If you are currently in default on your student loans, you may begin receiving continuous calls from collectors to pay up. A budget agreement, which is awaiting President Obama’s signature, contains a provision that allows the government to collect federal debts using automated calling systems to mobile phones.
Not surprisingly, Navient (formerly Sallie Mae) and Nelnet, two companies that service federal loans, have been strongly advocating for this. They both argue that debtors who receive robocalls are more likely to repay their debts. Currently, loan servicers are allowed to robocall people only after they have consented to being auto-dialed and who have verified their cell phone numbers. (Only about a third of customers fall into both of those two categories.)
In an interestingly twist, the bill puts the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in charge of implementing the robocalls- an organization that has been fighting against automated calls to cell phones recently. Just last week, the FCC started publishing reports on consumer complaints about cell phone robocalls to give software developers tools to build apps that will block them.
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For borrowers who are struggling with student loan debt, relief options are available. Many student loan borrowers are unaware that they have rights and repayment options available to them, such as postponement of loan payments, reduction of payments or even a complete discharge of the debt. It is important you contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.