Consumer complaint received 2017-01-15
Company: Williams & Fudge, Inc
State: VA
Product: Consumer Loan
Sub-product: Installment loan
Issue: Problems when you are unable to pay

Complaint:
To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ; Thank you for your time and assitance today. I am writing in regards to a XXXX XXXX, with the University XXXX. Which is now being collected by Williams and Fudge. 

The University, Office of the Bursar, and Williams & Fudge is now facilitating the holding & blocking of my transcripts due to an unpaid loan - therefore not allowing me to move forward. It is unethical, immoral, and not right for a number of reasons. They also will not negotiate on the amount owed, temporary release of the transcripts, solutions - or any combination of the above. Only on payments, which will not reduce the loan significantly. 

For starters, the Loan was taken out in 1996. The Loan is over 20 years old. However most importantly, there are extensive issues and circumstances related to and surrounding recent non payment. I currently have a US Dept of Education XXXX Discharge for Federal Loans. And while the XXXX does not qualify for forgiveness under this program - I have experienced an extensive long term XXXX ( XXXX ), from ages XXXX to current. 

The Office of the Bursar and University XXXX, as well as the Collection Office Williams and Fudge, will not work with me, cooperate, or consider any alternatives or solutions. Again, my Official Academic Transcripts are being held hostage and I am now XXXX years old. I have experienced tremendous financial hardship, and has been documented with Social Services, the Dept. of Education, and the Social Security Administration ; XXXX Services. Additionally, through the state of Virginia health system and the current US Federal Healthcare coverage system. I have been below the Poverty guidelines economically now for well over 8 years. It is unnacceptable that this loan can not be either forgiven at this time, reduced, or another comprable solution. The original loan amount was {$3000.00}. The amount has now over doubled to {$7000.00}. 

I do not have the means, nor can afford to even begin to directly and immediately pay off this loan for my transcript release. I need help and intervention from a Federal Dept., who will see the matter at hand clearly and help a natural US citizen, with their US Rights. It is within my Rights to have access to my transcripts and records, as apart of the US Education system. Especially considering the XXXX and financial hardship circumstances. The transcript is essential for any future access to education, college, career aspirations or hopes. Without these transcripts, there is little to no path forward for me, for a variety of viable, legitimate reasons. I am trying to recover, start my life over and have access to a career, education, income, freedom and the pursuit of learning - but without these transcripts, that path is definitively blocked. 

While after some recent research on this matter, I can not find the appropriate area of Law which may be related to this matter, protect my rights and allow access to my transcripts, or confirm that blocking the records in this time frame is unfounded, unconstitutional or not allowed through US Law. Yet, I am asking for assistance in a resolution based on an ethical, spiritual, educational and mental basis, which will facilate the freedom and rights of the student, citizen and individual. Versus hindering, exploiting, blocking and denying them on a purely financial, profit basis. Were hardship not as extensive, and severity of XXXX long term, such requests may not be as viable, however in this case, for a variety of strong reasons, I am again asking for Federal intervention, and/or help from this institution & collection office in this specific matter. Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation