Anonymous

Very rude representative from Sallie Mae!!

I got billed twice and just wanted an explanation and for that to be cleared to get rid of an overdraft fee they caused , I was treated very rudely and the representative was almost yelling at me. It was an obvious complaint and i don't think its unreasonable to want to not be billed twice. They have lost my business and am changing companies. Very dissapointed with this company. i would not get a loan with them I have to call them constantly because they dont process my checks in time, or they bill me incorrect amounts. Getting called from collections 50 times a day , but can't get 2 minutes to explain why I am billed incorrectly.
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Loss:
$130
Anonymous

Unable to contact advisor to ask questions and get copies of paperwork

Unable to find documents at website. Called customer service and took 30 minutes to get some simple answers. Asked for copies of promissory note and other documents to be sent to me. They promised to send them. Ten days later, I called again, couldn't get through. I finally called their collection department and was able to get some answers. I am still waiting for documents so I can make payments. Sallie Mae refuses to correspond via regular mail or via email or any way in writing. All I want is a copy of the promissory note, instructions on how to make payments and instructions on how to prepay portions of the loan. I would also like an email and snail mail address so I can send written messages. Again, these people are extremely difficult to contact and my experience with other loan sources has been much better.
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Anonymous
map-marker Richmond, Virginia

Sallie Mae made unauthorized attempts to take money out of bank account and then tried to deny it.

I developed chondromalacia and became unable to work. I informed Sallie Mae of this, but I received a default letter in March. I told Sallie Mae that my next appointment was April 16th. It was then that I would find out if I could work or not. They told me that even though it's a permanent disability, that if I were to default, then there was nothing I can do. I was told to enroll for the rate reduction plan to stop from defaulting. I knew I didn't have the money, but I agreed so I wouldn't default. Then I was able to get my uncle to pay on March 31st. I called to stop them from taking money out of my bank account. They agreed to this and then we agreed for me to pay at the end of April after my doctor's appointment on April 16th. On April 2nd and April 9th, Sallie Mae tried to take money out of my bank and caused my bank account to be withdrawn twice (Please remember that they told me that I didn't have to pay until the end of April) They also still called me 10-15 times a day. Sallie Mae denied everything from the phone calls to the bank account. I had proof from my bank, however, and I called the numbers. All of them were Sallie Mae. After my complaint, that's when the phone calls ceased. My uncle paid for April, but then he couldn't help me anymore. Sallie Mae didn't do anything for May, but in June they wrote a check in my name and withdrew my bank account again. They told me that I had authorized this. I did not authorize this. My question is why they didn't try to take money out of my bank account in May, if I had authorized this. Also, why would I authorize this when I did not have any money in my bank account? This is my entire complaint against Sallie Mae.
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Loss:
$96
Anonymous
map-marker Hartford, Connecticut

Sallie Mae- Dont Trust Them!

I wish I had never used Sallie Mae! If my review can stop anyone else from using this company, I will be happy. I have so many complaints about Sallie Mae it's ridiculous. First of all, do not let them fool you, they DO NOT care about their customers! Their interest rates are way too high and all they care about is getting money from poor college students and their families. Don't let them "help you" pay for college. Their system is also extremely messed up. They screwed up my online payments for months, saying that I paid them hundreds of dollars one month and none other months, when I have been making the same online payments for years! I have also been experiencing a problem logging into my account online. I have encountered this problem numerous times, month after month when I try to log on. Customer service is not helpful AT ALL! They don't know what they are doing. They fix the problem temporarily but then it happens again the next time I try to log on. Bottom line: STAY AWAY FROM SALLIE MAE! Use Discover loans if you need personal loans.
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Anonymous
map-marker Baltimore, Maryland

Student loans interest and late fees for one month were more than my original payment!!

Since graduating from culinary college in 2011 my son and I have been inundated with harassing calls,emails and letters for student loan (private). Not only did I (mother) have to pay interest on the loans the entire time he was in school (approximately $5K0 BUT the from 2011 until 2013 my son had to make payments of interest of approx.$3k adding to the 5 from me . this is over $8,000 in interest only payments and not one payment on principle. Now (since june 2013) MY SONS PAYMENT ARE OVER $300.00 PER MONTH AND IF LATE HIS MONTHLY PAYMENT CAN GO OVER $600.00 WITH THE 50% in late and other fees they charge. When we called to get some help with making payments on time and getting a more suitable payment schedule they said my son who makes about $46,000 per year and not only pays sallie mae student loan payments but dept of ed in the amount of $250.00 per month, said he makes enough money to pay over $300 per month. He clears maybe $2000.00 per month which leaves $1600 per month for rent,health ins(now a must),food,insurances (home&car),clothing,gas and maintenance on the car (which is a must to work)and entertainment. I am on disability and since I cosigned the loan and spoke to them. They agreed that I couldnot be of any help yet they call me, email me and send nasty letters every single month if he is even one day late.I filed a complaint with BBB and they said they'll look into, this was months ago.HELP
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Loss:
$8000
Anonymous
map-marker Englewood, Colorado

Sallie Mae - Payment Allocation Review from Englewood, Colorado

I have spent 6 hours through 4 calls with SM in an attempt to update my address. Months later they continue to send statements to my former address. They have also blatantly ignored my typed instructions for payment allocation on every payment I have submitted with such instructions. SM is clearly trying to screw people out of time and money. If I don't receive my statement in time, I face potential late fees. If they don't allocate as instructed, I'm paying more in interest. Fraud in my book. SEC needs to do something about SM.
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Julitza Gob
map-marker Norway, South Carolina

Racist against spanish speaking consumers who live in California.

Sallie mae or should I say this *** Racist *** prejudice harrasers inc. Could all *** them selves while sitting on that log of company and their share holders. Stop the *** Calling. Stop the *** non educated way of explaining this company can't afford to get an english speaking sallie Mae *** to translate in Spanish *** *** How could u actually do buisness with a student that has his mother being harass by u Fat *** cows...and not being able to understand english and then having u *** hang up on her. Thanks to Her I am educated and I Will see all ppl. Associated in shpe or form even share holders and all of its employers and employees even janitor pay for all injustice and lying and racism harrasment threatning by Sallie Mae incorporated in federal court. Ill see who reslly is the low class scumm log riding *** u will pay all who u done damage and money is not what I seek I speak for my self. For the rest I speak for all.
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4 comments
Guest

Why are you calling them racist? Are you assuming that everyone who doesn't speak Spanish is a racist?

I think you should stop with the slander and Pay your bills.

You signed a contract in which you agreed to pay back money that Salle Mae agreed to lend you with a specified interest rate. Regardless of your situation and circumstances they lived up to their end of the deal, so live up to yours.

Guest

Haha. You don't sound educated enough to debate a 1st grader let alone take on the Largest Private Financial Provider for Education.

Guest

I wouldn't thank her just yet...

Guest

You can't even speak for yourself! Let the "rest" look after themselves.

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Jeziah Coc
map-marker Ypsilanti, Michigan

Called my job, threatened my mom

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/eliminate-predatory-lending-beast-we-know-sallie-mae/71wwgTRg Please join me. I am not going to take this anymore. What they are doing is harassment. I have been paying these jerks what I can owe them although they have been completely unhelpful, still expecting me to pay more than what I even make a month. Since they refuse to help me, I am going to explore other options. They have threatened my mother, who is retired, saying that they are going to "find where she works", etc. That is the last straw. I do not understand how this company has not been hit with more lawsuits.
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6 comments
Guest

If you cannot pay your loan how are you going to afford a lawyer? Seriously they are not harassing you, they simply want the money you owe them.

They are calling your mother because you are being childish and not paying your bills, seriously grow up and pay your bills.

You do not really care about them harassing your mother, what you are really afraid of is your mother will see you acting like a six year old by not paying your bills and throwing a temper tantrum when asked to pay. You are worried she will be disappointed in you and side with them.(If she taught you anything she would tell you to grow up and pay your bill.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-853968

You sound as dumb as the previous poster. I have been paying just like I pay the rest of my bills. Don't bother to respond anymore if you have nothing of value to say.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-854426

I suggest if you came here to hope people will side with you that you leave this site, the point is not only is your not accepting responsibility childish so is your comments to others. Funny how someone who is college aged results to childish name calling when they are told they are wrong, wonder how you made it past kindergarten.

I hope they find where your mother works and tells her you are not paying your FULL bill. I should call you dumb but that would be the same as your childish attitude and I don't want to stoop to your childish level. You did not pay your whole bill that is the issue and that cannot penetrate through your thick skull. Too bad mommy did not teach you to take responsibility for your actions, and if she did she has a right to know what a disappointment you turned out to be.

If you are going to have hurt feelings just because you are told you are wrong than this site isn't for you.

You post a review people have the right to leave comments whether you like them or not. It is obvious you have a lot of growing up to do.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-854461

Says someone sitting on the other side of a computer screen who only knows about me what I put in a post...I AM paying my full bill... It ends up taking a major chunk away from my income for my actual living expenses...

I do need to eat and have a place to live...

THAT IS THE PROBLEM... NOT PAYING THE DEBT ITSELF, I NEVER SAID I DID NOT OWE IT AND I DEFINITELY NEVER SAID I WOULD NOT PAY!

Guest

I highly doubt they threatened your mother. Every call Salle Mae has with consumers is recorded.

So when people don't like what they are hearing, they run to some attorney and do the "he said, she said" song and dance in front of some judge. Also, it is not a threat to tell some one who signed a legal document agreeing to disclose all financial information that they will find out where they work. Salle Mae has the right to do that, as does Chase or Bank of America or little old mom and pop cash advance business. This is a standard clause in 99% of money lending contracts.

That being said, it is illegal for them to tell your work any details regarding your debt owed. They can only state who they are and who they are looking for. This technique is meant to embarrass people into paying. Is it ethical?

Maybe, maybe not. Does not matter because you gave them permission to call them. You signed the contract and if you had read the whole thing before you signed it you would know this. Point being you never sign anything with out reading it all the way through.

I would wish you luck in your pursuit to screw over the company that gave you the means to pay for an education but it would be pointless. You will not win.

Why? Because you are trying to weasel your way out of debt because you don't like the actions they take when you don't pay.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-853951

Actually I have been paying them--and yes they absolutely did tell my mom they would find out where she worked, whether or not you believe them I could not care less.

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Anonymous
map-marker Minneapolis, Minnesota

Withdrew unauthorized ACH amount

In November Sallie Mae agreed on a $50 a month payment plan on a small private loan as long as I signed up for auto debit. On 12/27 they took out a payment of $530 & sent me an email on 12/28 to notify me of the change!

Is this legal? I highly doubt it.

How can a company take out more than you give them permission to and let you know after the fact?

Of course this is all on a weekend and I have to hope my bank will reverse the ACH and Sallie Mae will agree to it. I am not too hopeful though as I read a lot of people experiencing the same problem with no luck.

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2 comments
Guest

My loans are with Sallie Mae and they wanted me to do that as well. I have listened to several consumer warriors and they all say NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give out bank info for auto draft because of this very thing. You gave them permission to deduct and they will and can abuse that authority.

Guest

When you agreed to the $50, did you read the fine print? I doubt it, no one does.

You probably wrongfully presumed you had a grasp of the situation. You felt you knew what you were agreeing to, so I'd bet $100 you clicked on agree somewhere online and didn't even bother to open and read what you clicked because you 'trusted' Sallie and you only thought you knew what was going down. It NEVER EVER ever everrrrrr matters what a business person explains to you! If you click 'Agree', that's legally binding and non-negotiable.

Didn't anyone ever teach you never to sign anything you don't read? You haven't even answered and I already know you didn't read it :-) You're scrrewwed :p

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Anonymous
map-marker Wallingford, Pennsylvania

Sallie Mae calls me 560 times a month.

I co-signed school loans for my son because I was told by Sallie Mae that was the only way he could borrow the money. We pay what we can afford monthly and even if I pay they still call me. One person at Sallie Mae told me I have a disposable income monthly of $195.00 so I can give to them. I am years old and how am I going to live in retirement if I give them every penny?They are always rude when they call from Sallie Mae and condescending. Reduce the loans to make more affordable please.
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Anonymous

Defered Payment

I am in forberance and was asked to fill out paperwork for a deferment. I am on SSDI and am having a hard time paying my bills. I have sent in my paperwork twice and still Sallie Mae say's I need to do it again. I really am not sure what they want as I keep getting the same paperwork to fill out. Sallie Mae is the worst company to deal with and I wish that I had done some research on them before I obtained a loan. I am very confused on what to do and Sallie Mae is no help at all.
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Anonymous
map-marker Pleasanton, California

Don't use Sallie Mae! They will decline your loan based on how much you use your credit cards!!!

I am writing to you in reference to the credit decision made on my student loan request on April 8,2013 for $3,300.00. The credit decision made on my loan was clearly discriminating based on my co-signer, who has a 720 score, 15 years employment at Stanford University and has no derogatory credit items on his credit and is more than qualified as a credit worthy co-signer.

