While American Student Assistance may not be committing any crimes, they are not the most ethical company I've dealt with. They have lied to me on 3 separate occasions.
Once my loan went into default status, they had the right to seize my tax refund, but assured me this would not happen if I paid any agreed-upon amount I could afford over the next few months. I did so, (on time, every month) and they took my tax refund anyway. When I called them, their response was, "Sorry. There's nothing we can do." While it was legal... They still lied to me.
The next year, they told me the same thing and took my tax refund. I called to ask for it back, since they had promised again that they wouldn't keep it if I maintained a good payment history (which I did). They said they would cut a check and mail it to me. I waited 2 weeks and never received it. I called to inquire about it and they said, "Well, we sent it to you." They even gave me the check number. I verified that they had the correct address, then asked them to stop payment on the check and re-issue another one. They said they would.
About a month later, I called to inquire again, and they said they had mailed out a second check 2 weeks before. Of course, I didn't receive that one either. They never received either one of the checks in return mail, and neither had been cashed. When I told them I never received the second check either, they told me to contact my local post office and fight it out with them. I was infuriated. I have a very simple name and address. I was not having any trouble receiving any other mail at my address.
When I asked them to overnite another check (at my expense) so that it would require my signature, they refused.
I understand the terms of my loan, and have never denied owing this company money, however, I would have much more respect for them if they just told the truth up front ("Yes, we will be taking your tax refund, and no, you can't get it back.") instead of playing with my expectations by pretending to send me money that they never had any intention of sending.
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