Drowningindebt v Student Loans

Drowningindebt · 19th February 2007, 13:52

Hi all,

Since I took my student loan out in about 1997 I have never received anywhere near the wages threshold to pay this back. I have been in a bit of debt over the last few years and I never reliased I never posted back the default letter. They then told me I was due £500+ in arrears and passed it onto a debt recovery agency. I managed to scrape enough together and paid this agency. Student loans never received it and it was passed onto another agency. I supplied them with a bank statement and I think they have now debited it to my account and its now back in their hands. Do you think I should send off a S.A.R to see what the fee's charged for this? Do you also think I should send of a CCA and ask for a copy of the written agreement?

PS.Many thanks to Badger for supplying a handy templates thread.

Drowningindebt · 19th February 2007, 22:28

Does anyone think I should bother with this?

MrShed · 19th February 2007, 22:33

Out of interest DID, what standard letter? I have never had to send a letter back to my student loan people...

Drowningindebt · 19th February 2007, 22:39

They send out a letter every year giving a date I need to start paying this back unless I send back the default letter to say I am earning under the wages threshold. If I send this back in time then I dont need to pay anything that year, but as stated above I sent this back months late and I incurred £500+ in arrears. I am seriously thinking of taking action, but I was hoping for some advice.

Drowningindebt · 20th February 2007, 14:16

I phoned them up today to ask for the six years worth of statements. The woman said," I wouldn't bother as it will cost you a tenner and our charges are not like the bank charges ones everyone is claiming back as we have checked them with trading standards!"- Is still got her to send me them out.

Do you think she is speaking any truth and I'm wasting my time?

noomill060 · 20th February 2007, 15:48

No, your not wasting your time.

*Sweaty, pale face squaw speak with fork tongue*

Ive seen another Student Loan thread where they made an offer to settle all the guys charges. Hang on, I'll find it.

Drowningindebt · 20th February 2007, 15:50

lol, many thanks noomill060.

noomill060 · 20th February 2007, 15:54

Here ya go!

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk...tml#post573814

The SLC sells the best pork pies in Glasgow.

(Allegedly)

Drowningindebt · 20th February 2007, 16:11

haha- thanks for your help and I will have a good read through.

Drowningindebt · 9th March 2007, 13:37

I got a print off of all the payments and payments made to my account.Here is the charges I have received:

29/9/00-£12
23/11/00-£12
18/1/01-£12
6/4/01-£12
26/11/03-£15
26/1/05-£20
31/8/06-£20

Does anyone think this is worth persuing as it doesnt seem much?

The good thing that has come out of this has been that they said after I had paid the arrears of £564 that my balance was £1800 and I argued it couldnt have been, but they insisted this was the balance after they had taken off this arrears payment. The balance is now £1240 after I have received these letters!!!

Also I am due to send in my defermant letter, but they havent sent me it.I phoned them about three weeks ago and about a week ago and they still havent sent me one. I then e-mailed their complaints dept on Wed of this week, I have still received nothing. Anybody got any advice about what I should do as they will be looking for a payment soon.

Do you think I should send a CCA away to them?

Drowningindebt · 11th March 2007, 14:04

I sent them off a CCA on Friday.

livity · 27th March 2007, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drowningindebt

I phoned them up today to ask for the six years worth of statements. The woman said," I wouldn't bother as it will cost you a tenner and our charges are not like the bank charges ones everyone is claiming back as we have checked them with trading standards!"- Is still got her to send me them out.

Do you think she is speaking any truth and I'm wasting my time?

The SLC repaid yet another unlawful penalty charge to me last year, and I followed it up with a complaint (as I do after each attempt by the SLC to unlawfully obtain my money). During the course of the complaint I was told that the SLC's charges had been approved by:

The OFT
The Department of [sic] Education and Skills

Funnily enough, I'd previously raised this very issue with the OFT. They made no mention of "approving" the SLC's charges, and thanked me for providing information on the state of the industry. I've not yet checked with the Department for Education and Skills, but I'll be asking my MP to very soon (post-budget, I plan to ask my MP to ensure that my loan is one of the loans transferred away from the SLC).

The SLC - how can I put this? - sometimes, accidentally, say things which aren't remotely based on anything approaching reality.

noomill060 · 27th March 2007, 20:14

Ive also had the "the government says we can charge these fees for letters" as well.

Got a little note at the bottom of my deferment letter saying I have to pay my arrears within 7 days or the matter will be passed to debt collectors and possible legal action.

I file my small claim against SLC at court tomorrow.

We'll soon see who's in the right wont we?

Drowningindebt · 27th March 2007, 21:15

I have about £120 of charges on my account, but I am not sure if I will try and claim them back as it looks more daunting than claiming bank charges back. I will see how you do and take it from there so please keep me up to date.

livity · 28th March 2007, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drowningindebt

I have about £120 of charges on my account, but I am not sure if I will try and claim them back as it looks more daunting than claiming bank charges back. I will see how you do and take it from there so please keep me up to date.

It's actually pretty straightforward - send then an S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) (requesting details of all unlawful charges levied against you), wait for the deadline, send an LBA threatening court action, wait for the deadline and cash the cheque. In my experience the SLC will repay its debts to avoid court action - I've not once had to go to court, though I'm looking forward to the opportunity. The difficult bit is dealing with the SLC's complaints department - now they are skilled in frustrating customers!

noomill060 · 28th March 2007, 21:07

Hi livity,

Just read your opening post on your thread. I've been through all the nonsense prelim letters and LBA which they have assidously ignored or side stepped in a laughably inept snivel service manner, naturally I sent every letter by Recorded.

Small claim against the Student Loans Company for six years worth of unlawful charges will be filed tomorrow.

Perhaps I will eventually be able to instruct the Sheriff and his posse of bailiffs to sieze assets to the value of my claim!

noomill060 · 28th March 2007, 21:10

Was going to file today but other stuff happened!

livity · 30th March 2007, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by noomill060

Hi livity,

Just read your opening post on your thread. I've been through all the nonsense prelim letters and LBA which they have assidously ignored or side stepped in a laughably inept snivel service manner, naturally I sent every letter by Recorded.

Small claim against the Student Loans Company for six years worth of unlawful charges will be filed tomorrow.

Perhaps I will eventually be able to instruct the Sheriff and his posse of bailiffs to sieze assets to the value of my claim!

Very best of luck!

I've been through this every time I've been charged so I've never been claiming more than £40 or so, and that may make a difference, but... the SLC have always settled before going to court - sometimes at the very last minute (papers ready to be filed, time off work arranged, etc). Shame really - like you I dream of entering 100 Bothwell Street with a team of bailiffs!

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