Consumer complaint received 2019-08-19
Company: ECMC GROUP, INC.
State: PA
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Federal student loan servicing
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Sub-issue: Don't agree with the fees charged

Complaint:
•	School Loan servicer XXXX  defaulted my loans while I was paying on them•	XXXX never informed even though they continued to take my payments•	XXXX sent (so they said) a default notice to an address I had not been at in over 5 years•	XXXX sent correspondences within those 5 years to my current address but sends this very important notice to an old address.•	I had already had a claim in with Attn Gen on them because they pulled a bait and switch on me with a forbearance request that automatically excluded me from loan payment reduction programs and did not disclose.•	I believe they sold my loans because of the claim. The consumer affairs office said the claim needed to be resent with the new information to the original issue. I did that.•	ECMC was the new loan company and before I even knew they had my loans or what happened they tacked on XXXX in collection fees. I have been paying on these loans for almost 10 years, the interest was taken first and my original amount of XXXX was only down to XXXX   principle. Now, after collection costs it is XXXX.•	ECMC reached out to me at work and said I needed to immediately pay them etc. and that is when I found out what happened. From XX/XX/XXXX   when XXXX sold the loans to XX/XX/XXXX had no idea, was still just paying my loans.•	I reached out to a lawyer – he asked me to have ECMC send all documentation via certified mail of everything they had done without my knowledge since the bought the loans.•	XX/XX/XXXX I get the packet, except that they already sent a notice of wage garnishment out, to the same address XXXX used, however they never included a copy in that packet.  My company never received notice either.•	When my company found out by notice of penalty for non-compliance, they contacted me. I had no clue and neither did they. I called ECMC immediately and they had me send in a request for a hearing but said it was probably too late.•	I sent the letter immediately but they still garnished my wages taking the max amount which over the next two months fighting them almost made me homeless.•	I finally got the Ombudsman involved but they just gave me the run around. I have all documentation. They side-stepped the fact that they never included the garnishment notice and in the end stood behind the Dept of Ed code as a response.•	I called the lawyer that was working with me but he dropped off the earth.•	The Consumer Affairs woman handling the XXXX case said that my case would be part of the class action. So I went back to the board restating my loan should have never been in default so they let me appeal the decision, but that was denied.•	In XX/XX/XXXX, after speaking to another Ombudsman, she advised taking the default and going through the rehab program as it would be the only way to stop the garnishment which had left me broke and unable to pay rent or care for my sick mother.•	I set up the rehab as I was left no choice. I tried a few lawyers in the plan and none of them handle these types of cases.•	I completed the rehab program XX/XX/XXXX. This was by contract supposed to stop future garnishment, resolve the default and restore my credit. As of today it sits unresolved and they added more collection fees (not in the contract) as well as three more loans that are not mine.•	I immediately called dept of ed, they confirm I only had the 5 loans, but ECMC has not removed them nor the default status.•	I asked about what is next so I do not miss a payment and get garnished again, no response.•	I went back to the rehab specialist with the signed contract about the 5 loans included and the payment amount that was a direct withdrawal from my bank account, but they were still taking money from my paycheck also not in the contract.•	Finally the financial statement with the new fees added has put the account, which I have paid over 3k on back up to XXXX. I wrote to them citing the documentation from the rehab and the Dept of Ed. But have not heard anything. They are financially robbing me and there seems to be no recourse for their actions.  I cannot go through another wage garnishment. They lied and never informed me, I had no opportunity to have a hearing and they knew it. Even my payroll department hear backs that up and I have seen complaints online that others had the same experience. I was paying on my loans at the time they garnished me and they are not supposed to do that unless they counseled me on the amount and tried to handle it that way per one of their own Reps. I also know the people at my old address and they confirmed they never received that notice nor a certified letter and they would have brought it to me as they often bring me my mail. This company is a complete Fraud.Today, I just found out by logging in the ECMC website they have sold my loans BACK to XXXX and added on XXXX in fees.. How can they do that? I have a claim against XXXX and it is because of them this all started. I also do not understand how this is legal and I have received no information from either company.  I almost feel this is retaliatory for putting a claim against them. I do not even know what recourse I have and I have no paperwork or anything other than the loans listed in the website to understand.  It just say’s contact the new provider (XXXX) for information. I know with ECMC they started a wage garnishment right away so I have to contact XXXX.These two companies are committing Fraud and need to be investigated. They are robbing people blind with bad business practices and countless additional fees and costs.

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 explanation