Hi, all,
For a few years now I have received a letter every 5-6 months from American Student Assistance, saying there is "[I]a data discrepancy between the information they have for your social security number and the social security number we [ASA] supplied in our recent electronic submittal.[/I]" Then the letter asks me to "[I]please provide at least two forms of the requested supporting documentation listed below so that we can resolve this matter. Please be sure that at least one form of identification contains your social security number.[/I]" The list of acceptable documentation includes passport, drivers license, W-2 form, pay stub, etc. And plus, they want a signature.
Talk about sending up red flags all over the place...
So my question is: are these guys legit? Has anyone else ever gotten a letter like this? Because it sounds like a snail mail identity theft phishing scam.
My student loans were taken out in 1998-99, and have always been in good standing. I bought a house a week ago, and my credit scores were very good (791, 800, 801), so I know whatever "discrepancy" this is hasn't affected my credit.
Should I contact the servicer on my student loans (Access Group)?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Mike Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Asked on 8:58 am Nov 6th 2009
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Right now I am being wage garnished by ASA for 100 dollars per week and they took my state and federal tax. The refused to negotiate more reasonable payment options with me. Right now my income is less than my monthly bills and that is not even including money for gas, food or clothing.
I checked out the BBB as suggested above and found this :[url]http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-reviews/consumer-finance-and-loan-companies/american-student-assistance-in-boston-ma-17807/[/url]
I just dont know how they got my loans in the first place. I just started receiving mail from them one day. I thought my loans were with the US Dept of Education.
My experience with them has not been favorable at all. Rather than discuss things with me and come to an agreement with me, the woman in charge of handing my loans would bark at me with orders and even hung up on me one day when she called me at my place of employment and was not able to speak with her where I was sitting.
Now I am probably going to lose my apartment because they are taking close to $400 per month. I was already struggling with my mandatory living expenses. Now I just got a notice of a rent increase and everything. They were not willing to negotiate at all.
Why would US Dept of education let you enter into forbearance but ASA demands high amounts of money regardless?
My loans are not even that old. I have friends who have been in forbearance for their loans for years, like 10+ years. And they make more money than me! So I do not understand. Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 6:10 pm Feb 12th 2011
Anonymous
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I had federal loans and then one private loan. I paid one off so the DOE was the only ones left. Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 6:48 pm Feb 12th 2011
Anonymous
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Okay so I went there and saw they list 9 different small loans consolidated together into 1 under FFEL. So was ASA assigned to my loans then? I never chose them. Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 7:48 pm Feb 12th 2011
Anonymous
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That was never explained to me. I didnt know there was a guarantor and that if I defaulted they took over. That explains how they ended up writing to me.
I do not recall consolidating with anyone. I always got letters from sallie mae. Last I spoke to them I requested a hardship forbearance and they denied me. What happened next is letters from ASA I guess.
My financial situation has always been extremely tight since graduating from school. The high monthly payments they ask for are simply something I have not been able to afford. I really am in a very big mess right now and I do not see any financial breakthrough any time soon.
I am being sent a financial hardship form to see if I can get all or part of my tax return back. They said I might get it back if I can prove hardship-which will NOT be hard at all. Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 9:50 pm Feb 12th 2011
Anonymous
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I got a call from them after I graduated. They seemed legit, just letting me know that I would have to start paying my loan after my grace period ends and giving me contact information of citibank so that I can check that everything is in line with them.
I assume if I don't pay my loan or something like that they will start getting mean but that is too be expected. Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 4:52 pm Jul 12th 2011
Anonymous
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I'm the same lazy Unregistered who posted above. When I talked to them they encouraged me to check [url]www.nslds.ed.gov[/url] and I would say it is pretty hard to argue against the validity of that website. When I logged in there with my fafsa pin it showed me the amount of my loan, that the loan was from citibank, and sure enough American Student Assistance is listed as the guaranty agency.
So, check for yourself if you don't believe me but they are completely legit and not phishing for anything. Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 5:08 pm Jul 12th 2011
Anonymous
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