The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit last December against Student Loan Processing.US, a debt relief operation that allegedly stole millions of dollars from consumers promising to provide repayment benefits. Today, the CFPB has taken some drastic measures to put an end to this organization once and for all. It requested that a federal district court enter a final judgment and order it to shut down Student Loan Processing.US and refund customers millions of dollars.
According to the CFPB’s lawsuit, since 2011, Student Loan Processing.US (a fictitious business name of Irving Web Works, Inc.) along with its owner, allegedly marketed and advertised services to advise and assist borrowers applying for Dept. of Education federal student loan repayment programs.
The CFPB alleges that College Education Services and Student Loan Processing.US illegally tricked borrowers into paying upfront fees for these benefits. Many times the company told consumers that it was a “consultation service” for the Dept. of Education. The company even went so far as to use a logo that resembles a government seal, stamps “official business” on its mail to consumers and cites federal law prohibiting mail tampering to create the impression that its marketing material are sent or endorsed by the federal government.
The company would then charge consumers upfront enrollment fees of either 1% of their federal student loan balance or $250, whichever amount was higher. The CFPB reports that the company required borrowers to pay the entire fee before it would even mail an application to consumers.
The ruling also found in favor of the CFPB on its claims that College Education Services and Student Loan Processing.US violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule and the Dodd Frank Act’s prohibition against deceptive acts or practices by collecting payment information from customers before disclosing the total cost of the company’s services.
According to the final judgment, Student Loan Processing.US will be ordered to pay more than $8.2 million in relief and damages to customers.
For individuals struggling with student loan debt, it’s important to remember that the Department of Education provides numerous plans to borrowers with federal student loans to make payments more affordable FREE of charge.
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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.
