Consumer complaint received 06-03-2016 about Student loan (Federal student loan servicing) with GC Services Limited Partnership (AE).
Issue: Dealing with my lender or servicer
Sub-issue: Trouble with how payments are handled

Complaint: GC Services contacted me to collect on a student loan debt that was in default. The staff member informed me that, if I paid for one year, I would be referred for loan rehabilitation, which would help my credit. I set up payment arrangement based on my overtime salary, which the representative said was required by the federal government, as they used my income tax return. I asked that I be given a written breakdown of what was owed prior to making arrangements. Because the representative stated that me " refusing '' to work with them meant that the company would have to report it I was pressured into agreement ( my job status would have been affected by that negative report ). I provided the representative with all of my current information and asked that they contact me via email due to my location. Toward the end of the year, I contacted the company via telephone to learn my next steps. The persons I had worked with to that point were " no longer with the company. '' I spoke to two individuals who stated they would help me resolve the matter. I learned that the company was still using my old address. I provided both a physical address and an email address, asking that they contact me via email because of my location. I was asked for a back up address in the states, which I provided but told them that I can not readily access mail there. I was assured that I would be contacted via email first, then via my XXXX and finally the stateside address. I waited for more than one month but the paperwork did not come. I contacted GC Services and learned that the two representative were " no longer with the company. '' I was informed that the paperwork I needed to complete would be sent to me for me to complete and mail off. It did not arrive. Two weeks later, I called and was forwarded to another rep, as the other was " no longer with the company. '' The information was sent to the stateside address and I ended up getting it and returning it via US mail. GC Services said they never received it. I ended up missing the deadline and GC Services told me that there was nothing they could do but settle the debt. I had paid close to {$14000.00} in one year and they wanted another {$3500.00} to settle the debt. The original debt amount ( with all fees included ) was approximately {$18000.00}. Had I known this would be my lot, I would have settled the debt initially. I told them that I wanted to make an official dispute. The communications ceased. I started sending emails every 2-4 days. GC Services sent a letter to the stateside address again, " confirming '' a settlement amount. I NEVER AGREED TO A SETTLEMENT AMOUNT AND NEVER SUGGESTED ONE. My credit is just as affected by this debt ( even more so now that it looks like I 've defaulted twice on the same debt ) and I am having to pay due to this company 's poor response or lack thereof. I need help with this matter. Also, what responsibility does the US Dept of Education accept concerning third-party collectors and the information provided to us as debtors? And why is US Dept of Education unwilling to accept {$14000.00} of an {$18000.00} debt ( with large fee attached )? I think the remaining balance should be forgiven.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation