Consumer complaint received 2025-09-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Private student loan debt
Issue: Written notification about debt — Didn't receive notice of right to dispute
Company: SIMM Associates, Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
On or about XX/XX/XXXX, I was admitted into XXXX XXXX and rushed to begin classes after the semester had already commenced on XX/XX/XXXX. I was not afforded the same opportunity as other students to begin on the official start date. Within three days of my enrollment, on XX/XX/XXXX, I withdrew from the program after consulting with the director, who advised me to do so due to the academic disadvantage caused by my late start. 

At the time of enrollment, XXXX XXXX represented that tuition would be covered through a XXXX grant and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. I would not have been permitted to begin classes without proof of tuition assistance or financial means. Therefore, I never personally owed tuition beyond the non-refundable {$50.00} application fee. 

Pursuant to XXXX XXXX own refund policy, students who withdraw within XXXX ( XXXX ) calendar days of enrollment are entitled to a 100 % refund of tuition and fees, less the non-refundable application fee. I withdrew within three days of my start date, but XXXX XXXX failed to properly honor this refund policy. 

From XX/XX/XXXX until XX/XX/XXXX, I was never notified of any outstanding balance. My phone number and email address have remained unchanged since that time. I received no invoices, statements, ledgers, or collection notices from XXXX XXXX during this three-year period. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, I was contacted by SIMM Associates, who alleged that I owed {$2500.00} and further claimed that it appears I was making payments as recently as XX/XX/XXXX. This is false. I never made, nor authorized, any payments toward this account. If payments were in fact posted, then the source of those funds must be disclosed, as unauthorized application of VA benefits or XXXX funds would constitute a misuse of federal or state funds. 

When I requested validation of the debt, XXXX XXXX failed to provide complete records. They only produced an enrollment agreement and a ledger I had never previously received. I was never provided a student handbook despite their attempt to cite handbook policies against me. They have also claimed that I communicated with an individual named XXXX, yet they have failed to provide proof of any such communication, because none occurred. 

This matter constitutes an unfair, deceptive, and abusive practice in violation of consumer protection laws. I have documentary proof of my acceptance letter, tuition plan showing {$0.00} personal balance due, and my withdrawal within the allowable timeframe. The sudden appearance of a ledger and the initiation of debt collection three years later, without any prior notice, is unjust, misleading, and damaging to my credit. 

To further illustrate the misleading information, my enrollment agreement reflects my electronic signature dated XX/XX/XXXX via XXXX, yet it lists a start date of XX/XX/XXXX. In reality, I did not begin until XX/XX/XXXX. See attached.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation