What the hell? They want my SSN!

[cinammonkisses]

I haven't lived with my mom in almost 4yrs. My mom just called me a second ago and said some man call stating that he had a private, personal matter concerning me. My mom asked if she could take a message, and he said no. My mom then called and gave me the number.

 

I called, and a woman answered. She immediately asked for my phone number, and I repeated my moms number, NOT my personal home number. She said, "for verification purposes, I'll need the last 4 digits of your social security number" I refused telling her that that is an invasion of my privacy. She then started getting snappy talking about, "well if you can't supply that information then I have no idea who I am talking to." again, I refused to give her the last 4 digits of my social. She continued to get more hostile with me. So she told me if I wasn't going to give her this information then they'll just keep calling me every day. I told her that she cannot do that because it's against the law. Any correspondance they want to have with me they need to do so in writing. She then yelled, talking about, "no that's your job to handle your own business. It's up to you to write us" But yet, she didn't tell me who she was when I originally called.

 

So, after I hung up on her, I dialed the number in the google. 513-605-7537 The information that came up surprised me: General Revenue (Sallie Mae collections)

 

Now, I'm wondering why they decided to call me when I'm in school...I'm not going to give them any of my personal information. Any ideas???

[ignoranceIsn'tBliss]

I haven't lived with my mom in almost 4yrs. My mom just called me a second ago and said some man call stating that he had a private, personal matter concerning me. My mom asked if she could take a message, and he said no. My mom then called and gave me the number.

 

I called, and a woman answered. She immediately asked for my phone number, and I repeated my moms number, NOT my personal home number. She said, "for verification purposes, I'll need the last 4 digits of your social security number" I refused telling her that that is an invasion of my privacy. She then started getting snappy talking about, "well if you can't supply that information then I have no idea who I am talking to." again, I refused to give her the last 4 digits of my social. She continued to get more hostile with me. So she told me if I wasn't going to give her this information then they'll just keep calling me every day. I told her that she cannot do that because it's against the law. Any correspondance they want to have with me they need to do so in writing. She then yelled, talking about, "no that's your job to handle your own business. It's up to you to write us" But yet, she didn't tell me who she was when I originally called.

 

So, after I hung up on her, I dialed the number in the google. 513-605-7537 The information that came up surprised me: General Revenue (Sallie Mae collections)

 

Now, I'm wondering why they decided to call me when I'm in school...I'm not going to give them any of my personal information. Any ideas???

 

I'm really not surprised by that at all. Because of privacy laws, we have to verify each person before giving account information. If she gives you information about your file before verifying you, she could get canned on the spot. Privacy violations are a big no no. It's a catch 22.

 

Whenever I do outbound calling, I'm required to get full ssn, and address before discussing any specifics about the file. For inbound, it's full ssn or acct#, student name, address, and DOB before giving information.

[cinammonkisses]

I'm really not surprised by that at all. Because of privacy laws, we have to verify each person before giving account information. If she gives you information about your file before verifying you, she could get canned on the spot. Privacy violations are a big no no. It's a catch 22.

 

Whenever I do outbound calling, I'm required to get full ssn, and address before discussing any specifics about the file. For inbound, it's full ssn or acct#, student name, address, and DOB before giving information.

 

Thanks for responding, but I just dont understand why they are calling me at all. I'm still in school, so I shouldn't be needing to pay any money. PLUS they called my moms house, not me. All of my student loans are in my moms name. Also, when the lady answered, she didn't even say the company name. She just answered "hello"

[LynnInMN]

I would suggest calling them and finding out what they want. It is always possible that something has slipped into default or something is wrong. Or log into http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

Maybe NSLDS can shed some light on what is up. Not calling could end you up in hot water.

[cinammonkisses]

I would suggest calling them and finding out what they want. It is always possible that something has slipped into default or something is wrong. Or log into http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

Maybe NSLDS can shed some light on what is up. Not calling could end you up in hot water.

 

Thanks for that link. I have nothing on there from General Rev. only from Great Lakes which is my Guaranter. On there, they have me down for some repayments, when I was out of my grace period before heading back to school. So from all 5 loans total, I owe $164 in total interest. But still, General Revenue is no where on this paperwork.

 

Lynn, do you think I should call the General Revenue people back or what?? Hopefully I won't get "miss mouse" again..sheesh

[LynnInMN]

I would suggest calling them and finding out what they want. It is always possible that something has slipped into default or something is wrong. Or log into http://www.nslds.ed.gov/nslds_SA/

Maybe NSLDS can shed some light on what is up. Not calling could end you up in hot water.

 

Thanks for that link. I have nothing on there from General Rev. only from Great Lakes which is my Guaranter. On there, they have me down for some repayments, when I was out of my grace period before heading back to school. So from all 5 loans total, I owe $164 in total interest. But still, General Revenue is no where on this paperwork.

 

Lynn, do you think I should call the General Revenue people back or what?? Hopefully I won't get "miss mouse" again..sheesh

 

 

General Revenue represents many guarantors so they are probably calling on behalf of great lakes. The CA's never appear on NDSL.

 

Yes you should call them.

[Cynic]

Thanks for responding, but I just dont understand why they are calling me at all. I'm still in school, so I shouldn't be needing to pay any money.

PLUS they called my moms house, not me.

All of my student loans are in my moms name...

 

On there, they have me down for some repayments, when I was out of my grace period before heading back to school. So from all 5 loans total, I owe $164 in total interest. That's never accurate. Read their own FAQ and they'll tell you the same thing.

 

OP, you may have really messed up.

 

If you're seeing loans from entering your SSN, PIN, etc in NSLDS, those loans are your responsibility, not your momma's.

 

Check NSLDS again for status...(anything but deferment you're may be in trouble) and date last updated. If date last updated is more then 2-3 months ago call immediately.

[LynnInMN]

Another thing...if they are calling you you at your mom's house, that would indicate that you have not updated your lender with your contact information. As Cynic states, it they are calling for you, there are loans in your name. If you are now back in school and something has defaulted, you may have some big problems.

[Cynic]

yep...I have read up a bit more on that particular SLM company, and they would be calling for 1 of 2 reasons:

 

1) to collect a defaulted student loan, or

 

2) to collect some other debt.

 

 

OP, here some conditions of your promissory note that might be relevant to your situation:

 

You will receive one six-month grace period for each loan, that begins the day after you stop attending school or drop below half-time enrollment. The repayment period for each loan begins on the day after your grace period ends.

 

You must make payments on your loan even if you do not receive a bill or repayment notice. Billing information is sent to you as a convenience, and you are obligated to make payments even if you do not receive a notice or bill.

 

You are required to notify your loan holder immediately if you change your local address, permanent address, or telephone number.

 

You may receive a deferment based on your enrollment in school on at least a half-time basis if you submit a deferment request form to the loan holder, along with documentation of your eligibility for the deferment, or if they are notified by your school that you are attending at least half-time.

Edited March 24, 2007 by Cynic

[cinammonkisses]

OP, you may have really messed up.

 

If you're seeing loans from entering your SSN, PIN, etc in NSLDS, those loans are your responsibility, not your momma's.

 

Check NSLDS again for status...(anything but deferment you're may be in trouble) and date last updated. If date last updated is more then 2-3 months ago call immediately.

 

Wait, I never said it was my moms responsibility. I pay my own bills! What I'm saying is, I shouldn't be having any interest as of yet because I'm in school. Even when I wasn't activily registered, I never went over my 6month grace period.

[cinammonkisses]

Another thing...if they are calling you you at your mom's house, that would indicate that you have not updated your lender with your contact information. As Cynic states, it they are calling for you, there are loans in your name. If you are now back in school and something has defaulted, you may have some big problems.

 

I talk to Great Lakes often to check and make sure everything is fine. They have always called my house, and any written correspondance goes to my address.

Edited March 24, 2007 by cinammonkisses

[cinammonkisses]

Ok, update:

 

I just got off the phone w/ NSLDS people and I was transferred to a girl who can pull up my loans to see who my servicers are. I told her my situation and she said every step I made was what I was supposed to do. She said my accounts are all in excellent standing PLUS I dont have any loans out of Sallie Mae. She told me there are alot of scams going on, and from the way I described how the girl was talking to me yesterday it could've well been a scam they were trying to pull on me. She told me that I'll need to call the Fraud Investigator General (something like that) so that they can add the phone number they called me from on watch. So, now I'm feeling just a little bit better.

