Consumer complaint received 2016-06-08
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: MD
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Non-federal student loan
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer
Sub-issue: Trouble with how payments are handled

Complaint:
I applied for a student loan in XX/XX/XXXX-XX/XX/XXXX from Wells Fargo to cover my tuition at XXXX XXXX College. My loans have been on hold for payment until I graduated from XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. Since that time, I have been in limbo financially, struggling to obtain employment and meeting my other financial responsibilities. Wells Fargo has responded to my concerns by offering to apply for forbearance. However, I did not had the money at the time to process the forbearance which was I believe XXXX or XXXX. 

My loans have accrued overtime because of financial hardship. When I received better employment XX/XX/XXXX and I attempted to apply for forbearance. I was told I was not eligible because I had a better paying job. In addition, I had a co-signer who should be able to assist me. Despite my explanations that my financial issues have not ceased automatically since acquiring the job, I was not given any option except having a conference call with my co-signer, my dad exploring/comparing both of our financial options. However, I knew that if they evaluated both of our finances ( by determining our income solely ), we would not be eligible for any further assistance. 

As I expected, I had a hard time managing my debt because I had other creditors that I was obligated to, pushing me to pick and choose who I should pay for the sake of basic survival. Late fees have accrued overtime and harassing calls increased demanding that I pay. Despite my explanations as to why I am in this predicament, the majority of the callers made me feel like I was financially incompetent, irresponsibility and negligent. 

In their desperation to collect a debt that I clearly express difficulty in paying, they went so far into calling my brother on XXXX XXXX, inquiring on my whereabouts and asking him if he is able to assist in paying my debt. My brother is not a co-signer to my loan. In addition, I have no clue as to how they acquire his contact information. 

Today, they utilize their scare tactics in calling my father ( the co-signer ) stating that he must make a payment of {$25.00} or the loan is in danger of default. My dad informed me ironically that week that he made a payment to them of {$150.00}. I called the office to inquire on what the issue. Not only did the representative I spoke to did not mentioned any payments I need to make to prevent default. But he confirmed that they received a payment for XX/XX/XXXX of {$150.00}. 

My issue with Wells Fargo is that not only do not exhibit sensitivity towards their clients ' financial situation. But they utilize scare tactics to muscle monies that may not be available or accessible to the client. They do not take into consideration that one 's annual income is not monies that goes directly into one 's pocket. It is funneled to different debtors, basic necessities, children and whatever other responsibilities. In my case, if I am forced to choose between paying rent, phone bill and wells Fargo. I will be directing my monies to the first XXXX. It is not because I do not believe it is not important to focus on. But it does not meet the exigency of the first XXXX. 

I would like WF to create programs that are aimed to help support the immediate borrower and give the borrower the opportunity to be able to meet their financial responsibility without having to put unnecessary pressure unto the co-signer who has their own financial obligations. In addition, I would like the scare tactics to cease as well as making phone calls to parties who are not involved in the creditor relationship.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief