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SolveStudentDebt
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Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
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Topic: Accounts Recovery Corporation Posted: 09/December/2009 at 2:48am |
There are many people calling and writing to The CFW Group about two specific collection agencies. They do seem to be a very agressive collection agency and sue a lot of people. I have talked with a key representatives at these companies as an effort to allow them to hear the voices of many of you but they do appear to be rather closed-minded, and unwilling to allow the voices of those who in trouble with them.
Those of you who are dealing with a collection agency regarding a Scotiabank or CIBC student loan account, be cautious in your approach. From the experiences of many, they are quick to litigate. Pay attention to who contacts you. Gather names and contact information, and most importantly, take notes of what any collector is telling you. Recording telephone calls with them is very advantagous because consumer protection is paramount, especially now that collection agencies are behaving so aggressively. Idf you do not have a method of recording the calls, you can contact The CFW Group and we can assist you in that for the purpose of consumer protection.
If any of you are experiencing extreme difficulty or abuse, it is important to address it.
Johnny
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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Rachel Paige
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Joined: 05/January/2005
Location: Toronto
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Posted: 09/December/2009 at 4:26am |
This is slightly off topic but are folks aware of ARC losing the HRDC (Canada Revenue Agency) account? I recently sent ARC my monthly post-dated cheques for the following year, as I do every December - and they returned them saying:
"Please be advised your Direct Financing Student Loan (Federal) File is no longer listed with our Agency and we are returning to you the following payments received in our office."
Does anyone know the back story on this?
Also slightly off topic - I settled a $20K provincial student loan (owing to the Ontario Ministry of Government Services) with Nordon Collections today. I sold my house and got a bank loan to do it, but wow does it ever feel good to be rid of! The collection agents at Nordon have been very courteous and professional with me. But then again, they are collecting on behalf of a provincial ministry that regulates the collections industry, so that may be part of it. Originally I offered them 82% of the balance but MGS refused it. In the end I had to pay the principal in full.
Rachel
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SolveStudentDebt
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Joined: 05/November/2003
Location: Canada
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Posted: 09/December/2009 at 7:06am |
All private collection agencies lost the federal loan accounts. YOu have to call CRA Non-Tax Directorate in Ottawa and find out which office has carriage of your CSL. It would be Belleville or Vancouver.
Johnny
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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Juan
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Joined: 09/December/2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
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Posted: 09/December/2009 at 11:47am |
Rachel: I actually just received a call from Nordon myself. It was regarding an RBC Student Loan and they made me a similar offer that would allow me to settle the debt. The woman I dealt with was extremely helpful and polite - but the term "don't trust a wolf in sheep's clothing" comes to mind.
I know it sounds cynical, but I'm at the point now where I don't know who to trust.
Which brings me to why I'm posting here.
Johnny, I need your help. While the woman at Nordon was very polite, she did say that if I chose not to pay them the amount they want, then RBC is going to sue.
She also mentioned that RBC does not want to deal with you or CFW. This leaves me at a loss since I thought you had already dealt with them.
Again, I'm not sure who to trust. Nordon is offering me a good deal, but I can't afford to pay what they're asking. Johhny says that he has already talked to RBC on my behalf, but they claim they don't want to deal with him.
Meanwhile, I haven't heard from Johhny in over 3 months. I know he's busy but this kind of unresponsiveness is alarming.
I'm not sure where to turn or what to believe. Is there anyone else out there who is in a similar situation? Any advice or guidance would be VERY much appreciated.
PS - Did I mention I'm unemployed and struggling to pay my bills?
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SolveStudentDebt
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Location: Canada
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Posted: 10/December/2009 at 1:13am |
Hey Juan,
No collector or agency wants to deal with someone who has the ability to take the control away from them and give it back to you. If you qare looking for me, all you have to do is call. If you are a current client, simply write. I received an email yesterday but unsure ifd that is you. Same name though. Anyway, I will help you deal with this.
Yes, I am busy on the other stuff. However, if someone is calling you you have to tell me. See?
Call me at 866-239-7889. Or write to me at my private email address.
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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Juan
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Joined: 09/December/2009
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
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Posted: 10/December/2009 at 6:23am |
Yup, that was me that emailed you. Thank you for your quick response.
I appreciate your explanation. I think I panicked a little when I received that call. Rookie mistake on my part probably - to believe everything a collection agency is saying.
