M&T Financial Group (Student Debt Relief Group)

Last Updated: June 11, 2018

Federal Trade Commission, Plaintiff, v M&T Financial Group, a corporation, also doing business as StuDebt, Student Debt Relief Group, SDRG, Student Loan Relief Counselors, SLRC, and Capital Advocates Group; American Counseling Center Corp., a corporation, also doing business as StuDebt, Student Debt Relief Group, SDRG, Student Loan Relief Counselors, SLRC, and Capital Advocates Group; and Salar Tahour, individually, and as an officer of M&T Financial Group and American Counseling Center Corp., Defendants.

FTC Matter/File Number: 172 3065 X170051

Civil Action Number: 2:17-cv-06855-ODW-PLA

Enforcement Type: Federal Injunctions

Federal Court: Central District of California

Case Summary

In June 2018, the operators of a Los Angeles-based student loan debt relief scam agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they falsely claimed to be affiliated with the Department of Education, charged consumers illegal upfront fees, and collected monthly fees they claimed would be credited toward consumers’ student loans. In February 2021, the FTC sent refunds totaling to people who lost money as a result of the scam.

Case Timeline

February 10, 2021

PRESS RELEASE: FTC Sends More than $1.7 Million in Refunds to People who Lost Money to Student Loan Debt Relief Scam

June 11, 2018

Stipulated Order For Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment, As Approved by the United States District Court (234.72 KB)

Stipulation for Entry of Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment(424.96 KB)

PRESS RELEASE: Student Loan Debt Relief Scam Operators Agree to Settle FTC Charges

October 13, 2017

Complaint for Permanent Injunction and Other Equitable Relief (Filed On September 18, 2017)(4.31 MB)

Memorandum in Support of Plaintiff’s Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order with Asset Freeze, Appointment of a Receiver, Other Equitable Relief, and Order to Show Cause Why a Preliminary Injunction Should Not Issue (Seal Lifted) (Filed On September 18, 2017) (8.11 MB)

Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order with Asset Freeze, Appointment of a Receiver, Other Equitable Relief, and Order to Show Cause Why a Preliminary Injunction Should Not Issue (Seal Lifted) (Issued On September 19, 2017) (718.01 KB)

Stipulated Preliminary Injunction Against Defendants M&T Financial Group, American Counseling Center Corp., and Salar Tahour, Prohibiting A Variety of Misrepresentations and Other Deceptive or Unfair Practices, and Imposing An Asset Freeze and Other Relief (Issued On October 10, 2017)(148.56 KB)

PRESS RELEASE: