SLM CORPORATION

2018-05-02

PA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Keep getting calls about your loan
Complaint: I have received multiple calls and voicemails from XXXX XXXX concerning my payments. While I am behind, I am still making consistent payments of at least the minimum required monthly amount and typically more than the minimum to catch up on the loan. I have repeatedly asked the company to not contact me during my working hours which are typically XXXX to nearly XXXX XXXX. I continue to be harassed by calls during these times and have been questioned by my boss as to why I am answering my personal cell phone during work hours. Many of these calls are occurring during meetings and cause a disturbance if I happen to not have my phone on silent. XXXX XXXX records all calls and should have it documented that I have requested this and I have voicemails and documentation of the calls that I have received during business hours. They have also not offered any viable solution to help bring my account current or reduce interest rate/minimum monthly payments to help me afford the payments. A very predatory company overall
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-05-01

Aspen Hill, MD

Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem

Student loan: Private student loan

Was not notified of investigation status or results
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-30

San Antonio, TX

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: Repeated phone calls to my personal phone number. Additionally, XXXX XXXX defaulted my loan when I had made a payment on the account. When I had requested that my loan be serviced due to errors made on the account, I was not communicated with they defaulted my loan.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-25

CA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: In XX/XX/XXXX I originally reached out to XXXX XXXX for assistance repaying my loan and seeing if I could get a lower monthly payment or other options due to the fact that my income had significantly changed. I was told that the only option offered by the compan was a forbearance of 3 months. This cost me a total of {$150.00} fee ( {$50.00} for each loan ). The {$150.00} did not appear to have been applied to my loans and I continued to accrue interest over that 3 months that totaled around {$500.00} that was added to my loan amounts. I again reached out to the company on XX/XX/XXXX for financial difficulties and again was told that a 3 month forbearance was my only option. Again paying a fee of {$150.00} and accruing {$450.00} during that 3 month period. I have documents for the XX/XX/XXXX forbearance and am currently working getting records of my XX/XX/XXXX, as the company only allows users to view statements for 24 months. I have also had several interest rate increases in the life of my loan without any prior notification of rate increases until I notice it on my bill causing my monthly payments to increase by over {$100.00} in the life of the loan.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-24

Wonder Lake, IL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-21

Key Biscayne, FL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Keep getting calls about your loan
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX, I contacted XXXX XXXX XXXX. I spoke to XXXX. XXXX identification number is : XXXX. I called to ask why I was getting phone calls about my account going into default. I had an agreement with XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX ( ID:XXXX ) to pay {$150.00} to bring my account up to date. XXXX stated I had until XX/XX/XXXX to pay the XXXX dollars. I agreed to do so. My bank states XXXX XXXX received and cashed my check on XX/XX/XXXX. When I talked to XXXX she claimed the check hadnt been recieved or applied to my account. I told her about my bank reporting the check being cashed. She again reiterated that they hadnt recieved any money from me, and asked for another {$150.00} to secure a good faith payment and to keep my account from going into default. I reported I did not have another XXXX dollars to give her. I also asked XXXX to stop calling my friends and family and disclosing my debt to unauthorized persons, and to stop calling me after XXXX XXXX and before XXXX XXXX. I reported that it was illegal to harass me and to call after XXXX XXXX and before XXXX. I also reported it was illegal for her company to disclose my information to friends and family members without my consent. XXXX reported they were within their legal limits to do so. When I reported the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, XXXX began to back pedal and claimed XXXX XXXX and its employees have not disclosed my information to friends and family. I replied by saying, interesting, and that my friends and family members are reporting otherwise. Contact with XXXX ended after that conversation.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-20

