Dept. of Education told me I couldn't rehab through them?

[IheartLoopHoles]

Ok, back in July I sent a letter to the Dept. of Education letting them know that I am now in a position to start repaying my debt. (Defaulted less than 12 months ago).

 

Never heard back from them.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I follow up with them to see if I can make payment arrangements through their rehab program which I had just read up about on their website.

 

The lady told me that I couldn't do that through the DOE anymore, I would have to do it through Collectors of America or whatever the stupid CA's name was. She said the only way I could have it changed was if I was somehow being mistreated by the CA and then I might be able to have the debt pulled back by writing a letter of complaint to the DOE.

 

Something about this woman rubbed me the wrong way, and I felt she wasn't being totally truthful. Is what she said correct?

 

As a preventative measure, I sent a letter to the DOE stating that I would not deal with the CA (kind of eluded to being harrassed but didn't flat out say it).

 

If they don't pull it back, do I make rehab arrangements through the CA? How do I know they won't screw me? Wink and a prayer?

 

Thanks guys, I'm scared! It's just under $20k so the sooner I have it paid off the better!

[LynnInMN]

Ok, back in July I sent a letter to the Dept. of Education letting them know that I am now in a position to start repaying my debt. (Defaulted less than 12 months ago).

 

DOE does not respond/negotiate via mail.

 

Never heard back from them.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I follow up with them to see if I can make payment arrangements through their rehab program which I had just read up about on their website.

 

The lady told me that I couldn't do that through the DOE anymore, I would have to do it through Collectors of America or whatever the stupid CA's name was. She said the only way I could have it changed was if I was somehow being mistreated by the CA and then I might be able to have the debt pulled back by writing a letter of complaint to the DOE.

 

Something about this woman rubbed me the wrong way, and I felt she wasn't being totally truthful. Is what she said correct?

 

As a preventative measure, I sent a letter to the DOE stating that I would not deal with the CA (kind of eluded to being harrassed but didn't flat out say it).

 

If they don't pull it back, do I make rehab arrangements through the CA? How do I know they won't screw me? Wink and a prayer?

 

Thanks guys, I'm scared! It's just under $20k so the sooner I have it paid off the better!

 

You do not have a choice as to who you work with. Accounts assigned to a CA stay with the CA....they will not pull it back. You can elude to anything you want....really without proof of a violation they will not recall it. In fact your letter could end up doing more damage....the DOE will probably forward it to the CA and if you were lying or eluding to something that is not true, they are more likely to start garnishment proceedings against you, just to avoid the hassles.

 

Play nice, call the CA and set up your rehab. Do not write to them either. They will not respond.

[IheartLoopHoles]

Lovely, so I essentially shot myself in the foot.

 

Good to know. Thanks Lynn.

 

One more question, once it went to the CA, it started reporting like, 4 seperate accounts totalling the $20 in addition to the one that had been reporting all along for a total of another $20k so it looks like I have a total of $40k debt when really it is only half of that.

 

Can I do something to fix that now? If not, will they fix it after I rehab...if they even let me do that?