[DeeJay]

I'm just writing here to see what people more knowledgeable than I might know about what I can do about this.

Background info: Student loan through Campus Door (Aurora Bank). They filed with the government and got the full amount from them. I work for my parents part time as the job market around here is dead.

About a month ago, a woman from the "Law offices of John C. Bonewicz" called me at work. I had her on speaker. They offered to settle my school loan amount for $13,500 at the best. I said, "I'd love to, however, I make minimum wage, have literally no money and as I've said before I can not afford it."

"Well in that case the attorney will have to proceed in sending this matter to your local magistrate and a court case will likely be the result."

I stated "Ok, I offered what I could.". We hung up.

Fast Forward today. Mr. Louder called.

The loan amount is now $26,000+ (Wouldn't give me an exact amount, just "balance is over $26,000"). I proceeded to explain to him my situation and told him the most I could afford is $5 a month. He stated the lowest he's willing to negotiate is $50/month because $5.00 wouldn't cover the monthly interest imposed.

Meanwhile I told him numerous times I couldn't afford that, he kept trying to switch my words around to state that I was willing to "Pay your other financial obligations, just not this on."

I stated: "No, I'm merely saying I can't afford the amount your asking for. I offered the $5 I can barely afford. I'm stating I am willing, but I can't on your terms."

I had him on speaker phone and my mom was listening. He tried twisting my words again and my mom got on the phone and stated "No, for the 3rd time he is NOT saying he's unwilling to pay. He's stated that he can only afford "X" amount and that he is more than willing to do what HE CAN."

So He kept trying to argue to get one of us to say that we were indeed unwilling to pay on the loan. My mom finally said after his 7th or 8th attempt at twisting our words into stating we were unwilling to pay, she said "You know what, we've both been willing to talk to you, explain to you and you obviously have no intent on listening. We have both told you numerous times that he is indeed WILLING to pay what he can afford. He has never and will never say he's not willing to take responsibility or ignore his obligation to the loan. IF you're going to continue to try and twist our words, I am going to ask you to NEVER call my business again and hang up." Needless to say, he turned around and stated that if I don't pay the set amount that he's willing to negotiate, I am in turn telling him that we are not willing to take obligation of my loan..

At which point my mom said: "Thats it, I warned you, I'm telling you NOT to call this number ever again, and I am hanging up now."


My question is, do I have any recourse here? If and when they call again I plan on asking for a copy of the records they have on file for me and a valid letter explaining why and what my debt is for.

And with Aurora bank getting the money back from the Government, why am I obligated to pay, in full, the amount to this company?

Thank You,

DeeJay

[kpatt2006]

So what became of this situation? I'm in a similar conflict with Aurora Bank/Campus Door..

DeeJay, on 21 October 2010 - 03:53 PM, said:

I'm just writing here to see what people more knowledgeable than I might know about what I can do about this.

Background info: Student loan through Campus Door (Aurora Bank). They filed with the government and got the full amount from them. I work for my parents part time as the job market around here is dead.

About a month ago, a woman from the "Law offices of John C. Bonewicz" called me at work. I had her on speaker. They offered to settle my school loan amount for $13,500 at the best. I said, "I'd love to, however, I make minimum wage, have literally no money and as I've said before I can not afford it."

"Well in that case the attorney will have to proceed in sending this matter to your local magistrate and a court case will likely be the result."

I stated "Ok, I offered what I could.". We hung up.

Fast Forward today. Mr. Louder called.

The loan amount is now $26,000+ (Wouldn't give me an exact amount, just "balance is over $26,000"). I proceeded to explain to him my situation and told him the most I could afford is $5 a month. He stated the lowest he's willing to negotiate is $50/month because $5.00 wouldn't cover the monthly interest imposed.

Meanwhile I told him numerous times I couldn't afford that, he kept trying to switch my words around to state that I was willing to "Pay your other financial obligations, just not this on."

I stated: "No, I'm merely saying I can't afford the amount your asking for. I offered the $5 I can barely afford. I'm stating I am willing, but I can't on your terms."

I had him on speaker phone and my mom was listening. He tried twisting my words again and my mom got on the phone and stated "No, for the 3rd time he is NOT saying he's unwilling to pay. He's stated that he can only afford "X" amount and that he is more than willing to do what HE CAN."

So He kept trying to argue to get one of us to say that we were indeed unwilling to pay on the loan. My mom finally said after his 7th or 8th attempt at twisting our words into stating we were unwilling to pay, she said "You know what, we've both been willing to talk to you, explain to you and you obviously have no intent on listening. We have both told you numerous times that he is indeed WILLING to pay what he can afford. He has never and will never say he's not willing to take responsibility or ignore his obligation to the loan. IF you're going to continue to try and twist our words, I am going to ask you to NEVER call my business again and hang up." Needless to say, he turned around and stated that if I don't pay the set amount that he's willing to negotiate, I am in turn telling him that we are not willing to take obligation of my loan..

At which point my mom said: "Thats it, I warned you, I'm telling you NOT to call this number ever again, and I am hanging up now."


My question is, do I have any recourse here? If and when they call again I plan on asking for a copy of the records they have on file for me and a valid letter explaining why and what my debt is for.

And with Aurora bank getting the money back from the Government, why am I obligated to pay, in full, the amount to this company?

Thank You,

DeeJay

[pharaoe]

In regard to the question, why do I still owe the student loan, since the government paid it? It's still your bill. It was insured by the federal government to the original student loan lender, which does not forgive the loan.

That being said, I've been helping a relative with student loans, have been negotiating this past week with the Bonewicz firm. (The letterhead says "licensed in Illinois," but the Illnois State Bar has no one by that name.)

We came to an agreement yesterday. I agreed to pay the money when I get a letter stating the terms of agreement and that this would paid it in full, said I would have it in the morning (today).

It didn't arrive, so I called this morning, asked where the letter was. I was told it had been sent earlier in the morning, and so he wanted the money now. I told him sorry, no email has arrived, and without it in writing, he won't get any money. He said it must have been a mistake, he'll take care of it and he'll call back Monday for the money, and the agreement expires Monday.

Well, we're almost to the end of the day, and I have no email.

Just a word of caution! GET IT IN WRITING!!!