Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and his main responsibilities include managing and monitoring client portfolios, researching and monitoring our mutual fund investments, financial planning and reviewing portfolios with clients. Prior to joining our team, Mark was involved in portfolio and wealth management at Charles Schwab & Co. and Clarity Financial, LLC.
Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Central College.
Outside of my professional career I am passionate about: I am passionate about living life and fully engaging in many activities; tennis, pickleball, working out, family, yard work, photography, and football.
What drew you to the wealth management industry? What drew me into wealth management was being able to work in an industry that centered on investing and having your money working for you.
What is the most rewarding part of being a BFSG Team Member? The teamwork, collaboration, and being around great people.
The one word or phrase that best describes me is: The word that best describes me would be Disciplined.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and how might this apply to your role here at BFSG? Work hard and do the right thing even when no one is watching.
This past June, the Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for qualified borrowers. As a result, millions of student loan borrowers are scheduled to start paying back their loans in October after a three-and-a-half-year reprieve.
Fraudsters and scam artists have already begun to prey on vulnerable borrowers by posing as legitimate debt relief companies, promising to help them repay their loans. Many of them use aggressive tactics, make false claims, and charge unnecessary fees. If you are getting ready to repay your student loans, you may be contacted by companies offering to help you. Before you act, here are some signs that you might be dealing with a student loan repayment scam.
Up-front or monthly fees
Student loan repayment scams often try to charge an up-front or monthly fee for programs that you can normally access for free. It’s important to remember that you do not have to pay anyone to help you manage your student loans. Student loan forgiveness, discharge, consolidation, forbearance, and deferment are some of the free programs offered by most loan servicers.
High-pressure tactics
Some scam artists will use high-pressure tactics to try to get you to take advantage of an offer or program. They may instruct you to act immediately or say that your student loan has been flagged. They may even threaten you with legal action or wage garnishment. A legitimate company will never use these types of aggressive tactics or pressure you to act quickly when contacting you about your student loan repayment options.
Requests for personal and/or financial information
A scammer may ask you for personal and/or financial information, such as your Social Security or bank account number or your Federal Student Aid (FSA) login information. Never share your personal or financial information with anyone via email, text message, or over the phone.
False claims of affiliation
Scam artists may also falsely claim to be affiliated with your loan servicer or an official organization, such as the U.S. Department of Education. Never use the contact information provided in an email, text, or voice message from an unknown sender, because it may be tied to a scam. Only use the contact information that is provided on your loan servicer’s website or billing statement.
Attempts to come between you and your loan servicer
Be wary of any company that attempts to come between you and your loan servicer. Scam artists may do this by instructing you to make your loan payments directly to them or by asking you to communicate with them instead of your loan servicer. Always refer to your loan servicer when making payments on your student loans and contact them directly with any questions about your loans or loan repayment.
If you are ever the victim of a student loan repayment scam, be sure to report it immediately to your student loan servicer, the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and your state’s attorney general.
Prepared by Broadridge. Edited by BFSG. Copyright 2023.
Disclosure: BFSG does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to BFSG’s website or blog or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility for any such content. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Company), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s). Please see important disclosure information here.
*Please Note: Limitations. The scope of services to be provided depends upon the terms of the engagement, and the specific requests and needs of the client. BFSG does not serve as an attorney, accountant, or insurance agent. BFSG does not prepare legal documents or tax returns, nor does it sell insurance products. Please Also Note: Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended and/or undertaken by BFSG) or any financial planning or consulting services, will be profitable, equal any historical performance level(s), or prove successful.
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