;
  • Report:  #80226

Complaint Review: Northwest Education Loan Association - Seattle Washington

Reported By:
- Seattle, Washington,
Submitted:
Updated:

Northwest Education Loan Association
811 First Avenue Seattle, 98104 Washington, U.S.A.
Phone:
206-461-5300
Web:
N/A
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
I got my loan in 1996. Through no real fault of my own, I was homeless and unemployed w/children. When I did get back on my feet in 1997, I found and contacted NELA about making payments on my loan. I was later contacted at work by OSI collections. We agreed to a payment plan that would put me in a rehabilitated status and reduce my payments to a manageable level. I only agreed after being assured by NELA that they would, in fact, honor the agreement reached.

Thirteen monthly payments of $180.00 each later, I personally contacted John Clinton (at NELA)to let them know that I had moved and to give them my current address so that the rehabilitation papers could be sent to me. I was informed that they could not honor the rehabilitation agreement as they were no longer using this company and that there were, in fact, "thousands of people like you with the same problem". By this time, I had required two surgeries which necessitated a complete job change at a much lower rate of pay.

Approx. one year ago, I started getting weird calls from some company called Windham Professionals. I assumed it was to sell me real estate. Then I got some notices from these people demanding full payment.

In August, NELA was sent the full principal amount due them with a note that stated this check was to be used towards the principal amount only, my intention being to make payments on the interest as I refused to pay for their hiring another collection agency for no good reason. Instead, I have found out through a really threatening letter from Windham about seizing bank accounts, cars, etc..., that NELA cashed the check, then paid Windham their collection fees, then the interest, and whatever was left went to the principal.

I have continually challenged their right to take it to a collection agency after I had made the rehabilitation payments that I was assured they would honor. I have continually challenged their right to refuse to honor an agreement made by their representative. NELA refuses to talk to me anymore and the last time I contacted them asking to speak to a supervisor, I was told, "My supervisor will not take the time to talk to you." . I was refused even learning the supervisors name or any avenue in which I could formally dispute all this. Any ideas?

Carol

Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.


2 Updates & Rebuttals

Carol

Seattle,
Washington,
U.S.A.
NELA Complaint filed

#2Author of original report

Sat, February 14, 2004

Shortly after cooling down a little, I e-mailed a complaint directly to Washington's State Attorney General. I hope this gets it taken care of, but I don't hold out much hope. Correction: The date of my student loan was 1995, not 1996. Sorry, I hit the wrong key.


Carol

Seattle,
Washington,
U.S.A.
Still Getting Screwed

#3Author of original report

Sat, February 14, 2004

Well, today I sent an e-mail to NELA venting my frustration and demanding copies of all paperwork in my records including a copy of the original loan agreement. I received a phone call within ten minutes stating that an agreement had been made between them and my husband on 9/18/03 and that over $1000.00 had been removed from the collection charges. I was also told in so many words that because I was married and living in the state of Washington that they could discuss this with my husband without my knowledge at any time, against my specified wishes. (The occurred long before I ever met him and it's not his problem. Besides he is not aware of all of the information regarding this dispute.) I was told in so many words that if I wanted copies of all of the paperwork, then the additional collection charges would be added back on. I again tried to explain that those charges would not have been there had they honored their rehabilitation agreement with me through OSI. He re-stated that the collection charges would added back on. I said that I would just have to bring all of this up when it got to court. He informed me that they will not have to deal with me in court to confiscate my car, my joint bank account, my joint income tax refund, or to garnish my wages. They only apply to the court for a court order, but I will have no knowledge of it until it occurrs and will have no opportunity to stop it. He said that I would have initiate legal action. My kids thought about applying for student loans. I stopped them in a big hurry. I urge all of you to stop anyone from getting a student loan.

Reports & Rebuttal
Respond to this report!
Also a victim?
Repair Your Reputation!
//