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Before I can get my credit report from TransUnion, I have to send them my name, address, bank statement, ID, utility bill, blah, blah, blah... everything but my DNA. The last time I did that, my current information was there for ANYONE who pulled my report to see. I really really HATE that! It is not for verification purposes, it is there so they can add it to your credit report and SELL it to anyone. Sure they say the report is for only those who they (CRA) believe are authorized to receive it. Yea right, that would be anyone who PAYS for it. Anyone know how I can get my report without having to provide them with my current information? Can I like tell them, I will give you some OLD information that you already have on me! Any suggestions?

They will treat your tax rebate the same as your tax refund. If you live in a community state then there will be a 50/50 split. If you live in a non-community state, your rebate will be allocated according to the wages earned, per person. Your DH will get his share, but any share that should go to you will be offset. No new injured spouse form need to be completed, but your rebate may not come as soon as everyone elses. It takes time for them to process injured spouse, etc. Source: irs.gov And yes, while in rehab they will continue to take your refund.

I think one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing. As for the tax offset.. they'll continue to take your refund until your rehab is complete. Tax offset is not counted as payment toward your rehab, so if you get a notice stating your arrangement has been cancelled due to non payment, it might be that your 2/25 payment was not processed. Your best bet is to contact the office that you made the arrangement with. Ask if they received your payment because your bank account shows that the amount was debited. You don't have to speak to the lady you spoke with before, ask for a supervisor. Just don't ignore it. I've been in your shoes before, but it got better. Good luck!

I had to set up an account to get my free score. I tried to opt-out of their offers after I got my score, but was asked to enter a "security code" that wasn't even there. So, I'm going to have to wait until I get a million (exaggerating here) offers before I can opt-out. That sucks! I got my score though.. 633, however, my latest FICO score for TU is 674 (from yesterday). Transunion carries the lowest FICO for me, which is why I use "creditpull database" to see with whom I should apply and who I should stay far away from. LOL Thanks for the info!

You could be still enjoying life by laying low and paying minimum payments. Noooo..... geg, PLEASE take Lynn's advice and do NOT lay low. Lynn has helped me in my quest to take care of my defaulted student loan and my loan is no longer in default. Ultimately, you will have to choose, of course. I just wanted to share my experience and how it worked out great for me! I cannot express enough how great Lynn and some of the other members have helped me. None of the advice I was given was to "lay low." It won't go away! I did not offer a settlement, I rehabilitated. This might work for you because it sounds like you're in the same position I was in about a year and a half ago. I agreed to pay a specific amount every month to the collection agency by requesting a rehabilitation. My monthly payment was $150.00. I made 12 consecutive payments (now it's 9 months), and my rehabilitation was complete. Here's what happened when I rehabilitated: My interest and principal remained, but my fees and costs were removed. I no longer had to deal with the collection agency. My tax offset was removed. My credit report changed - it now reads, "paid as agreed/never late." My credit score jumped up that now I can apply for credit without any problems. I am eligible to apply for other student loans if I decide to return to school. Total peace of mind! It is possible that after rehabilitation your fees and penalties may be removed, so if I were to settle, I would not offer more than $9K (principal + interest). Good Luck!

Wow! I was going to list my 4 approved cards, but I don't have any really high CL to show off.

grendelselectric, Lynn is correct. I did not have to say anything, when my lender sent my payment coupons, the collection costs were gone.

Answer to Question 1) DOE did not want to talk to me once my records were sent to the CA. They had done all the talking they were going to. Answer to Question 2) REHAB! As long as I made my payments the CA did not hound me. As a matter- of-fact, in a few short weeks, we were actually civil to each other. I started REHAB, which was 12 continous on-time payments back then. I was in between payments when the requirement changed to 9 months. When it was done, my loan was picked up by another lender, the collection costs disappeared, my tax offset was removed within days, my credit scores improved dramatically, I never heard from the CA again and my monthly payment is now LESS than what I was paying during my REHAB. It was not easy. You do a lot of sacrificing just to make the payments sometimes, but when it's all done, the feeling of accomplishing a great task is undescribable! GOOD LUCK TO YOUR FRIEND!

Ah, that explains it then. While I have you here... Almost a year ago, I was being threatened by wage garnishment because of my defaulted student loan. The CA hounded me at home and work. They were pretty creative in making a person nervous. OK, I was in a state of panic! I knew of no one else in my situation so had no one to turn to to ask questions. Luckily, while searching google, I stumbled upon this forum and started reading. There were so many people facing the same crisis and they were getting answers. I braved it one day and decided to ask my own question. You answered my question. You made suggestions and directed me to the people who would be most helpful to me. I've gone from writing to the Ombudsmen, to the MN attorney - who was not too happy about Allied's tactics, to negotiating a reasonable and affordable payment (a little over 10%) with Allied, to entering the rehabilitation program and making on-time payments to the end of my default status and 30 days from my tax offset being lifted! (I spoke to the Treasury representative today on it) I'm excited and thrilled, and I owe a big thanks to you! So.... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I was hoping for that answer, but I just needed that added assurance. You know how things can get twisted. I can interpret something one way and before I can even blink the US Govt is snatching my refund because I didn't quite read it the way they had intended it to be read. It was a scary year for me. I did not want to be haunted by Allied again! On 2/07/07, the day I got the DOE letter, Allied called me to ask when I would be making a payment. You'd think they would know before DOE if I completed my rehabilitation, but I guess they didn't. Thank you!

Here is the number to call the Treasury Offset Program to see if there is an offset on you: 1-800-304-3107.

I just got my "congratulations" notice from DOE stating I have been rehabilitated, but I'm really not sure who to send my February payment to. If I was still in default, my February payment would be due 2/15/07 to Allied Interstate. The notice I got from DOE on 2/07/07, states that my payments are now payable to my new lender, CFS. CFS sends me a notice that my first payment is due on 3/7/07. Any idea who I should be paying? I like the CFS way, my payment amount is less than when I was in default! Thank you in advance!

Call the Dept of Education at 1-800-621-3115 and ask if your tax refund will be offset. If it is, they will explain why.

Thank you! I will continue with my rehab until I get a letter that my loan has been sold. I will consolidate then.

I received a "Waiver of Option to Consolidate" form to sign as I have just completed my required 9 payments to rehabilitate. Does anyone know if this is just another step to complete my rehabilitation or is signing the form giving the CA the right to hold my account? Here's what it says: "I hereby decline to apply, at this time, for a Consolidation Loan to payoff the defaulted loan(s) which I am now repaying to the Department of Education. After I make the required payments, I intend that the Department sell my loans to a lender. I understand after that sale, my loans will be considered rehabilitated. I understand that the monthly payments I will be required make to the lender after the sale may be substantially larger than the payments I would be required to make if I were to obtain a Consolidation Loan for this debt and if I were to make use of the longer repayment periods allowed for consolidation loans." Any advice? Thank you in advance!