GREAT LAKES

2018-05-03

Lynnfield, MA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-02

San Francisco, CA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: I called and set up a payment program where I would repay the highest-interest loans first. The lady on the phone when I called indicated that this is how it would work. This was 6 months ago. I log back on to my account to see that this is now what's happening ; they've been distributing my payments equally among the loans, not targeting the highest interest loan like I specifically set up. I called them back and they said that this is standard procedure and can't be changed. I am suspicious. I think it is fully within my right to choose which loan I want to repay first, but according to them I can not do this, i must repay in the way that they dictate ( spread out among the different loans and interest rates ). This seems pretty manipulative and abusive.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-02

NH

Getting a loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Fraudulent loan
Complaint: 2010 My Daughter was accepted to XXXX College. Not until we were at Parent/ student orientation day did they take me into a room and tell me they couldn't get enough money. I had another child in college and very little income. It was too late to go to any other school now. They made me sign a 7.9 % Parent loan and told me they would create a XXXX major for her bc she wanted XXXX college. I didn't know what I was doing or signing. I was confused then they cut me out of all of it. I cancelled her 2nd semester of living quarters based on School hand book dates and process. They threatened me and berated me how late it was and that so many girls were on the waiting list and now its too late to call them. I notified them within the time period before semester begins. My daughter was sick constantly there were intense heat and ventilation problems and she was in and out of XXXX appts. I complained and my Daughter chose to go to XXXX bc she stayed at school only once a week and was wasting time because they NEVER planned on giving her a XXXX major. They made her take courses that she already took in AP and was accepted as credits. I put in a formal complaint to school and met with people and they lied to me. I had dates, doctors appointments, school hand book I even wrote the Nun who is President and told her how they could do this to low income families. The worst part is in return NONE of my daughter credits after paying XXXX were good for a XXXX major at XXXX. How can private colleges do this to a single Mom on basically little income and another child attending college. I put in complaints to AG office, my local Congressmen and still proceeded to ask XXXX to return DORM room fees and classes they made her take over. Any school in Freshman year making kids take classes other than anything basic that can not be transferred to state school should be considered SCAMS. I do not want to pay that portion of my Parent loan. They used scare tactics, false promises then went back on their word in the school handbook. Thank you
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-02

Baresville, PA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-01

Lewisville, TX

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: My loan defaulted with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. The company has not made it easy for me to negotiate a repayment schedule and they also will not listen to my life situation. My loan defaulted, and I did not agree with the decision that the loan should go into default. I made a payment within the daily limit. Great Lakes has been sending communications about my student loans and default to an address that I was evicted from in XX/XX/2016 ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, TX XXXX ) and continues to call the address. My father also took fund from my account without my permission, further complicating my situation. My family lives there and they have no interest in helping me. I have not had a consistent home or phone service since. They had my tax refund " offset '' ( {$2.00} ), which I need to pay my rent NOW because I have been served a notice to vacate. I need my refund immediately so that I do not get evicted again, which will further damage my credit and just make my life even harder. Great Lakes has continued to apply fees ; and now that the loan has been in default I have tried to contact them and they did not give me ANY options until I found out how to write a complaint to the CFPB. When they found out I knew how to do this, they submitted a " hardship packet '' which takes THEIR average family income, which should not apply to me because I am in a " special '' circumstance. Great Lakes also refused to tell me which company I should put into a complaint with the CFPB, and they then refused to clarify who now serviced my loans, delaying me even further and further complicating my financial issues.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-30

Billerica, MA

Incorrect information on your report

Student loan: Private student loan

Information belongs to someone else
Complaint: There is an open student loan reported on my credit report that I never took out. When I contacted the companies both XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) they said there is no loan connected to my name or my social security number but they can't go in to change this and that I needed to go to the credit bureau.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-28

