GREAT LAKES

2016-05-19

Santa Barbara, CA

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-19

MA

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: Great Lakes did not send me any notice that my loans were due, they alleged that an email notice was sent, I always request my notices by US mail. Great Lakes never called, After 90 days, they sent a letter to me informing me that I am past due. I immediately paid and became current
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-19

Yonkers, NY

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-19

Detroit, MI

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: Great Lakes servicer/guarantor of several student loans mailed me a letter that requires me to clarify something regarding previous CFPB complaints. Originally, I contacted the FTC when erroneous fraudulent information by XXXX XXXX XXXX was reported to XXXX credit reporting agencies over several years. The year XXXX was particularly alarming and detailed for 13 consecutive months. Because Great Lakes had a servicer " XXXX '' that was committing fraud on XXXX student loan that same year, the identity theft forms mailed by Great Lakes not applicable to my circumstances. I therefore need to explain that Great Lakes ' ability to help me get the servicer to do the right thing was to no avail because it was XXXX in XXXX that had the decision-making ability to cause the problem. As a result of an XXXX credit report I received today, dated XXXX XXXX XXXX, Confirmation # XXXX, the address in XXXX was provided to virtually prove it was the servicer XXXX there, using XXXX computer system furnished the fraudulent data to the XXXX agencies and also was in XXXX and XXXX in discussions with my U. S. Senator ( surrounding the Government Shutdown ) and the liaison for the Department of Education over the XXXX-serviced account for which Great Lakes was a guarantor. Therefore, Great Lakes was frauded by their own servicer on this single loan which at the end of XXXX, did not allow me to reapply for another IBR form ( or any form ) due to XXXX actions. So I disputed my student and the credit card in the aggregate as a chain of events that affected my entire credit report as a whole. I am not complaining about Great Lakes per se. They were very helpful in XXXX and XXXX. It was not until today, seeing the XXXX address as the reinvestigation contact for the credit card account that I can finally connect the entire matter to XXXX. I hope this helps Great Lakes do an internal investigation into how XXXX mishandled this loan and affected the other Great Lakes student loans that were caught up in XXXX actions. The many CFPB complaints and XXXX responses are in attachments for which XXXX is among them. XXXX continued to lie even in the written responses to both XXXX and to CFPB and me. So that presents a stark contrast to the truth which I can prove. As Great Lakes knows, I submitted my IBR form on time and was approved. I could not reaapply in XXXX and XXXX is why. XXXX is a problem for Great Lakes because the 57 % default rate on all IBR forms is a massive failure that some servicers used as an excuse to gain immediate access to IRS reporting. My loan was the " sacrificial lamb '' to create the 57 % default to warrant that access agenda. This is not my fault not Great Lakes fault. Nevertheless, the credit reporting of Great Lakes accounts appear on my credit reports. I must include the request tobremove negative reporting because XXXX caused this mess. So any accounts affiliated with XXXX are accounts affiliated with fraud by both the refusal to accept my IBR form but also the credit reporting they conduct as both " XXXX '' from XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX anonymously. The year XXXX ties the fraud to XXXX and it XXXX address. Naturally, all this for no good reason. Had XXXX done their job in XXXX, none of the subsequent fraud would have taken place. I detailed all this in many CFPB complaints. This is quite an unfortunate mess. So I hope this results in Great Lakes accessing the original handwritten IBR form as given to XXXX. When doing so, see Great Lakes own IBR form. Thise two and the one I mailed to XXXX are identical. Both Great Lakes and XXXX approved both IBR forms in XXXX. Only XXXX - corporation - posed as a government agency rather than a servicer to XXXX XXXX XXXX - and refused the IBR. Months of disputes ensued. After the Government Shutdown, I lost time, in which negative reporting happened.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-05-19

Austin, TX

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-18

OH

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Federal student loan

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: I was on a 30 minute phone call with my wife during my lunch hour and during that phone call I received 7 calls from Great Lakes ( calling from XXXX ). While typing this just received call number XXXX.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-13

E Somerville, MA

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-05-11

Niverville, NY

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Federal student loan

Indicated shouldn't respond to lawsuit
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-10

New Brunswick, NJ

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Non-federal student loan

Can't decrease my monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-10

Denver, CO

Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed

Debt collection: Federal student loan

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-07

Berthoud, CO

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: Every time I make a principal only payment, the payment is distributed to all of the loans instead of just the highest interest loans. They even state on their website that when you make a principal only payment that it will go just to the highest interest loans. However, every time I make the additional principal payments, I have to go back and check all of their work. We as borrowers should n't have to go back and make sure that student loan companies are actually following the rules, they should just do so. I pay my student loans through XXXX.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-06

