Student Loan collection sent to wrong address

[usctrojans]

For the past 2 years or so, I have been paying off student loans without one late payment, about 15 accounts in total. However, in May I get a call that a student loan I wasn't even aware of was 120 days late. So I immediately put it into deferment cause I was slightly short of cash at that point (cause it was 4 months of built up payments). But, I had never received one notice in the mail prior. I believe they had been sending them to my mom's old address, where I haven't even lived at home for the past 3 years. Looking at my credit report now, it shows up as OK in Feb and March, and then all of sudden 90 and 120 days late in April and May.

 

Would the fact that I had never received a paper notice be reasonable grounds to dispute this?

 

Should I stop deferment and just start paying it, cause I can afford to now? It's serviced by the Dept of Education and I think it mentioned that they pay for some part of the interest, so would it be in my best interest to just continue deferment?

 

Do I delete all addresses on my credit reports except the one I live in now, as I think the old address that the notices were being sent to is on mine as of now?

 

Thanks!

[snowpuppy]

If the loans are with Direct Lending (US Dept of Ed) they're going to say that it's up to you to update your addy's with them. The Feds will only pay interest on a deferment, not a temporary forbearance. And that only applies to the subsidized portion of your loans so interest is accruing.

 

DL will hunt you down. Keep in mind that when you signed your Master Promissory Notes, you included references. They have those names and addy's on file to contact if you go into default.

 

If you have more than 1 loan, you can ask about consolidation so that you only have 1 payment.

 

If you're in default, you will be eligible for rehab.