LAS VEGAS, NV – The con artists at Superior Servicing, LLC, and their alleged ringleaders, Eric Caldwell and David Hernandez, are facing the music after a brazen scheme to prey on desperate student loan borrowers unraveled thanks to a Federal Trade Commission crackdown. For months, these vultures allegedly posed as representatives of the U.S. Department of Education, raking in millions from vulnerable Americans already drowning in debt.
The operation, exposed by the FTC, wasn’t about legitimate assistance; it was a calculated hustle built on deception and illegal advance fees. Investigators say Caldwell and Hernandez weren’t just managers – they were the architects of a sophisticated fraud, using shell companies like Sunrise Solutions USA LLC, Alumni Advantage LLC, Student Processing Center Group LLC, SPCTWO LLC, and Accredit LLC to hide their tracks and maximize profits.
Impersonation and Exploitation
The FTC’s complaint details a chilling pattern of impersonation. Superior Servicing allegedly convinced consumers they were affiliated with the Department of Education, creating a false sense of trust before demanding upfront payments for services they either couldn’t or wouldn’t deliver. This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding; it was a deliberate attempt to exploit the anxieties of people struggling with student loan burdens.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada initially hit Superior Servicing with a temporary restraining order on November 22, 2024, followed by a preliminary injunction on December 6, 2024 – a sign the court was taking the allegations seriously. But the FTC wasn’t stopping there. They broadened the scope of the investigation, bringing charges against Caldwell, Hernandez, and the network of corporate entities used to facilitate the scam.
Permanent Bans and Asset Seizure
The pressure paid off. In September 2025, the FTC announced a settlement that permanently bans Caldwell and Hernandez from the debt relief industry. They’ll also be forced to hand over their assets to compensate the victims of their scheme. Caldwell faces an additional ban from the telemarketing industry, while Hernandez is barred from violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule – a clear indication of the predatory tactics employed.
However, the fight isn’t over. The FTC’s legal battle continues against another individual, Merdjanian, and the remaining corporate defendants. GrimyTimes.com will continue to follow this case, exposing the individuals and companies who prey on the financially vulnerable. This case serves as a stark reminder: if something sounds too good to be true, especially when it comes to your money, it probably is.
Key Facts:
- Defendants: Eric Caldwell, David Hernandez, Superior Servicing LLC, Sunrise Solutions USA LLC, Alumni Advantage LLC, Student Processing Center Group LLC, SPCTWO LLC, Accredit LLC, and Merdjanian.
- Crime: Student loan debt relief fraud, impersonating the U.S. Department of Education, illegal advance fees.
- Location: District of Nevada
- Key Dates: Restraining order issued November 22, 2024; Preliminary injunction December 6, 2024; Settlement announced September 2025.
- Penalties: Permanent bans from debt relief and (for Caldwell) telemarketing industries; asset forfeiture.
Source: FTC.gov
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