Consumer complaint received 2024-04-26
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Struggling to repay your loan — Can't get other flexible options for repaying your loan
Company: DISCOVER BANK (NY)

I submitted a complaint to CFPB in XX/XX/XXXX regarding the harassment I continue to endure from Discover Student Loans for repayment of a private student loan that was taken out on my behalf in XXXX. The company provided false information in their response to my complaint and they continue to harass me. In XXXX or XXXX, the Discover XXXX XXXX Agent I spoke with told me that the only alternative payment option was an " interest only '' repayment period, but she informed me that the monthly charge was only marginally different from the minimum monthly payment ( approximately {$200.00} ) and I explained that I still could not afford that due to my financial hardship. She apologized and told me unfortunately there were no other options. Prior to the " No Calls '' notice allegedly being applied to my account on XX/XX/XXXX, I had requested Discover stop calling me multiple times before and after filing this CFBP complaint. My requests were repeatedly ignored. Once I had submitted this complaint, I began to document the ongoing harassment more diligently and I can confirm that I answered calls from Discover and verbally requested for the calls to stop because I had already filed a complaint of harassment. The dates I have record of this were XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX. I then proceeded to block the Utah number when they would not stop. Shockingly, I began receiving calls via another number on XX/XX/XXXX. Again, I verbally requested that the calls stop, and thankfully the frequency of calls decreased after this, but I was still being contacted sporadically. On XX/XX/XXXX I was called again, and to the best of my memory I asked to be transferred to another department who might be able to help because I had no idea what to do at that point. I had no means to pay what they were demanding, and I had already reported the harassment. Furthermore, I reviewed the promissory note they provided to CFPB and I could not locate a hand-signature nor a certificate of electronic signature verifying that this document was legitimate. I have no recollection of this document and was unaware of the terms of this loan. I have no reason to believe that this is a binding agreement. 

I continue to receive emails and postal mail threatening me that my loan will be due in full if no action is taken. Discover has provided no manageable repayment options that fit my financial needs. To reiterate, it was my understanding that my father took out a small student loan of about {$13000.00} with Discover to supplement my federal loan package to afford me the ability to complete my XXXX XXXX XXXX at XXXX University. The application process was completed by my father and it was my understanding that this private loan was similar to the Parent PLUS loans he also applied for on my behalf. I had no knowledge of the conditions of this loan. I have explained my circumstances to more than one Discover XXXX XXXX representatives. At one point, they offered me a 6 month period of forbearance, and informed me that they would re-evaluate my repayment options once this period ended. When the period ended, they did not offer me any repayment options that were matched my financial circumstances. They told me that I could opt for interest-only payments, but this was still above $ XXXX, and I told them I do not have any disposable income to allocate for this. My financial circumstances are such that I am currently receiving XXXX XXXX and XXXX in order to make ends meet. I have had this conversation with multiple representatives from Discover Student Loans, and they apologize but tell me there are no other options. I have received calls from their collectors even while attending church on Sundays. I asked them to stop multiple times and they disregarded my requests. If the minimum payment had been $ XXXX I would have had no issue paying it, but they insisted this was not possible and any partial payments I made would have no effect on my minimum monthly payments, so I would continue to see " late '' charges accruing. Their harassment has caused an undue burden of stress that has severely impacted my mental health and job search ability. I am left feeling hopeless with a useless XXXX XXXX and a private student loan that has ballooned to almost {$20000.00} with all of the late fees and accrued interest.