Palos Park, IL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Trouble with how payments are being handled
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I refinanced two of my five loans with XXXX XXXX through XXXX. Due to having made on time payments to these XXXX XXXX loans while throughout the refinancing process, the amount due was less than the amount borrowed through XXXX, resulting in overpayment of the two XXXX XXXX loans ( {$260.00} & {$380.00} ) at the time of refinancing. This resulted in a credit to the XXXX XXXX loans, leaving me in positive balance. On XX/XX/XXXX I called XXXX XXXX to request the positive balances of these two loans be applied to a loan still in negative balance. The customer service representative I spoke to replied that they could accomplish this, and I ended the call thinking that it would be handled. 7 days later, the request still had not been completed. The positive balance had disappeared from the two loans and had not been credited to the existing loan. The transaction record for my loans showed a Credit Balance Refund for the {$260.00} & {$380.00}, but the money has not been refunded to my bank account, nor credited to any of my existing loans. Once more I called to request the credit be applied. The customer service representative stated flippantly that this was " their busy period '' and " the back office '' would need to handle this request. She stated that she would put in another request. Neither of these things were mentioned in my first call. It has now been one month since my loans were in positive balance and 16 days since I called to get the balance redistributed with no result other than the disappearance of my credits. As a customer of XXXX XXXX, I would prefer my requests be handled in a timely and polite manner. Neither of these elements has ever been a part of my dealings with this company. I am extremely dissatisfied with their service and actions as a company.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-18

W Des Moines, IA

False statements or representation

Debt collection: Federal student loan debt

Attempted to collect wrong amount
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-04-17

Lewiston, NY

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Threatened to arrest you or take you to jail if you do not pay
Complaint: XXXX XXXX has been trying to get me to pay on my student loans, made harassing phone calls to my mother, my father, my XXXX year old Aunt, and an ex family friend, and has been completely unreasonable with their expectations. Let me explain to you my problem- I make $ XXXX/hr. My gross income biweekly is {$1400.00}. After I pay state and federal taxes, health/dental insurance, misc insurance, and my FEDERAL student loan garnishment is taken out, my net income biweekly is approximately {$850.00}. Thats $ XXXX/month. My monthly bills are as follows : Mortgage : {$620.00} Car : {$330.00} Car insurance : {$120.00} Phone : {$100.00} Internet/tv : {$160.00} Electric/Gas : {$150.00} Gas/Car : {$50.00} Credit Card : {$25.00} Food : {$100.00} This leaves me with about {$30.00} a month to my name, if Im lucky. what if my electricity is a few dollars more that month, or I have to buy a prescription? What about other incidentals? The last time I spoke with XXXX XXXX, I told them I could not pay. They worked with me for an arrangement of {$160.00} a month. Where do they think Im going to get this money!? I tried my hardest to accommodate their request. I picked up overtime whenever it was available, but that opportunity has ceased. Is XXXX XXXX that heartless that they would rather I go without electricity, or a roof over my head just so they get paid back!? Let alone their harassing phone calls. I have advised on NUMEROUS times that my references are not to be called. One is an ex family friend who is threatening harassment. One is my XXXX year old Aunt who nearly got hospitalized from stress because she though she owed someone money. She doesnt understand! Shes almost 100!!! The best part, after 3 and a half years and numerous phone calls and mailed letters, they STILL are trying to contact my father ( co-signer ). HE IS DEAD. HE HAS BEEN DEAD SINCE XX/XX/2014. I HAVE SENT THE DEATH CERTIFICATE MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT. Why are you still trying to contact him!?!? My dad and I made a deal to pay these loans together. Well, he passed unexpectedly, and thats no longer possible. I can not pay these loans on my own. I can hardly afford a roof over my head these days and now XXXX XXXX is threatening legal action against me. What are you going to do? Make me live on the street? I HAVE NOTHING. Your calls and harassment are beyond disrespectful. You have no heart, no compassion, nothing. You are ruining the lives of young Americans being brought up in a world where we can barely afford to live on our own. My credit has been destroyed. Im XXXX. Ill never own my own home, have an interest rate that doesnt kill me, or anything else nice in life. I dont have family members to borrow from, I wasnt born rich. I work my XXXX off every single day just to survive. Is this the kind of reputation you want?? I need to find an arrangement I can work with. Someday, I hope things change but I dont foresee a huge raise in the near future. I apply within my company for promotions often, and Im sure I will one day get one, but until then, what do you expect me to do? I ask that XXXX XXXX please work with me. Allow me to pay $ XXXX/month for the near future until I can find a better job or obtain a promotion. Help me fix my credit to paid as agreed and remove any extreme derragatory reporting.. dont ruin my life. And PLEASE stop calling my references and trying to get in contact with my father- he is dead and these loans are my problem, no one elses. Thank you.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-17

