Complaint Review: Sunrise Student Loan Services - Phoenix Arizona

I first contacted Sunrise Student Loan Services (I thought I was calling NextStudent). After being on hold for what seemed like forever I was connected with Sam Blackshear. At the time (January 2014) I was looking for a Private Loan Consolidation company. He told me about their program and I told him no. Because it wasn't what I needed. After this, he pursused me. He called me and left me numerous voicemails trying to get me to consolidate my Federal loans. This went on for about a month. At that time I received a letter from NelNet saying that I defaulted on a loan that I thought was in defferemnt (I moved 5 times in 3 years so I was unaware of it's current state). They were demanding a $800 payment on top of all of the other loans I was paying - I could not afford that. I called Sam back (February). He told me that they could garnish my wages, and take my tax return. I signed up with them that day. I agreed to pay my processing fee $400 in installments. It was paid ACH though my bank. Once the full fee was paid - he said I would receive a call from them to set up monthly payments.


I finished paying this fee in March. Two weeks went by and I heard nothing. I called Sam back - he connected me with the Processing department Lila Mardis. She told me that they hadn't started my application because I didn't send in my paperwork. I sent the paperwork weeks ago when I received it, in the envelope that was included. It was sent to the US Department of Education in Kentucky. I even took a photo of it and put it on my Instagram because I was proud that I was consolidating my loans. I resent my paperwork to Arizona, certified I might add. Lila said they had recieved them. She said it would be another two weeks to get this filed. It was the start of April so she urged me to not file my taxes because they could still take the refund, instead I should file an extension. This all sounded very legitamate to me.

Today is May 2, 2014. I have been trying to get in contact with Lila and Sam and ANYONE at Sunrise Student Loan Services but I have not been able to. I have no idea if my loans are consolidated. I have to follow up with Nelnet and Sallie Mae and my other lenders myself - something I was trying to avoid. I am worse for wear, and would like my $499 back! They have not helped me. They scammed me. And they have all of my personal information. It's sad that we are put in this situation and even worse that this company and others prey on the desperate need to consolidate FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS. THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL!!!

I have called every extension from 401 - 432 and left a message on EVERY SINGLE VOICEMAIL I could. No one has returned my call. Mind you every extension rings once and then goes to voicemail. Also I emailed Lila and Sam. Neither replied. Sunrise Student Loan Services facebook page has been taken down - although their linkedin and twitter are still intact although there have been no updates recently. According to the Terms and Conditions that I agreed to (I saved a copy)... Sunrise Student Loan Services DID NOT HELP ME. And I am DEMANDING A FULL REFUND.