Blackbird, DE

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Can't decrease my monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-06

Plymouth, FL

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Having problems with customer service
Complaint: I have student loans which I believe were with Great Lakes. Recently, I have been receiving calls from XXXX stating all of my loans are in default and threatening me with garnishment of my wages. I told a family member who advised me I would have qualified for a deferment however, I was never notified of this. Great Lakes had my personal information. I attempted to speak with Great Lakes today about why these loans went straight into default and they refused to answer at all. Further, they refused to allow me to speak to a supervisor or anyone else there. I called the Dept of Education and they suggested I call Great Lakes also and stated they are the ones who should answer the question as to what happened, but had no further information to guide me as to what to do.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-05

Virginia Bch, VA

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-05-04

Cheverly, MD

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Non-federal student loan

Can't temporarily postpone payments
Complaint: This is about XXXX and Great LakesXXXX I have been making regular payments to both for the majority of the past XXXX10 years, excluding periods where I received a temporary deferment or forbearance after school or to continue my studies. I am moving out of state to start a XXXX and care for my aging parents. I needed a forbearance for 3 months until school started as I would not have any income to make payments after I moved and prior to my new program. I contacted my lender 2 months in advance and asked what was available. Even knowing I would not have a job BUT that my income would resume ( I have documentation attesting that I have a salaried position beginning when I start my XXXX in the XX/XX/2016 ), they informed me that I would have to pay or have my credit downgraded. I asked about partial payments, interest only payments, and any other programs. They pleasantly informed me that there was nothing they could do. I have worked XXXX for ten years, getting paid much less than my counterparts doing work that is intended to assist those who can not help themselves. Even still, my credit is near perfect ; I have not missed or been late on payments ; and if I have an issue I have always contacted them to adjust payment due dates, etc. I have been a good customer and want to pay what I owe. The fact that I can verify my future income and have an excellent payment and credit history has not made a difference. Additionally, a couple of years ago I joined the military and was XXXX XXXX for XXXX months. Prior to and during that time, I tried to work with the lender to have my payments reduced, postponed or suspended while I was away. Eleven months later I received notices from my lenders that I was approved. I had continued paying up until that time because I did not want problems with the lenders or my credit because I had not heard from them. So my SCRA benefits were effectively unavailable to me. Now when I asked to use the time I was approved for that I did not get to use because of their unexplained delays, I am told that it is too late and I should have used it then. How is that possible? I can not use what you do not make available to me. I am not going to incur irreparable harm because of their failures. This is unacceptable. Even when I am entitled to assistance, they refuse to assist me! Something must be done. I do n't deserve to have my credit ruined because I want to support my parents and have achieved a milestone ( gained admittance to a Ph.D. Program all expenses paid with a salary ). While my situation is nowhere near as dire as that of others, I do not want to fail to follow through on my commitments. The crazy thing is, if this was a mortgage or credit card there would be options available to me. These same companies offer those services and options to me as a customer with a different product, but as a student somehow my needs and responsibilities are different. If I was of a different mind, I would let it go and never bother to pay them, knowing I have a job and a house and a car and can get around having negative credit. These backward and aggressive financial practices does not do the economy or our current and future workforces any good. We never should have bailed out these companies, especially since, when we need bail outs, ones that we can guarantee we can pay back, they are unwilling to help. As a taxpayer, consumer, and productive citizen I should get at the very least what these businesses get. There is no justice, no equality, no protection for me. Instead, my good service is ignored, my timely payment history is of no consequence, but my tax dollars are necessary to support institutions that do not support me. I request action. These businesses should not be allowed to operate if their practices are harmfully aggressive towards consumers.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-05-02

Canal Whchstr, OH

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Non-federal student loan

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-05-02

Crow, OR

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-29

Bundyville, NY

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Can't temporarily postpone payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-29