AL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Don't agree with the fees charged
Complaint: The loan started on XX/XX/2016 for {$15000.00} to attend college with an original interest amt. of 6.75 %. I have always maintained that I chose a fixed rate but of course they say it is a variable. I am way ahead in paying the loan off. However the closer I get the higher the interest rate goes, currently 8.125. I have called them multiple times, I have let them know I have decent credit and my cosigner has excellent credit but they tell me if I don't like it go get a loan from another institution. it is like they are going to get the original amount of money if I had stuck with their payment plan.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-12

Ridley Park, PA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Keep getting calls about your loan
Complaint: When I started college in XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX was the biggest lender out there to provide assistance. Fast forward to XX/XX/XXXX when I graduated my repayment was over {$900.00} more than my pay check was every two weeks. I went back to school because that was the only option I had until I could figure out how to pay my loans. I graduated with a XXXX degree. My payments kicked back in and my payment was {$980.00}. I do not know what world these student loan lenders get their interest rate, but no one realistically can pay {$980.00} and still survive. I called them and told them my situation, which was I was pretty much living off {$20.00} after paying all my bills. They told me because I made the payment of {$980.00} in XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX that they would not help me because it looks like I can pay my payments. I had to put bills in other people 's names because I could not support myself. In XX/XX/XXXX, I let my account fall behind because XXXX XXXX is to call you about the past due within 5 days. 5 days went by and I had to call them. WednesdayXX/XX/XXXX, I called and spoke to a financial adviser about what my options could be. After going through a million questions about mine and my co-signers income, XXXX XXXX offered me an extended repayment program at 2 % interest rate and a payment of {$340.00} a month. Both parties agreed on these terms. They sent me a letter in the mail stating what the terms were. I was put into a qualifying period for XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX to make sure i could pay the payment due, which is an automated debit every month. I made the XX/XX/XXXX payment no one called from XXXX XXXX to say my account was past due. I made my XX/XX/XXXX payment and XXXX XXXX who agreed to these terms with myself and my co-signer, called my co-signer 8 times to try and get her to pay {$1800.00}. Not happening. They called me and I spoke with them they wanted me to pay {$2000.00}. I the customer told them about the terms which I agreed to with XXXX XXXX and they told me that there was no note on my account saying I was in any type of extended repayment. If they continue to call I am not returning a single call nor will my co-signer. I stated on the phone with them I nor my co-signer will not be calling them back to continuously get worked up over the lack of communication this company has with its customers, but also within the company itself. XXXX XXXX will forever make you regret that college was ever an option to better yourself and make a difference in the world.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-11

Shenandoah, TX

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

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

Timely Response

2018-04-11

San Luis Obispo, CA

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Keep getting calls about your loan
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-11

Newark, NJ

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: To Whom it May Cincern, I have been struggling to make payments to XXXX XXXX for the past two years ( since XX/XX/2016 ). Ultimately, I had no choice but to utilize all 12 months offered in forebearance ( broken up into 3 or 1 month increments ), just to stay afloat. I am not trying to escape my responsibilites as a borrower. I am well aware of the amount owed on my loans and I am more than willing to make payments in an effort to reduce my stuudent loan debt. However, I went from making $ 80- {$90.00} payments on my student loans, to exhausting all of my financial resources to come up with almost {$900.00} a month in payments to XXXX XXXX . I have spoken to plethora of representatives ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX to name a few ), from both the customer service and the collections department at XXXX XXXX, and most of the time, my conversations with them are not pleasant. I have received mixed responses from the call reprsentatives on how to pay my loans and what " programs '' I qualify for, yet I am still unable to lower my payments. As a result, I became delinquent on other debt responsibilities including my federal student loans because my income does not correlate with the amount of money that I have coming out. XXXX XXXX, is honestly one of the worst private student loan companies out there. They are insensitive to the isssues and concerns of their clients and are extremely unprofessional. In my conversation today with representative XXXX, I was told that I knew what I was getting into when I borrowed XXXX in student loans, and that there was nothing that could be done to lower my payments besides automatic debit, or waiting until I'm delinquent in 5 days to receive a call from collections. I am honestly confused as to why XXXX XXXX ( who has ties with the Dept. of Education ), would not want to help their customers avoid missing a payment in and " try '' to actucaully help reduce the amount of debt owed to their company. Their lack of regard for their customers, honesty, and integrity is astounding. I am seriously considering taking legal action against the company just to lower my payments which is unfortunate.
Company Response: Company believes complaint is the result of an isolated error Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2018-04-09