Superstition Mtn, AZ

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: My name is XXXX XXXX POA of XXXX XXXX. He took first out this student loan and 6 weeks before graduation was given an ultimatum to leave the school due to his personal issues outside of school so he did not get to finish school or graduate this was in the late XX/XX/XXXX. His loan is with ( Great Lakes ) and I have spoke many times regarding payments and the situation in our financial situation when speaking with Great Lakes they gave me a 60 forbarence and removed any payments due. Suddenly they drafted my account {$170.00} and with drew their promise as well as raise the payments way from what we can afford. I was trying to pay {$44.00} at this time and current am going through XXXX treatments I am his wife XXXX. XXXX has lost hours at work with no 40 hour weeks our rent as well increased substantially I have sent a new IDR with all attached over the internet in Great Lakes web sight continually they are sending my emails regarding filing out this application And payment but this was in a forbarence at the time with no update to the change all of this happened suddenly I feel that this student loan first is out of XXXX statutes as well as XXXX not being able to finish his education the constant calls to Great Lakes to resolve this and tell them we cant make payments at this time. We are trying to avoid a garnishment but Great Lakes is not upstanding and follows through after making arrangements. I need someone to now intercede and help me first with harassing emails Will not communicate on phone threatening. This is unacceptable, There are many issues reviving this student loan and I would like to take action on getting justice for Great Lakes harassment and the student loan it self should be null and void my reason is the age of loan the reasons XXXX hadnt finished his education financial hardships And at time he was told to leave school he was jailed due to a felony and then in about patient program issued by the courts he has XXXX as he is XXXX and XXXX and is working but not equipped to challenge this any longer
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-28

Philatelic Center, CA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Can't temporarily delay making payments
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I mailed a letter to Great Lakes stating that I can not afford payments of {$130.00} due to my current financial hardship. I told them I could only afford to pay at least {$75.00}. They responded back with a letter stating that they are unable to make any changes to my account and that I have to stay with my payments of {$130.00}. I then filed a compliant with them and I was told the same information that I have to keep my monthly payments at {$130.00}. On XX/XX/XXXX I mailed them a letter stating that my financial situation has not improved and that I need to stop my payments until I can afford them, which will be in the next year or too. I am trying my best to communicate with Great Lakes but they are no help to my financial situation at all.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-27

Coalinga, CA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Complaint: See Complaints XXXX & XXXX. This complaint is added on. I reiterate, my wages are getting garnished at $ XXXX/pay period $ XXXX/month. This is not my loan. Secondly, This is on the Department of Labor Website for California : The most that the Department of Education can garnish for a student loan is 15 % of your disposable income, but not more than 30 times the minimum wage. The garnishment paperwork states up to 25 % The minimum wage in California as of XX/XX/2018, is $ XXXX/hr, 30 times XXXX is {$330.00}, i am losing $ XXXX/pay period. Not sure if the 15 % is per pay period or per month. I need help immediately. I am submitting a Loan Discharge Application for False Certification to the US Department of Education.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-27

Chicago, IL

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-26

Glendale, CA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-25

Pinellas Park, FL

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: My complaint is more with the school XXXX XXXX at the university of XXXX XXXX. After graduating with an XXXX at a XXXX college we ( XXXX students ) are offered a 4year XXXX only degree at XXXX with courses costing at graduate cost but despite having all As if a portfolio isnt good enough, they make you take repeated courses at graduate cost. And if they still find you portfolio not good enough, despite having all good grades in courses they can kick you out pf the program and are forced to graduate with a XXXX in a field you never intended in the first place ( XXXX in XXXX XXXX ). We were sold on the dream of one day becoming XXXX and payed a higher price to go to school. I was very close to completing all my credit hours required for the program and despite completing my clases with good grades, I wasted my time and money. I borrowed so much money because fafsa wouldnt cover my tuition because we were forced to pay as graduates but forced to graduate with a XXXX in XXXX XXXX instead of a XXXX in XXXX. I seeked attorney advice but say its hard to sue public university.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-25

Camp Springs, MD

Attempts to collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Debt is not yours
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-23

Coalinga, CA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Complaint: Great Lakes Student Loans XXXX XXXX XXXX, is garnishing my wages through XXXX. All of my student loans are in forbearance or deferment. I am not sure where this came from. I can't get any information other than they are garnishing my wages for 15 % of net disposable income - $ XXXXpay period = $ XXXX/month.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-22

NY

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account status incorrect
Complaint: My account was reported as past due, however, I was approved for a forbearance after speaking with lender. The same is not shown on my credit report. I am requesting that this correction be made to my report as it is affecting my positive payment history and creditworthiness. Towards that end, I am also befuddled as to how this account is being managed. I have not received any correspondence from lender nor telephonic communication efforts. Had the same been given, I would have gone ahead and either made payment or requested a timely forbearance. It appears that lender is disinterested in collecting and more with affecting my creditworthiness. I would like to reach a resolution with lender as they said would mark my report as in a forbearance, however, they not reflected same in my credit report nor have they provided any documentation/ notice of the forbearance following my phone call with them.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-22