On or around April 8,2013, The call center contacted me to reach my co-signer to clarify their obligation to co-sign for my student loan and my co-signer Sergio contacted Cory on April 12, 2013 to discuss his inquiry. Cory had asked my co-signer “ You have to many credit cards open, and what are you spending on these cards”, Sergio informed him that what he spends on his credit cards is not of his concern as Sergio pays as agreed to all his accounts including his credit cards. Cory informed Sergio that he would have to decline the loan because Sergio would not inform him what he is spending on his credit cards!!!!

This is appalling to hear their call center rep asked such questions about the use of someone’s personal credit cards and the loan was declined based that Sergio would not inform him his personal usage of his credit cards, or shall we say in the banking world, “ Excessive use of credit obligations by others” would be more of the term used as I told them that I would like a specific reason why my credit worthy co-signer who has over a 720 score, 15 yrs in the same jobs, only 65% usage of DTI on his credit cards and pays as agreed is not credit worthy? Below is the statement Sergio informed me by email and you should review how your rep communicated to him, “ I was very surprised, because he was telling me I should not have so many open credit cards with high balances. I should only have one or two. So I told him that he should mind his own business and it wasn't any of his business how I ran my financial life, and then he said that it was his business if it affected the repayment of the loan…..that's when he said they were denying me as a co-signer…so I just hung up on him.”

I have commissioned the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau and the ECOA to conduct a full investigation into this decision as my co-signer is more than qualified to co-sign for this loan. I have urged both agencies to conduct a comparison analyst review of loans given to others with co-signers with the same credit background.

It is with regret that I will never apply with their Bank and I have over 15 years experience as a FHA and VA Underwriter in Credit policy and fully knowledge in credit policy with the ECOA and Regulatory requirements by Banks. I have never in my life made a determination on a credit decision to someone based on how much they use their credit cards. As long as the consumer meets the terms and conditions of the creditor, pays as agreed, shows they are credit worthy and for your rep to ask such personal questions is violation of my co-signer’s personal civil rights.

I would also suggest their internal Risk Management and Legal Department investigate on how their credit determinations are made on consumer’s with Stella credit are made as this reflection has made a permeate reflection on how this Bank crosses the line on consumer personal usage of their credit as the balances on a credit card does not constitute a denial on credit!!!

You may forward the specific reasons for the denial of my loan application to my address above and I urge your upper management to re-evaluate your credit guidelines to assure that your employee’s are complying with your policies and the ECOA laws that protect personal information on borrowers and that they comply through Fair Credit Billing Act outlined by the FDIC.

BEWARE CONSUMERS!!!

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Loss:
$3300
5 comments
Guest

This is a weird company. I had a $10,000 loan approved with a cosigner without an issue.

I went to apply for a $3,000 with the same cosigner, and it was denied. Granted, my credit it's great, but my cosigner has amazing credit. 1 credit card that is paid off in full each month, paid off his mortgage 3 years early, 1 car payment, over $250,000 in retirement and savings, and a job with a decent salary. Blows my mind!

Plus, I've been making the interest payments on time every month while being in school. All signs would point to this is a worthy applicant, but, still denied!

Guest

Be glad they didn't approve you. You're lucky.

I was approved and they are the worst company to deal with. They have no ethics and will steal every penny you have.

Guest

Funny, when I applied for loans through Sallie Mae a couple years ago I was approved instantaneously. I had zero credit history and no co-signer but had no problem qualifying for a loan in any amount I desired. Does that seem odd to anyone else?

Guest

Sallie Mae prides itself on scamming students - why would Direct federal loans transfer loans to this servicer when so many complaints about the company

I had no problems with direct loans but since mandatory transfer to Sallie Mae I have been lied to, refused deferments & almost tricked into accepting a lower payment but not told my interest rate would increase from 4% to 8.5 %

Oh Beware this monster Sallie Mae

Guest

This is a ridiculous complaint. According to your statement, your cosigner has high balances on his credit cards.

They are completely within their rights to deny based on that.

A FICO number is not the be all end all of credit scores and decisions that are based on credit reports. They look at the actual credit report, look at credit card balances, etc., to decide whether they think the person is creditworthy or not.

