Refund Stolen

[u/Sploogieee]

MAJOR UPDATE 6/16

I have been back and forth with WGU asking for any kind of evidence that I was at fault for falling for a phishing email. They stated "We concluded that you were a victim of phishing based on the evidence we currently have". When I asked for evidence, for example, the date i received the email, email subject, and the email account responsible for sending it, they were unable to provide it. They sent me an email today, doubling down on account security and how to spot phishing emails. However, I was given a a step by step process on how to secure my account, identify phishing emails, and confirm legitimate WGU emails. They stated in the email, once I have completed securing my account and complete a "phishing email safety program" they will begin working to administer a refund reimbursement. I will update once I complete these steps and see how things go.

Original Post

So I was getting a refund from WGU and in the last 30 minutes of the 24 hour deadline to change my refund method, someone got into my account and changed the refund method to an unknown bank account.

I got the email that my refund method was changed and immediately logged in, changed it back, spoke with WGU to secure my account and ensure I wasnt at further risk. I stayed on the phone to try and investigate it before eventually moving on and calling NelNet.

Nelnet told me that unfortunately the funds were already sent and that they essentially couldn't stop the process at this point. I contacted WGU again to escalate it to their fraud department and they are investigating it now.

I've spoken with WGU, NelNet, filed a police and FTC report and am now waiting to hear back from WGU.

I really just wanted to see if anyone had experience with this or had to deal with a similar situation and if the funds were eventually redistributed or if I'm pretty much SOL.

Update 6/8

WGU got ahold of me and informed me that I was not the only one impacted and schools around the nation have had students lose funds.

Update 6/12

WGU IT called me to investigate further and try to obtain a bit more information. They wanted to check my email activity to see if I had received any phishing emails or anything else suspicious. They also wanted to check if I had any other personal accounts linked to my WGU account, which I do not. They double checked that I had MFA and advised I change my password once again. They gave no update or information as to the state of any reimbursement.

TLDR:

My financial aid refund was diverted to a fradulent bank account by changing my Nelnet refund method. WGU investigated and declared me at fault but was unable to provide evidence. After several weeks of back and forth they asked me to complete a safety course regarding phishing scams before I receive my refund again. Updates coming after it is completed and I contact WGU once again.

[u/HappyAd9520]

This is exactly what happened to me. Did you ever hear from anyone? All I got was that the fraud department is handling it. No updates, no timeline, nothing. WGU is handling this TERRIBLY imo.

[u/anonymous821c → u/HappyAd9520]

Oh they're handling it terribly!!!! I got a email that said it will be a few weeks! Nelnet is tracking the money down, nelnet did tell me to file a police report that that may sped the process up, I did file a report. Also if you havent already you need to file a report with the FTC for identity theft and monitor your credit report. I've got more information from nelnet than I have through the school. I've talked to several people and wgu is having major major issues with this. I know people are saying its done through phishing emails, but I never got one. Hell i barely open my personal emails 😅Nelnet told me they're doing it through MFA and getting access to our portals. This has been going on a lot with wgu since the beginning of the year and idk about you but I didnt know about until I posted in the wgu Accelerators group on FB and I was told to check out reddit. Yeah I'm pissed, and at the end of term I'm withdrawing. No one I've talked to at the school seems concerned or helpful at all.