West asset management collection agency - are they collecting student loans?

Here's a new junk debt purchaser, West Asset Management, I've just heard of. Of course, follow the usual rules if you hear from them, check your state's SOL, and never pay them a dime.

They have also started collecting student loans for the Dept of Education. Don't call them, don't deal with them. Send a cease communications letter and then deal with the DOE itself if you have a student loan in default. They have some very good programmes.

Ohhhhh, I know who West is. Looks like they weren't making enough money purchasing the debt, so they are third-party collecting it too. A******s!

View their profile with BBB-Mike

DOE have a list of collectors to work on default student loans. If an agency is found breaking laws, you can complain against them with DOE as well.

Curlycarl is right.

Also West Assets seem to be playing with having only P.O. Boxes, no doubt to try to say they didn't get Cease Communications letters, etc. But, they are located at:
2253 Northwest Parkway
Marrietta, GA 30067

I forgot to add, that according to the Atlanta BBB, Ms Thomas' email address is:
HWThomas(at)west.com

Feel free to send her a few friendly e-mails.

i found an account with West Asset Mgt. on my credit report, says I opened an account in March 05 and it went to collections in Nov 05?? I don't know what it is...it's only for $114...how do I find out what it is?

Seeing_the_Light

You need to call up the credit company and inquire about this account. If they can give you correct information about the debt, you will have to plan up your payments. If the account has not been sold to the collection agency, you can arrange payments with your creditors or else you will have to deal with the collection agency only.

that's the thing, i don't know who the account is with...i don't remember opening an account in MArch 05??

Call up West Asset Mgt. since they are in your credit report. Request for the details and they should be able to give it to you. If they say that can't give you any information because the account has been sold to the collection agency, you can insist for the same information from them. Do not pay anything until you have proven records.

If no one is able to give you any information, you can show proof to the credit bureau and request them to conduct their investigation. Make sure that you do all your correspondences in writing through certified mail with return receipt requested.

Seeing_the_light

I notice that you are in Texas. Also send them a letter demanding validation of this debt. In Texas this can be done anytime, not just the "within 30 days" collectors put on their letters. Also, according to the Texas Debt Collection Act, -the collector- must provide you with materials to dispute the debt. If the collector has not sent you competent validation of this debt within 30 days, the collector must send letters to everyone they reported it to (ie, credit reporting agencies) removing it. West Asset Managment is a junk debt buyer, which generally means that they'll have what amounts to only high school students working for them. If you call them up, be sure to tell them that you are recording all conversations. In Texas, I believe that it doesn't matter if they agree to this or not.

In TX you do not have to even tell them you are recording calls. And I would not tell them.

Thanks for contact info about West MAnagement. Just last night they refused to give me address and said they did not have info to verify debt.
So...with your help the verification letter goes in the mail today!

Good news for you if they don't have the info to verify the debt...what a bunch of morons to admit that. If they can't verify the debt, they can't continue to try to collect it, and they cannot report it to the bureaus.

I found where WEST ASSEST is located just in case anyone wants to pursue......

3795 Corporate Center Dr
Earth City, MO 63045
314-264-7100

2812 Spring Road Se
Atlanta GA 30339
770-432-2505

2253 Northwest Pkwy
Marrietta GA 30067
770-618-2200

i would be thankful for any kind response in regards to this company. they contacted me through my job and told me that i had a outstanding student loan due, they told me that if I was unwilling to work with them they would seek a wage reduction aginst my paycheck. Is this legal? can they do this without going to court first? Whats the difference if their is one, between garnishment and wage reduction?