The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken decisive action against NERD Solutions Inc. and ED REF Inc., along with their operators Natalie Rodriguez and Pablo Ortiz, by obtaining a temporary restraining order. The defendants are accused of running a deceptive student loan debt relief scheme that falsely claimed affiliation with the U.S. Department of Education.

According to the FTC's complaint, the operation has been active since at least February 2022, targeting consumers through cold calls, many of whom are registered on the National Do Not Call list. The defendants allegedly misrepresented their services, promising non-existent student loan forgiveness in exchange for illegal upfront fees that could reach as high as $1,400.

The complaint highlights that the operators have collected approximately $8.8 million from vulnerable consumers already struggling with significant student loan debt. The defendants face charges for violating multiple laws, including the FTC Act and the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

The FTC expressed gratitude to the Ohio Office of the Attorney General for their assistance in the investigation. The Commission's vote to file the complaint was unanimous, and the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California issued the temporary restraining order on April 13, 2026.