Markets Wired

Three defendants in a student loan debt relief scheme have been banned from telemarketing and selling debt relief, and ordered to pay millions in resolution of Federal Trade Commission allegations that they deceived consumers by promising to reduce or eliminate consumers’ student loan debt.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California found that Brian Colombana, Impetus Enterprise, Inc., and Fig Tree & Co., LLC deceptively marketed student loan debt relief services to consumers and tricked them into paying illegal upfront fees by promising to reduce or eliminate their student loan debt, and then failed to deliver the promised debt relief.

The court entered judgments against the defendants totaling $10,708,206. The court also found that Colombana participated in the defendants’ illegal practices and knew or should have known of their misrepresentations to consumers. All three defendants are now permanently banned from selling debt relief products and services and telemarketing.

In 2019, the FTC obtained permanent injunctions and judgments against the other defendants in the case: Brenda Avitia-Pena, Jimmy Calderon and Capital Sun Investments, LLC, and Tuan Duong. The court’s February 27, 2020 order concludes the FTC’s recent litigation in this case.     

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.