Consumer complaint received 2024-10-23
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer — Problem with customer service
Company: SLM CORPORATION (PA)

In XXXX of XXXX, I contacted Sallie Mae after both my parents and I received multiple calls regarding a recurring XXXX XXXX monthly charge. As a XXXX XXXX, I was under the impression that none of my loans required payment until after XXXX XXXX in XX/XX/XXXX. These unexpected calls, which even reached my parents ' places of work, led me to contact Sallie Mae to ask that they stop. During this conversation, a Sallie Mae associate explained that the {$25.00} charge was part of the loan I had selected, which I hadn't fully understood. Given my status as a XXXX from a low-income household, I explained that I couldn't afford the payment at that time. I emphasized that my current XXXX demands were overwhelming, as I was in the midst of a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX with intensive unpaid XXXX during the summer. The associate assured me that I would be granted an extension due to my current situation as a XXXX. 

This was a particularly stressful period for me, as I was in the middle of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX while being repeatedly contacted by Sallie Mae over the {$25.00} fee. I did my best to clarify with the associate that I wouldnt be able to pay until XXXX XXXX, and I was under the impression that the {$25.00} charge would be deferred until XXXX of XXXX. I even mentioned that once my XXXX XXXX permitted, I would work to set aside funds to make the payments. 

However, it appears this issue was not fully resolved. I was shocked to see a significant decrease in my credit score months later, indicating that Sallie Mae had reported the one missed {$25.00} payment to the credit bureau despite our prior conversation. 
I feel this situation is a result of miscommunication and perhaps a lack of clarity from Sallie Maes associate. I have since managed to set aside funds to make timely payments for over a year on the account, while still balancing the costs of living as a XXXX XXXX. I was appalled at what lengths Sallie Mae went through to destroy my credit over a single {$25.00} charge. This incident has damaged my otherwise solid credit history, which shows perfect payment records with all other lenders. Because of what they have done and their refusal to assist me in resolving the issue, I am now unable to secure housing for my new job out of state. 

I currently owe Sallie Mae over {$200000.00} with two of my loans having an outrageous interest rate of one at 15 % and the other at 17 %. The impact of this {$25.00} charge on my credit score has been substantial. I have reached out to Sallie Mae numerous times, including a letter to their Credit Bureau Department in XX/XX/XXXX, but received no response. Furthermore, I have submitted three disputes to XXXX, explaining the situation in detail, only to have each dispute denied without any meaningful consideration. This has been ongoing since XXXX of XXXX. 

As a XXXX  who has spent XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, accruing significant debt, I am seeking your assistance to address this matter. I respectfully ask for a review of this situation, as it has had a profound impact on my ability to move forward in my life and career. My hope is that you will consider my efforts to communicate with Sallie Mae, the context of my XXXX  situation, and my consistent payment history outside of this one incident. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that you can help me resolve this dispute