Seneca, SC

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Received bad information about my loan
Complaint: I would like to make a formal complaint against XXXX XXXX due to the many false claims they make to unsuspecting students who were promised job assistance, the use of predatory loans, and unsubstantiated statistics they claim students benefit while attending and graduating from their school. I attended the school and believe they committed fraud of the highest nature and request a formal inquiry into the school as it is a for-profit institution with many campuses marketing false claims throughout the US. I implore you to help others from making the same mistake I have in attending a school that bolsters its attendance and graduation rates creating undue hardship. I was told prior to attending that there was a XXXX % job placement with assistance from career center, however, no one knew how to help me and claimed it was my own responsibility. The school also reports having real experienced professors from the field, but they instead forced the students to buy a program that played tutorials. This was never discussed prior to going to the school. I would never have gone to an institution that teaches through straight videos. I think those who have been wrongfully subjected to the predatory loans should be dismissed on the wrongful merits this for-profit school claimed in its aggressive marketing campaigns. The student in question has suffered greatly as he was marketed heavily based on the conversations and documentation the school provided of their successful ways they find potential permanent positions for graduates. In reality, the burden to pay back the loans is greatly beyond the marketing, financial responsibility, and systematic breakdown of the education system in order to turn a profit on unsuspecting students attempting to obtain higher education. At this time, I owe nearly XXXX XXXX dollars in student loans for an education I have never been able to use. I searched for two years and was never able to obtain even a temporary position. XXXX XXXX marketed the idea of bettering yourself with obtaining a higher education degree with ease and ability to switch professions with extensive assistance from their staff. If I knew these claims to be untrue I would never have enrolled there. In a very serious manner, I have suffered severe XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX and feel I have taken away the future of my family 's financial security and well being due to this school. Here is a list of marketing tools the school uses, but failed to follow through : The most direct path to your new career - they give directions specifically how to get financial aid without giving any indication of the total amount. Career placement assistance - I was never given any assistance and even told towards the end of my tenor that it was my responsibility. No hidden fees - they forced students to purchase a XXXX program to follow through out the program, which was only Microsoft compatible. If you had a MAC, you were forced to purchase the Microsoft Office at XXXX dollars. Personalized service centered on you - I never met with one person to help determine my future. Instructors with real-world experience - We met once a week and all instruction was through lab tutorials/simulator. A list of improper acts perpetrated by XXXX XXXX : Using general statistics of earnings of graduates ; The availability of advertised programs ; The employment assistance the school provides graduates expressing a XXXX % placement of graduates from the XXXX XXXX program ; The school 's role in its private loan program, stating the loan pays for itself as they help you find a position giving you the statistics on how much XXXX graduates earn ; The nature, character, and quality of educational programs ;
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-28

CA

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Having problems with customer service
Complaint: I am currently undergoing financial hardship ( actually have for the last 5 years ). back around XX/XX/XXXX I had applied for both forbearance and deferment ( hoping at least one would be approved ) ; received a letter " claiming '' one had been approved yet monthly bills still showed the full payment amount was due and thus my so called approved application was ignored. The ( current/present ) lender is MyGreatLakes. As a result of this hardship I fall short each month on needed supplies and some times even other bills - regardless of whether or not I pay the full monthly amount or more than that! Seems not to make a difference! I applied at what was once called XXXX XXXX ( connected to XXXX XXXX ) now going by the name of XXXX XXXX and since graduating have not once found employment and they have not provided assistance in any way in that area either. XXXX is one of those for-profit higher education services that have fallen under investigation. I must also note I am considered XXXX and receive an annual amount of {$13000.00} for XXXX! MyGreatLakes is impossible to deal with, ever since they bought out the student loans life has become a living XXXX and it has proven pointless when dealing with them ; they bought out these student loans back around XXXX XXXX and before that XXXX was the lender and no problem to deal with!
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: Yes Timely Response

2016-04-28

TX

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Trouble with how payments are handled
Complaint: On XXXX XXXX, 2016 I submitted a payment for my remaining loan balance of {$1500.00}. This resulted in my loan being paid off. On XXXX XXXX, an additional {$500.00} was deducted from my account, which is the regular ACH payment that I had set up. I contacted customer service to ask them to release the funds back to my bank account and I was told that I would have to wait up to 30 business days to receive a check for the stolen funds. The Payment Request notification that I received states : " You 'll receive credit on your account as of the payment date listed. '' If my loan was paid off, and showed to be paid off, then why has Great Lakes continued to fraudulently deduct money from my account? 30 business days is entirely unreasonable, especially when Great Lakes is in the wrong. My account should be credited immediately. If that is not possible, a concerted effort needs to be made to issue the check immediately to mitigate my loss. Great Lakes had no problem charging me a daily interest rate of 6.55 %, but seems to think it is acceptable to drag their feet for up to 6 weeks and hold onto my money interest-free! When I asked customer service to reverse the payment, they said that only my bank could do that. I contacted my bank and they advised that Great Lakes initiated the ACH, so only they could reverse the payment. It seems that Great Lakes is intentionally failing to take action in order to maintain control of the funds that they took without authorization.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-26

Redlands, CA

Dealing with my lender or servicer

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

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

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-26

Phillips Ranch, CA

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Non-federal student loan

Can't get flexible payment options
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-26

Brooklyn, NY

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Non-federal student loan

Can't decrease my monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response

2016-04-25

Mill Creek, IN

Can't repay my loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Can't decrease my monthly payments
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Disputed: No Timely Response