I have gotten at least 20 calls from this number who is calling for a Ruth (last name garbled) and I continue to tell them no one here by that name but they keep calling. Some are automated calls and they tell me they are removing my number from their records, but they keep calling. One again this morning that woke me up.
I get the same calls, and I do have a loan through Sallie Mae. I have been around the block in this arena and a majority of this applies to ANY collection agency. If you are getting these calls then one of the following is likely true.
A> Student loan is subsidized
Your lender may be getting the money through Sallie Mae as a grant
B> Direct loan from Sallie Mae
C> Co-signed for a student loan and your "student" has flopped the payments
(12) Communicate with a debtor or anyone else in such a manner as to harass, intimidate, threaten, or embarrass a debtor, including but not limited to communication at an unreasonable hour, with unreasonable frequency, by threats of force or violence, by threats of criminal prosecution, and by use of offensive language. A communication shall be presumed to have been made for the purposes of harassment if:
(a) It is made with a debtor or spouse in any form, manner, or place, more than three times in a single week;
(b) It is made with a debtor at his or her place of employment more than one time in a single week;
(c) It is made with the debtor or spouse at his or her place of residence between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.
What this means, in Washington State and likely many others, is if you receive more than 3 calls per week at home OR more than 1 call per week at work it is considered harassment. My advice is this:
1> Check local laws first
2> According to the laws, answer the call EVERY TIME
3> If you answer MORE THAN 3 calls per week (in Washington State at least) then you have grounds to file a harassment suit. DO NOT NOTIFY of this suit to the collector, just contact a lawyer and he/she will advise from there. Most lawyers will want up-front money, respectable lawyers will know SLM will be liable for the legal charges and will pursue them. Also, you may be able to get a state appointment lawyer to handle this since it involves state laws and bad practices.
Here is a link:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.16
*** To "get a break" from KNOWN student loan issues ***
In most cases you can apply for deferment of payments (no job / futile efforts finding a job) or a forbearance. These are limited so use them sparingly.
*** Think before you go bankrupt ***
For those that may be thinking of bankruptcy to rid their student loans among other debt, forget it since this is not allowed by federal law. The best measure is to pay-off the loans with a credit card then file bankruptcy if you are really serious.
That's all I got for now. Answer the phone and see if they call back more times than allowed by law. You may be able to receive upto $500 PER CALL following the third call for the week. Keep in mind a suit will not make them stop calling, just makes them be responsible about how they conduct their business. Who knows, you could get enough calls to PAY OFF those loans :)
They have been calling every day including SUNDAY AT 7PM!!! It has been 4 days and 3 days in a row and twice in one day!
I know it is Sallie Mae Collections. I talked to the guy the first time they called. They are calling because my account is 7 days over due. SEVEN DAYS!!!
They wanted immediate payment over the phone. I explained that I run my own business and the funds are not immediately available until a clinet pays me for my work. I expeced a payment soon and I would pay them. They guy took note and hung up.
They keep calling anyway! Day after day. I answered another day and the guy had the nerve to tell me what my credit was (how much I had and where I had it) and that I should pay the account with that! I told him it was none of his business what I had and where! I also told him my priorities are feeding and keeping my family warm than paying them.
They called again the next day and the day after that. If they don't knock it off soon I'll be seeking out better business bearu and other agencies.
I understand my situation hence why I pay over what I owe monthly instead of the minimum. Hell up until now I was three months ahead. They couldn't give a damn about that!
This number has called every other day up to 10 times a day, beginning at 630 am (including Sundays)!!!!!!!! This has to stop! Can they be reported to the BBB?