June 09, 2004Student Loan ConsolidationJust now, a student loan consolidation pop-up appeared on my computer. I happen to think that student loan consolidation is an important subject. But I'm just not sure why this appeared in front of my face at this very moment. I've been fastidious about running my new favorite programs to avoid seeing things like this. So when an advertisement for student loan consolidation hit my screen, I figured I'd go and check it out. The pop--with a blazing reversed headline that read "Student Loan Refinancing" with a promise to reduce my payments by $100 to $500 per month"--took me directly to a form that sought to procure information. The student loan consolidation eligibility form--which boasted that "The Next 2 Minutes Could Save You Hundreds of Dollars" and promised a whole bunch of things. It all smelled bad, but I was taken aback by one key field ... I suppose that they thought I would rest assured by the claims that "This is a free, U.S. Government program (no fees or other charges)" and that there were "No credit checks" and :"No pre-payment penalties". I guess they thought I would be happy to "have to write just one check each month for your student loans" and that my "payment will be reduced by as much as 60% each month" ... But I wasn't buying it. And I definitely didn't buy their claim that "All information is secure and confidential" ... not when the company tried to procure my social security number from a form spawned through an invasive adware pop-up window. I guess I was supposed to fall for the button that read "Am I Eligible? Find Out Instantly!" As if. To their credit (or not), the alleged student loan consolidation company stated that they would take the information without a social security number. But they would not take that information over the Internet without the SS#. Nope. If you wanted to check for eligibility without submitting that number, you had to call their toll-free number. I'm a lucky guy. I don't have to worry about a whole bunch of student loans hanging over my head. Then again, I'm not a 7-Series BMW driving orthopedic surgeon, either. (Oh wait, those guys don't have to worry about student loan consolidation, either.) If you believe that student loan consolidation might make sense for you, look for one that's reputable. Not one that advertises via spyware. Advertisers need to learn that there's a right way and a wrong way to place ads on the Internet. Placing ads via invasive adware/spyware pop-up schemes is the wrong way--whether it's for student loan consolidation, dating services, or what have you ... Student Loan Consolidation Links Posted by geekbooks at June 9, 2004 06:09 AM |
