. >> reporter: when sharon brown got sick, she was falling behind on her loans. then she heard this ad. >> how you could potentially have the remaining balance on your student loan debt forgiven. >> reporter: she called and the company told her she could go over 400 to $49 a month. >> everything sounded great, but i was still just a little cautious because they were requesting funds up front. >> reporter: that, said illinois attorney general lisa madigan, is a scam. one sharon brown didn't fall for. >> they claim they are experts who can cut your student loan in half or have it forgiven, but of course the scammers want you to give them your credit card number or bank accountumr. >> repoer: illinois is the first in the nation file suit against two companies accused of telling students to help reduce debt. >> never pay for information about how to pay back your student loans. >> reporter: good information for 22-year-old grad student kirsten wood who will owe 195,0$195,000 when she graduate. >> i plan to be in debt the majority of my life. >> more than 40 million p