Dallas, TX

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

2018-04-08

FL

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Keep getting calls about your loan
Complaint: On XX/XX/2018 between my father and I we received 8 phone calls between XXXX-XXXX. No one was on the other end answering and no messages were left. If I didnt answer the phone they would call my dads personal number, if he didnt answer they would call his work phone number, then they would call me again. It was a never ending cycle for almost 3 hours.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-06

Clinton, MD

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

2018-04-05

VA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

Problem lowering your monthly payments
Complaint: In early XX/XX/2014, my mother applied for a student loan from Sallie Mae to finance college. She was in a hurry to get a loan, as she waited too long to apply, and looked to Sallie Mae to get a loan. It offered her very high interest rates, which she was inclined to accept so that I could go to college. Over the last 4 years, Sallie Mae has consistently raised the interest rate on the loans despite both my mom and I having a credit score of over 700 and never missing any payments. The interest rates on the two loans are now at 11.25 % and 10.125 % APR!!! Sallie Mae has been raising the interest rates in 0.125 to 0.25 % increments every 6 months or so. I also have reason to believe that payments are not being disbursed correctly between interest repayments and principal repayments. I believe it may be applying parts of payments that should be deducted from the principal and recording it as interest repayments. I am not sure if what they doing is even legal for a loan servicing company in the United States. Interest rates are increasing for no apparent reason on loans that are already at levels way above the average interest rates for student loans. Consistent payments each month are only deducted from accrued interest regardless of the amount we pay. We are planning to refinance the loans with another company once I graduate this year.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-04

Arlington, NY

Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem

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

Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-04

Canton, GA

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Federal student loan servicing

Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-04

Brooksville, FL

Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Talked to a third-party about your debt
Company Response: Company can't verify or dispute the facts in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-03

Seneca, SC

Communication tactics

Debt collection: Private student loan debt

Frequent or repeated calls
Complaint: My first call with them was very abrasive I had no idea that my account that was joint with my deceased aunt had been sold to a 3rd party collections. I received no written notification just a report on my credit report and then the calls started. The agent was condescending and gave me no information just wanted a payment the call was disconnected. They have continued calling me 2 to 3 times every other hour from different numbers. My credit report is showing that the have charged almost 93 dollars in addition to the original loan and they are reporting to the credit bureau more than 1 every 30 days. The dates reported are XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX. The original loan amount sent to them was XXXX. They are saying I owe them over the course of my alleged acct being with them 4 months, according to my credit report, XXXX. Still no written report have been sent to address although confirm with the agent and the calls have continued. Prior to the account being sold Sallie Mae harassed not only me but my sick aunt and called multiple times an hour within one day and through it all I didn't even know it was illegal until recently. They were telling her they would come take my degree, I would be arrested, they would garnish my wages and her SSA, they were going to send government officials to my door. This has been trying considering she died shortly after those calls and now I'm grieving her death and this mess with the XXXX XXXX and Sallie Mae.
Company Response: Company disputes the facts presented in the complaint Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-03

ID

Dealing with your lender or servicer

Student loan: Private student loan

Need information about your loan balance or loan terms
Complaint: I have called Sallie Mae a number of times to help work with me on payments I can afford. I sent them payments, but they don't cover the minimum payment they want. Now, they tell me I don't have online access to my account because my online priviledges were revoked. They won't let me see any of my information that is connected to it. Even if they won't accept a payment less than the minimum, I should still be able to see information about my loan.
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-03

Cambria, CA

Opening an account

Checking or savings account: CD (Certificate of Deposit)

Unable to open an account
Company Response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2018-04-02

Campville, NY

Struggling to repay your loan

Student loan: Private student loan

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

Timely Response