Belleville, NJ

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-21

Flushing, NY

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-21

De Soto, IA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Complaint: See attached letter. In summary, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX submitted an intentionally misleading response to a previous CFPB complaint, and continues to act in ways that violate both federal law and Constitutional right.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-21

Mabank, TX

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account information incorrect
Complaint: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX stated that I owe Student loans that I can't recall signing for. The student loans are definite a hardship to my credit report. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Practices are illegal and unfair. They garnished my wages without a court order in which is illegal on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act 15 USC 1692e 807 ( a ) ( 4 ) .They also did not validate the date by sending any written information which violated 15 USC 1692f 809 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ).
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-21

Taft, OH

Fraud or scam

Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service: Debt settlement

Complaint: I attempted to pay hundreds of dollars to this company assuming that they were going to help me with my students loans and when i attempt to contact the company the contact information was not reachable.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-18

Jupiter, FL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Complaint: ( 1 ) Excess payment seems to be applied incorrectly across two loans. I have been registered for the standard excess payment allocation since graduation, XX/XX/XXXX. However, a substantial fraction of excess payment has been applied to the principal of the lower-interest rate loan for several months. Numerical context : - Autopaying $ XXXX/mo since XX/XX/XXXX. - Total Scheduled Monthly Payment is $ XXXX/mo. - One loan with period beginning XX/XX/XXXX, disbursed $ XXXX@ 5.96 % fixed, according to NSLDS student data extract ( not available from Great Lakes or from master promissory note ) Scheduled Monthly Payment is {$43.00}. - One loan with period beginning XX/XX/XXXX, disbursed $ XXXX@ 5.59 % fixed, according to NSLDS student data extract ( not available from Great Lakes or from master promissory note ) Scheduled Monthly Payment is {$280.00}. The Scheduled Monthly Payments by individual loan seem like they might be reversed. Regardless, assuming they are correct, the changes to the individual loan balances - and total account balance - do not reflect the rules for applying payments to individual loans ' Scheduled Monthly Payments first, then excess to the loan with the highest interest rate. ( 2 ) Servicer claims that statements prior to XX/XX/XXXX can not be provided. I have bank statements showing transactions paid out to loan servicer monthly in XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX and every month after. Having these statements will be important for verifying that early payments were applied correctly. Actions taken : * Set up spreadsheet model of monthly payments to trace calculation in statements provided online by Great Lakes. Confirmed monthly interest figures within a few dollars ( possibly related to date alignment ), but totally unable to reproduce reported changes to statement balances resulting from excess payments using loan terms, including master promissory note and my NSLDS student data records. * Contacted Great Lakes call center to inquire about ( 2 ) and ( 1 ). Initial representative was unable to explain ( 1 ) and admitted he had no idea how to justify from my records, and asserted that statements were not generated for account status before XX/XX/XXXX and therefore not retrievable. Requested to speak to supervisor. Supervisor asserted that a " split factor '' applied to individual loans made within the account when Scheduled Monthly Payment is applied. Supervisor refused to provide " split factor '' and insisted that it was possibly available in Master Promissory Note, but would not identify where it is derived. In fact, it is not available in Master Promissory Note. If I use the Scheduled Monthly Payment amounts for each year 's loan individually, provided in NSLDS student data record download ( MyStudentData.txt ), I still find overpayments towards the low-interest loan. * Contacted NSLDS by phone. Was advised that CFPB was involved in litigation against another student loan servicer for similar behavior towards borrowers repaying loans early, and recommended I contact CFPB.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-17

Tampa, FL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about your loan
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-17

Pala, CA

Written notification about debt

Debt collection: Other debt

Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-16

Charlotte, NC

Incorrect information on your report

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Account information incorrect
Complaint: I'm in the process of purchasing a home when I obtained my credit report. Great Lakes shows my High Credit as {$24000.00} but shows my balance as {$36000.00} ; a variance of $ +XXXX over the credit limit which has a significant negative impact on my score. I called Great Lakes in attempt to either have the balance lowered or High Credit increased but was quickly told by XXXX that there was nothing that can be done and that what they are doing is not illegal although its impacting my score by 60+ FICO points and will remain that way until the loan is paid in full, I have been on time and in this environment there should be some compromise to not penalize consumers who are doing the right thing. The interest is ridiculous and should be illegal. Please review and XXXX sit me to get some answer to my concerns and possible some reconsideration of this way this trade line is reporting
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-15

Macungie, PA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Don't agree with the fees charged
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response