraud

This banking scam involves a check you get in the mail. It might be described as a “rebate check,” a refund on an overpayment, or prize money for a contest you’ve won, even though you don’t remember entering one. You deposit it into the bank — why not?

Here’s why: There may be some (very) fine print on the front or back of the check stating that by cashing the check you are entering into a legally binding contract — one you likely don’t want to enter. It might be a membership with monthly fees, a loan, or other long-term commitment that ends up costing you far more than the “free” check you deposited.

Fake Employment Offers

A job scammer posts an enticing ad on a job board. The job they’re offering sounds too tempting to pass up. It might be a work-from-home set-up, the chance to be a mystery shopper, or a job that pays a full-time salary for part-time work. Before the employer can onboard you, however, you’ll need to pay a fee or supply your bank account information and other personal details so they can pay you. It’s all a front to get you to part with your money.

Recommended: Different Types of Bank Account Fraud to Look Out For

Common Scams Involving Impersonation and Deception

Also be aware of scams that aim to trick you into parting with money by using fake identities and other ruses.

Phishing, Smishing, and Vishing Scams

Phishing scams are particularly tricky because they come dressed as emails or texts from trusted companies you already know. The message may even mention suspicious activity on your bank account.

Typically, you need to click on a link in the email or text, and then complete an action like confirming personal information. When you click through, it usually looks like the website from your bank or the company in question. So you tap in the required information (which may be a password, account numbers, or some other type of personal information). The scammers now have your sensitive data and your account security is at risk.

In addition to bank phishing scams in general, there are smishing and vishing. These are specific kinds of phishing: Smishing using fake text messages to trick consumers into revealing financial details, and vishing using deceptive voicemails or phone calls to commit a scam.

Bank and Government Imposter Scams

A fraudster will contact you by phone, email, or text posing as a representative from a government or law enforcement agency (like the IRS, Medicare, or the FBI). They may ask you to provide personal information needed to issue a payment (like for a tax refund) or tell you that you owe money and need to make a payment immediately. The imposter could even threaten to put you in jail if you don’t reveal your personal information or send payment. It’s worth noting that scam texts during tax season, claiming to be from the IRS, are quite prevalent.

Charity Scams

Sadly, many scammers play on people’s compassion, kindness, and generosity to line their own pockets. A charity scammer might contact you by phone, email, or ringing your doorbell. They claim to represent a real (or real-sounding organization) and tell you in detail about an urgent need or crisis. They often flash legit-looking IDs.

You want to help, so you give them cash, a check, or, perhaps, your credit card or bank account information for a recurring donation. Unfortunately, they aren’t connected to any type of nonprofit organization and you’ve given funds or sensitive financial information to a scammer.

Recommended: Wire Transfer Scams

Common Scams Targeting Your Account Access

There are also scams that attempt to deceive you into revealing your confidential information so the scammer can steal your money or commit identity theft.

Unauthorized Withdrawal Scams

Also known as automatic debit scams, these involve unauthorized withdrawals from your bank account — typically checking accounts. Scammers get access to your bank account numbers through fraudulent telemarketer calls or by stealing them from unsecured websites when you sign up for a free trial.

Once a scammer has access to your account information, they set up an automatic withdrawal. When your bank receives the draft, they transfer money from your checking account to pay the scammer. Unless you pay close attention to your daily bank transactions, you may not notice the scam until much later.

Tech Support and Remote Access Scams

In tech support and remote access scams, an individual may contact you from “your computer support team,” “your online bank,” or other phony identity. They claim that there’s an urgent problem with your computer or your online banking account and then con you into either revealing your sensitive information or else paying them (perhaps by a wire transfer) for “saving” you by fixing your technology or account.

What to Do Immediately If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

If you believe a scammer made an unauthorized transfer from your checking or savings account, contact your bank as soon as possible. Let them know it was an unauthorized debit or withdrawal and request that they freeze and reverse the transaction and give you your money back. It isn’t guaranteed that this will work; if the transfer has been completed, it can be hard or even impossible to get the funds back.

If you gave a scammer your username and password, you’ll want to create a new, strong password. If you use the same password anywhere else, change it there, too.

If you gave a scammer your Social Security number, you can go to IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps to take, including how to monitor your credit.

Will My Bank Refund Scammed Money?

As noted above, banks may not always refund scammed money. If someone stole your cash by making an unauthorized payment, your bank, credit union, or payment app may have to reimburse you. (Say the scammer emptied out your checking account; you might be able to get that money paid back.) That could make recovering from a scam somewhat easier.

But if you are deceived into sending money to someone (maybe to pay them for “fixing” your computer or to refund them for an alleged overpayment), financial institutions are not generally required to reimburse victims. However, it can still be wise to report identity theft or fraud so authorities can take action and possibly spare others.

Understanding Authorized vs Unauthorized Transactions

The example above illustrates the difference between unauthorized and authorized transactions. When money is siphoned away without your permission, it is considered unauthorized and refundable.

If, however, you willingly provide payment or access to your accounts because you have been duped by a savvy scammer, then it is considered an authorized transaction. In this case, you may not be reimbursed.

How Regulation E Offers Protection

Regulation E, which is a federal regulation, protects consumers from fraudulent and incorrect electronic fund transfers (EFTs) to or from their bank accounts. More specifically, it provides a process for disputing unauthorized or erroneous electronic transactions (perhaps an unapproved debit card withdrawal). It also limits a consumer’s liability for a lost or stolen debit card.

The Takeaway

Scammers cheated consumers of $12.5 billion in the most recent year studied. That figure reflects how skillful scammers can be and how believable their ruses are. Fortunately, by knowing the red flags and all the latest scams for stealing your hard-earned cash, you can protect yourself and your bank account.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy 3.30% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings with eligible direct deposit.

FAQ

How can I tell if a website is a scam?

When trying to determine if a website is a scam, check for “https” or a lock symbol at the start of the url, which indicates it’s secure. Also look for misspellings in the URL, like “g00gle.com” vs. “google.com.” Also look for websites that end with an unexpected extension, such as “citi.net” vs. “citi.com.”

What is the difference between fraud and a scam?

While the terms “fraud” and “scam” are often used interchangeably. Fraud is a broad term that describes any deliberate deception, such as online bank fraud, that is implemented to achieve financial or personal gain. A scam is a subset of this, and involves a fraudster using manipulative schemes for financial gain.

Will a bank ask for my password or 2FA code?

Simply put, a bank will very, very rarely ask for your password, a multifactor authentication code, PIN, or other financial credentials. Being asked for that is a red flag that you may be dealing with a scammer.

How can I report a scam?

To report a scam, you should let any financial institution involved know ASAP, as well as let the local authorities, FTC (Federal Trade Commission), and FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center know. Doing so can help you as you seek restitution and also help others by potentially catching the scammer.

Besides my bank, who else should I report the scam to?

In addition to letting your bank know that you have encountered a scam, you can also report it to local authorities (the police, your state attorney general) as well as federal authorities such as the FTC and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.


Photo credit: iStock/eggeeggjiew

SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

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