Consumer complaint received 2017-02-14
Company: Navient Solutions, LLC.
State: GA
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 have both federal student loans as well as private loans. My private loans were originally taken out with XXXX XXXX while I attended college. All of my private loans got transferred to NAVIENT a few years ago. When I contacted NAVIENT after the transfer, wanting to lower my monthly automatic draft payments due to the lowering of my income level, I was told that this was not an option. I was told that NAVIENT, just like XXXX XXXX does NOT work with your income level! The lender ( NAVIENT ) sets your payment plan. 
In addition, I had recently gotten married and in order to change my name, I was to send in my marriage licence as proof. I did so and not only did they not change my name, they increased my monthly payment! Outraged, I called again and demanded they work with my income only ( not mine and my husband 's income ). I was told very rudely, that they go by " annual household income level. '' I fought back stating that I had obtained my degree in my Maiden name only. I went on to state that I did not know my husband at that time, he was not on any loan documents and therefore, should not have to be responsible for paying my loans. The increase was not justified! However, I had to pay this or I was told they would garnish my wages. 
A year later, both my husband and I were laid off at the same time ... and could not afford to pay on the loans. I called yet again, and was told that garnishment would happen unless I continued my payments! I was told I was out of allowable forbearance and this was not an option either. Having no money and being out of work for the next 10 months, my credit was ruined overnight by NAVIENT. This should not have happened! They should not be allowed to hurt your credit because you are out of work and are unable to pay. I was living on unemployment insurance at the time and was receiving harassing phone calls up to 15 times daily wanting to collect. I was appalled at this tactic and watched my credit plummet daily. 
Once I was employed, I began to make my regular payments every month until 2 years ago when I was going through a divorce and I was only employed part time. I called NAVIENT to see if they could possibly reduce my monthly payments to work with the loss of income I was experiencing. ( I made $ XXXX that year. ) I was told by NAVIENT that divorce or loss of an income is not grounds for reducing the amount on regular monthly payments. I told them I could no longer afford my regular amount. I pleaded with them. I offered to send in my XXXX to prove my situation and they would not budge. So, I wrote a letter to NAVIENT and attached my documentation to prove that I was no longer in a position to continue paying my regular monthly amount. This was on XX/XX/2016 and I have not received a letter back in response. I am struggling financially. So much so, that I can not afford to live alone. I do n't make enough money to support myself. I am having to live with my mother who is retired. I drive a 20 year old car, and I am currently paying {$420.00} per month for both private and government loans. 
I 'm fortunate to work for a college, so I am on the PSLF plan for my government loans who work with my income level. NAVIENT ( owner of all private loans ) refuses to work with my income level, made harassing phone calls when I was out of work and unable to pay, threatened on numerous occasions to garnish my wages adding unnecessary stress, ruined my credit score, discriminated against me for getting married and INCREASED my monthly payment after the fact ( Men do n't have to change their name when they get married ), all because they want their money and they do n't care how they get it! 
I understand that I borrowed the money in the first place. I 'm willing to pay when I am working. All I ask is that they work with my income level and to not increase the payment if I decide to get married.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation