Consumer complaint received 2020-02-22
Company: SLM CORPORATION
State: IL
Product: Student loan
Sub-product: Private student loan
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer
Sub-issue: Keep getting calls about your loan

Complaint:
I am writing in regards to potential unfair practices by Sallie Mae/XXXX. In XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted Sallie Mae in hopes of receiving a true income based loan repayment solution or deferment of student loans. Before XX/XX/XXXX, I began receiving harassing robo-calls from Sallie Mae and threatening letters. In XX/XX/XXXX, the Sallie Mae agent told me that I could not received an adjustment of loan payment without paying money upfront. I explained that I have made these same arrangements with my other student loan providers with success and no upfront payment.

The Sallie Mae agent went on to explain that they are Sallie Mae and they are a private student loan provider and does not adhere to those  guidelines. Without money paid upfront I could not receive an adjusted payment. I explained my issues with the policy and stated that please put this on file that I have tried to work out a solution but to no avail because I am struggling financially. 
Since XX/XX/XXXX Sallie Mae has continued to robo-call me, my cosigner, friends, and family members. They have called family members that were not listed on the my loan as a cosigner. They have called friends that are not listed on my loan. This practice is unbelievable. 
Today, XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted Sallie Mae to inquire as to why all of the robo-calls and reaching out to persons not associated with my loan. The agent explained to me that they can contact whomever they wish in efforts to collect a debt. To explain further my issue with Sallie Mae, they made an arrangement with my cosigner that I was not aware of until today 's call. My cosigner is 70+ years old with no income and little education. To my shock and dismay they made an agreement to take funds from my cosigner and sign me up for a " lower payment '' which was still not affordable and not a true income based repayment program. I asked to have that agreement voided because how can they allow someone else to make decisions on my account for my budget. They declined and told me the arrange would stand because the co-signer is equal and same as me, the loan originator. I explained my great dislike for their practice and their willingness to prey upon the elderly to receive money and make decisions without talking to me. Basically the agent told me they will do what they need to do to receive money. 
I went further to say when I called in XX/XX/XXXX to set up a payment, I was denied all of the options you so called would explain to my elderly cosigner. The agent stated the time was different ; it is now XX/XX/XXXX. I asked if they thought I was lying about my financial situation back in XX/XX/XXXX. The agent says they have pulled my credit profile and see that I am behind on other bills. Is this practice legal? I asked why would you hire private investigators to tell you what I already tried to explain to you in XX/XX/XXXX? There was no explanation. 
Now comes Sallie Mae refuses to release my elderly cosigner of the agreement and hold me to the agreement set forth by someone not of sound mind and little education. They stated they will hold me to the agreement set forth by my cosigner because they have the right to do so. These are terrible practices if you ask me. I have zero rights with this company. I have tried everything possible to work out a solution for my situation. They threatened to come after me if I fail to hold to an agreement set forth by my cosigner and Sallie Mae. 
What are my rights moving forward?

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation