In November of I was a grad student in NM. I nearly died from carbon monoxide poisoning. I was dismissed from my school on Feb 12,08 after I requested reasonable accommodation for my injury. The school did not return the tuition money to my lender, in violation of FFELP guidelines. I reported this to ACS and my lender as soon as I became aware of it—which was sometime later because I was repeatedly hospitalized.
I told ACS Education Services I was completely disabled, receiving state government assistance, food stamps, and living on $266 a month waiting for SSI/SSDI to fund. I provided proof more than 5 times in 2009. Despite executed and documented Hardship Deferrals, ACS reported my loans as delinquent. They contacted family, friends, and former clients (how did they get the numbers?!) asking intimate details of my finances, and telling them how much they allege I owe and implied that they might face legal action if they didn't turn me in.
They forced me to sign an illegal document as a condition of correcting their reporting. They contacted family and friends EVERY DAY, even though they had monthly (all that is required) contact with me, and current contact information, and multiple written cease and desists, and proof that I could not pay. They contacted former clients and family on the SAME DAY they spoke with me!
They lied and claimed not to have received any of the proof I sent them. They threatened me on the phone with illegal action, swore at me, yelled at me at the top of their lungs; after one such phone call I had to go to the hospital with abrupt seizure activity. Still, they persisted: left detailed messages on my answer machine and my family's answer machine.
The worst offenders are the so-called "cure" dept. I was forced to sign a SECONd promissory note for an amount I DO NOT OWE in order to have the loans INVESTIGATED (the amounts were wrong according to their own and the school's record) and my rights to deferral enforced. They are rude abusive and escalating on the phone. During one phone call, I believe they violated EVERY provision of the FCRA, the FDCPA, and Title IV.
On another occasion, they told my 89 year old grandmother, who has Alzheimer's and doesn't even remember me, that SHE would have to pay my student loans (no, she was not a cosigner). My family have severed all contact with me because they believe ACS' lies that I listed my family as guarantors.
My doctor says the stress of constant, and illegal dunning is making my condition much, much worse. I've complained to FTC, FDIC, DEPT ED, FBI (my school has been under investigation for embezzlement of student funds since 1999; there is a congressional record) and Attorney General. It has gotten so bad that SSA says I may be eligible for a new SSI, just to protect me from unlawful collections activity.
I welcome ACS attempts at retaliation as I am prepared to aggressively pursue this matter in court: they have already slandered me, libeled me, abused me, and estranged me from my family. They have stolen what's left of my credibility, and are wearing away at my health. At times, I feel suicidal at the prospect of having to deal with one more instance of their abuse.
I believe they should be subject to severe monetary and injunctive penalties—if not have their licensure revoked entirely. Of course, should they mend their ways and do right by me, immediately, I will be thrilled to report that fact with equal alacrity. But I can't believe there isn't a class action suit by now?! I can't be the only one. Maybe it's because they operate out of different satellite offices and use departmental names "Cure Dept" "RMG Dept" instead of their full legal name, as is required by law.
People: Know your rights as student borrowers. Only if we band together and refuse to accept this abuse can we stop sleazebag tactics like this.
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