[CH3]

Ok, update:

 

I just got off the phone w/ NSLDS people and I was transferred to a girl who can pull up my loans to see who my servicers are. I told her my situation and she said every step I made was what I was supposed to do. She said my accounts are all in excellent standing PLUS I dont have any loans out of Sallie Mae. She told me there are alot of scams going on, and from the way I described how the girl was talking to me yesterday it could've well been a scam they were trying to pull on me. She told me that I'll need to call the Fraud Investigator General (something like that) so that they can add the phone number they called me from on watch. So, now I'm feeling just a little bit better.

 

I'm glad to read that everything is ok and that you've averted a potential scam!

[LynnInMN]

Maybe before you start running off screaming "fraud" or "spam" you should call them back to see what they want. They only asked for the last 4 digits of your SSI #. Get you facts straight first.

[Cynic]

Wait, I never said it was my moms responsibility. I pay my own bills!

 

Actually, you said:

 

All of my student loans are in my moms name.

 

which would imply that your loans were all your mom responsibility, at least from a legal perspective.

 

I shouldn't be having any interest as of yet because I'm in school.

 

As Lynn pointed out, you need to get your facts straight:

 

-Fact: Stafford unsubsidized loans will accrue interest from the day they are disbursed, regardless of deferment status.

 

-Fact: the company that called you is a debt collector, who, as Lynn mentioned, is contracted by many guarantors (and schools) to collect debts, some of which are not even educational in nature. Whether you took out loans from Sallie Mae is therefore completely irrelevent.

 

-Fact: Office of the Inspector General is who you call about fraud, but you don't even know why they are calling you, so you would have no way of knowing whether or not anything fraudulent was going on.

 

Stop making excuses, contradicting yourself, and saying things that make it completely clear you don't even understand your own student loans, and find out why they are calling you!!!

Edited March 24, 2007 by Cynic

[scout99]

How could they be a scam if you traced the number they were calling from (Sallie Mae)?

[cinammonkisses]

Wait, I never said it was my moms responsibility. I pay my own bills!

 

Actually, you said:

 

All of my student loans are in my moms name.

 

which would imply that your loans were all your mom responsibility, at least from a legal perspective.

 

I shouldn't be having any interest as of yet because I'm in school.

 

As Lynn pointed out, you need to get your facts straight:

 

-Fact: Stafford unsubsidized loans will accrue interest from the day they are disbursed, regardless of deferment status.

 

-Fact: the company that called you is a debt collector, who, as Lynn mentioned, is contracted by many guarantors (and schools) to collect debts, some of which are not even educational in nature. Whether you took out loans from Sallie Mae is therefore completely irrelevent.

 

-Fact: Office of the Inspector General is who you call about fraud, but you don't even know why they are calling you, so you would have no way of knowing whether or not anything fraudulent was going on.

 

Stop making excuses, contradicting yourself, and saying things that make it completely clear you don't even understand your own student loans, and find out why they are calling you!!!

 

Listen, you're right. I did make a typo. I'm still fairly new to re-editing and after I said that the loans are "in my moms name" I actually needed to put some additional words in there.

 

Listen, I dont know what your problem with me is but whatever it is can you please just drop it. I asked for assistance on this matter and ever since your first response to me it has been in a rude manner. You have offered absolutely NOTHING to me in this thread. So please just do me a favor and dont even bother responding

Edited March 24, 2007 by cinammonkisses

[cinammonkisses]

Maybe before you start running off screaming "fraud" or "spam" you should call them back to see what they want. They only asked for the last 4 digits of your SSI #. Get you facts straight first.

 

Well the woman that I spoke with from NSDSL said that I was right in not even given her that supply of information. Like I said, I'm calling Great Lakes in the morning.

[cinammonkisses]

How could they be a scam if you traced the number they were calling from (Sallie Mae)?

 

I put the number in google. Other people in another board said they suspected the number was from General Revenue (Sallie Mae) but no one was totally sure. And anyway, I dont even have any loans under Sallie Mae

[cinammonkisses]

As Lynn pointed out, you need to get your facts straight:

 

-Fact: Stafford unsubsidized loans will accrue interest from the day they are disbursed, regardless of deferment status.

