I just stumbled accross this forum, and I had to join and write down my experience too. I sent off my deferment form for 2004, and never heard a word as per usual. I forgot all about subsequent deferments as I never earned anywhere near the limit, and I never heard another word from them. The loans were registered at my mothers address, where she still lives, and she can confirm that we received no communication at all. One day out of the blue in late 2007 I received a call (On the mobile number I have had all along which the Student Loans company had!) - "Hallo Mr X I need you to pay your arrears of £3700 today". It turns out that my deferment form was 'lost' and that in the absence of any communication from me, which they could have had by simply lifting the telephone, or dropping me a line, they decided to secretly charge me £100 per month in arrears. They only got in touch after 37 MONTHS - when the arrers were almost the total amount of the loan. Since then I've had all the harrassment that others have detailed here, ie. threats, lies, debt collectors, threats of court action, repettative phone calls etc. All along I've stuck to my guns, and said that this is illegal, and there is no way I'm paying anything. I used to get regularly hassled by either HSS or Penine but they go quiet for while, and try again sporadically. I have even had letters charging me for 'finding me' at the address I was still living at! They claim to have sent me documents throughout the 37 months, but they can't produce any evidence for this when I ask. I get the same ill informed operators ringing me and asking the same things ie. 'Pay up!', and all I do is refer them to the notes on my case which they obviously haven't read - then tie them up in logic, or ask for the proof, or perhaps talk ethics with the operator for a bit. You would think after 5 years of arguments I might have been contacted by a manager or senior handler of some sort, but I have not. I believe its always just been low level junior call centre/debt collecter operatives . For a period of several months last year I think, my interest on the loans went in to negative interest, and was actually reducing the loan amount I thought this was great, and it can clearly be seen on the statements, but alas it suddenly changed without warning, and of course I didn't receive any reason for this - Anyone else had this? Basically I'd just like to add my eperiences to this thread, and say stick to your guns - don't be intimidated, and if you are in the right, and you know it, they will not be able to push you. If you earn below the limits don't be tricked in to paying.