Consumer complaint received 2026-06-10 00:00:00
Product: Student loan — Private student loan
Issue: Dealing with your lender or servicer — Trouble with how payments are being handled
Company: Atlantic Recovery Solutions LLC
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding XXXX XXXX XXXX ( ARS ), which is attempting to collect on a private student loan originally serviced by XXXX and subsequently transferred to XXXX XXXX XXXX ( TCM ). The original loan account number with XXXX was XXXX. The original loan amount was listed as {$11000.00} ; however, I dispute the accuracy of that amount. At the time I attended school, the university offered a {$2000.00} tuition reduction for women pursuing technology degrees. That reduction was not applied, causing the loan amount to be approximately {$2000.00} higher than it should have been. The loan should have been {$9900.00} rather than {$11000.00}. Despite this discrepancy, I made several months of payments on the loan before experiencing financial hardship. I am currently unemployed and have been attempting to discuss a reasonable hardship-based settlement to resolve the account. I prepared a written settlement proposal offering a lump-sum payment of {$3500.00} to settle the account in full. My proposal explained the disputed principal balance, my previous payment history, and my current financial hardship. I requested that the proposal be directed to the appropriate department for review and asked that any settlement agreement be provided in writing before payment. When I attempted to discuss resolution options with XXXX XXXX XXXX, I was met with what I believe was unprofessional, intimidating, and potentially misleading conduct. Representatives were rude, dismissive, and hostile during communications and informed me that there would be no negotiations regarding the account. I was told there was no possibility of settling the debt for less than the full balance being demanded. Additionally, I was told that if legal action occurred, I would be responsible for paying XXXX XXXX XXXX ' legal fees. I was further told that there was " no such thing '' as settling student loan debt through court proceedings. The representative also stated that they would pursue my husband 's financial information and finances in connection with this debt. These statements were particularly concerning because my husband and I were recently married, and he is not a borrower, co-signer, guarantor, or otherwise legally obligated on this loan. The debt was incurred prior to our marriage. In addition to making these statements, XXXX XXXX XXXX contacted and harassed my husband directly regarding this debt. My husband is not responsible for this loan, yet he was contacted and subjected to collection-related communications. These contacts caused significant stress and anxiety for both of us. I believe these communications were intended to pressure me into payment by involving a third party who has no legal obligation on the account. The repeated references to my husband 's finances, combined with the direct contact made to him, were particularly alarming and appeared designed to create fear regarding our family 's financial situation. As a recently married couple, these actions caused unnecessary emotional distress and interfered with our ability to address this matter in a reasonable and constructive manner. I also attempted to communicate with the original servicer and parties associated with the loan regarding settlement and resolution options. However, I have been unable to effectively negotiate due to the involvement of XXXX XXXX XXXX and their refusal to meaningfully discuss settlement options or present any settlement alternatives. I am requesting that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate the conduct of XXXX XXXX XXXX, including their communications with my husband, their statements regarding his potential financial liability, their refusal to negotiate settlement options, and their representations concerning legal fees and court-related settlement possibilities. I am also requesting assistance in obtaining a clear accounting of the debt, review of the disputed principal balance, and a fair opportunity to pursue a hardship-based settlement resolution. I have made good-faith efforts to resolve this matter and would like to work toward a reasonable settlement. However, the conduct I experienced has made that process extremely difficult and has caused unnecessary stress, confusion, and emotional distress for both me and my husband.

Company response to consumer: Untimely response