 

ALL of my loans are subsidized...

[LynnInMN]

You need to call General Revenue, not Great Lakes. Start by working backwards properly. It is possible that they are not representing Great Lakes.

[Mr.X]

Maybe before you start running off screaming "fraud" or "spam" you should call them back to see what they want. They only asked for the last 4 digits of your SSI #. Get you facts straight first.

 

Well the woman that I spoke with from NSDSL said that I was right in not even given her that supply of information. Like I said, I'm calling Great Lakes in the morning.

Well I do not give out my ssi # over the phone, even to "authorized bill collectors" , if they need to contact you they can use USPS!

 

Of the student loans I have dealt with, the the people have always been friendly and easy to deal with, so yeah when the mouse started showing her colors I sure as heck would have hung up!

 

As far as the phone call? I believe they call that phishing, and it has been my experience that when a creditor attempts to contact me an overwhelming majority of the time they do so by USPS (I work and they have my address).

If you have called the loan department and everything is fine then kewl

[LynnInMN]

Maybe before you start running off screaming "fraud" or "spam" you should call them back to see what they want. They only asked for the last 4 digits of your SSI #. Get you facts straight first.

 

Well the woman that I spoke with from NSDSL said that I was right in not even given her that supply of information. Like I said, I'm calling Great Lakes in the morning.

Well I do not give out my ssi # over the phone, even to "authorized bill collectors" , if they need to contact you they can use USPS!

 

Well then you have a lot to learn about federal student loan collections....they are referenced by SSI# They will send general letters,but they will not correspond to specific questions and answers. If you want to be difficult, they will resort immediately to garnishment.

 

Of the student loans I have dealt with, the the people have always been friendly and easy to deal with, so yeah when the mouse started showing her colors I sure as heck would have hung up!

 

That gives them grounds to garnish you!

 

As far as the phone call? I believe they call that phishing, and it has been my experience that when a creditor attempts to contact me an overwhelming majority of the time they do so by USPS (I work and they have my address).

If you have called the loan department and everything is fine then kewl

Ever heard what happens to people who "assume" everything?? Student loans are serious business. It is possible they are calling for something or someone else. Never assume...always confirm.

 

[Mr.X]

Maybe before you start running off screaming "fraud" or "spam" you should call them back to see what they want. They only asked for the last 4 digits of your SSI #. Get you facts straight first.

 

Well the woman that I spoke with from NSDSL said that I was right in not even given her that supply of information. Like I said, I'm calling Great Lakes in the morning.

Well I do not give out my ssi # over the phone, even to "authorized bill collectors" , if they need to contact you they can use USPS!

 

Well then you have a lot to learn about federal student loan collections....they are referenced by SSI# They will send general letters,but they will not correspond to specific questions and answers. If you want to be difficult, they will resort immediately to garnishment.

 

Of the student loans I have dealt with, the the people have always been friendly and easy to deal with, so yeah when the mouse started showing her colors I sure as heck would have hung up!

 

That gives them grounds to garnish you!

 

As far as the phone call? I believe they call that phishing, and it has been my experience that when a creditor attempts to contact me an overwhelming majority of the time they do so by USPS (I work and they have my address).

If you have called the loan department and everything is fine then kewl

Ever heard what happens to people who "assume" everything?? Student loans are serious business. It is possible they are calling for something or someone else. Never assume...always confirm.

 

Wow a bit fisty arent we?

Well it has been several yrs since college, perhaps they no longer simply send a late notice? They now go straight to collections without so much as a letter to the debtor?

 

Ok well I got my loan and got out of the system unscaved I guess, because I was even offered defered payments by these nice people when I was in the hospital and late with my payments!

 

I don't have a problem with your bad attitudes, however I do have a problem with two of you being rude to someone who is simply here asking some questions!

 

This will really irritate you,

I was able to dispute lates on my old school loans and it worked!!! BUWAHAHAHA!

[Cynic]

This will really irritate you,

I was able to dispute lates on my old school loans and it worked!!! BUWAHAHAHA!

 

Huh? Why the hell would I care? If they can't verify they have to remove.