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Anonymous
map-marker Austin, Texas

Biggest Waste of Time, be ready to give up hours of your life with customer support

This Bank is a nightmare. I have all my student loans with them, biggest mistake of my life. I have no problems paying my loans and my minimum payments but they make it so hard to pay. First of all once you sign up, you are going to be spammed, 2 emails a day at least, saying nothing but "Sallie Mae has something important and urgent to tell you please visit the website but due to security reasons we won't tell you anything in this email." Then you go to the website and nothing happens no notifications or anything telling you were to go or why they emailed you with this urgent document you needed to see. So once you get frustrated enough with the spam every day and going to the slow nightmare of a website, you will probably do what I did just reroute those emails to spam. Which worked for the day to day, however, automatic debit does not work on the website for some reason I do not even know why they offer it. I have signed up for automatic debit from my account the first time a logged on the website then resigned up for auto debit every month after that because it never worked, finally on the 4th time I called into customer support to have them walk me through it, and once we were done doing exactly what I had done before to set up automatic debit they promised "yes all your loans are automatic debit" so I hung up and thought the nightmare was over, well its been 3 months and every month at least one of the auto debit loans does not debit my account so I get more spam from them and a phone call of a recording saying please salle mae at "1-800-TalkToARobotForAnHourEvenThoughWeCalledYou" I call then finally get to a customer service representative and ask why did you call, and they say I don't know sir what do you want? As if it is weird, and completely foreign to them that they are sending out automated calls telling people to call them for urgent account information. Anyways to add salt into the wound, to make a minimum payment it goes through immediately however if you want to pay extra or before the due date, it take 7-14 days for it to show up on the website, and they don't remove the funds from your account until like 12 days later. So Be ready if you pay extra on loans to jump through some hoops
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Loss:
$3000
Anonymous

COLLECTION PRACTICES

I COSIGNED FOR MY DAUGHTER TO GET A STUDENT LOAN FROM SALLIE MAE A NIGHTMARE FROM ***, LONG STORY SHORT SHE LOST HER JOB AND HOME, SO I CONTACTED SALLIE MAE TO MAKE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS IN WHICH WE SET UP PAYMENTS STARTING IN JAN,2010. I PUT MONEY IN THE BANK EVERY MONTH FOR THIS ACCT AND THEY DRAFTED FROM JAN 2010 UNTIL JUNE 2010 AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME WHICH I WAS UN AWARE OF I HAD TO RESCHEDULE PAYMENTS AFTER THAT DATE. NOW THEY HAVE A COLLECTION AGENCY CALLING ME AND THREATING ME THAT THEY WE'RE GOING TO SUE ME FOR FULL AMOUNT AND THAT THE MONEY THAT I ALREADY HAVE PAID IS NOT SHOWING UP. ITS KINDA OF FUNNY THEY ARE TRYING TO GET PAID TWICE SINCE THE GOVT ALREADY PAID THEM FOR STUDENT LOANS THAT WENT INTO DEFAULT.
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Dang Bkp

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

SALLIE MAE IS THE WORST TO DEAL WITH

On July 15th i called Sallie Mae to request a payment scheduled for the 24th be changed to the 2nd of August. i was on the phone with the representative over 45minutes and was given the confirmation number for the canceled payment as well as for the new payment. On the 24th Sallie mae withdrew the money from my account causing 6 checks to go into overdraft at $35.00/ea. ($210.00). I immediately called and was given to a supervisor who called my bank with me (because they didt' see the paymetn anywhere in their system)...after speaking an confirming with the bank i sent the appropriate proof of the payments to them via email and was assured the monies would be back in my account 24 -72 hours later. Today, $210.00 was refunded (the overdraft amount), not the payment or the additional overdraft fee that came in yesterday. I have been given the runaround since 8am this morning, with "managers" saying they were taking care of it and would call me back in 1/2 hour. Well it is now 6 1/2 hours and numerous phone calls later and i have yet to speak to anyone who can tell me anything. When a payment is late i get phone calls non stop and many many threatening letters. This is th worst company to deal with, i agree, we need to get a class action suit together to stop these people. This is not the first or second time this has happened; anytime you call to make a change you can rest assured you have to make at least 3 or 4 follow up calls to be certain it was done correctly. Biggest mistake i have ever made dealing with them.
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2 comments
Guest

Making your payments on time will take care of your problem!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-693133

i bet you work for Sallie Mae...and sometimes there are instances out of peoples control that can cause that individual to not be able to make the payment on that exact day, Sallie Mae should *** their mask and truly be there to help even after they put people in debt for the rest of there lives...

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