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Rachel Paige
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Location: Toronto
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Posted: 10/December/2009 at 6:39am |
Thanks John. Does this mean CRA is now collecting these student loan debts on their own - without the use of private collectors? That makes sense since they have so much power and authority (e.g. to take our tax refunds) at their disposal. Is this recent? Is there more information about this on the web that anyone is aware of? I wonder if it doesn't speak to larger issues about the inappropriateness and ineffectiveness of government use of private collection agencies to collect student loan debt in the first place.
As for Nordon ... now I have to ensure that they report the settlement to all 3 credit reporting agencies. My credit rating now is 622 and Nordon is the only public collection on there so it should increase significantly. Then this student loan debt will be put to bed once and for all.
John is much in demand and sometimes difficult to get a hold of ... but persist. Those efforts will be re-paid in terms of well-being and peace of mind down the line.
Rach
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SolveStudentDebt
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Location: Canada
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Posted: 10/December/2009 at 10:33am |
Hey Juan, no sweat. Look, the agencies are rotated so often nowadays. The banks often fail to properly advise the groups they hire! That certainly illustrates a colorful picture.
Hey Rach Paige, yes that is what it means. They finally got the picture that it was time to haul the accounts back and handle them on their own. From what I have been so told, the reason was done for both economic and reputation reasons. The government of Canada must have grown tired of paying out millions and ,millions of dollars in commission money, and of course all the way borrowers were being treated.
Nordon is now credit counseling. Fascinating. Nordon ... credit counselling in Canada ... they are both collection agencies anyway. Creditors pay them both commission to collect.
Johnny
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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ChrisKnight
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Joined: 03/February/2010
Location: Ontario
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Posted: 03/February/2010 at 6:59am |
I have been through this with ARC (and it's previous incarnations/ownerships) for almost 10 years now. I've usually been pretty good about making monthly good-faith payments, however recently a Mark Cromwell has been harassing my supervisor as well as my Pay & Benefits advisor. He demanded full payment within the hour or I'd suffer consequences. That's fine, I've been 'suffering' their 'consequences' for years now...but they have contact info from home, and I have spoken and written to them explicitly instructing them not to call me at work, yet they continue.
I found the numbers on the site regarding how to file a complaint, yet the numbers are outdated. Is there anyone I can contact in Ontario - or is there anything I can give my boss/employer to say to these guys?
Thanks,
Chris
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Rachel Paige
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Posted: 05/February/2010 at 4:46am |
Hi - There should be some information about what to do on the Ministry of Consumer Services website:
It may also help to help to contact your MPP and ask them what/how you can do. Politicians can often cut through the red tape and get officials to respond more promptly and take your case more seriously.
On a related note, having settled my $20K OSL held by Nor-don just before Christmas, wanted to let folks know that it was marked settled on my credit reports just a week or so later. (This was the sole derogatory item on my credit bureau.) That is the good news. The bad news is that I applied for a Master Card last week and they said they want to see 2 years of good credit behaviour out of me before they would consider giving me a Mastercard. Can't really blame them I suppose.
Chris that is just horrible what you are going through with ARC calling your superiors at work. Completely unacceptable behaviour on their part. Sorry to hear you are having to wear that at work.
Rachel
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administrator
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Joined: 25/January/2003
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Posted: 05/February/2010 at 6:31am |
Thanks for the info. I've updated the Collection Agency Complaints page with the new info...
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Administrator Mark OMeara Author of Let Go and Heal: Recovery from Emotional Pain https://LaughSingWrite.com - http://bit.ly/heal2024
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HappyCamper
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Posted: 19/February/2010 at 3:50pm |
ARC Currently has my Ontario portion of my student loan. Can they sue me for it? I think it's only $2000
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tdawg
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Posted: 21/February/2010 at 3:14pm |
Can and will are two very separate things. There is a 90% certainty they will tell you that they are going to sue you. And they do sue some people, but whether or not they will sue you isn't something anyone (even ARC) would give you a correct answer on unless you're actually served.
$2k sounds a little low to sue on, but they could.
Do you have an asset they could attach or a job you're unlikely to leave soon?? You live in Ontario? It really depends on where you live what your circumstances are.
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HappyCamper
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Posted: 23/February/2010 at 4:04am |
I live in Alberta now. I have a job, not leaving it any time soon (I hope!). I have no assets.
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Coco
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Posted: 23/February/2010 at 5:32am |
Ok, i am a bit confused. I have my federal loan with ARC and have been paying it every month, and usually a week or so before the end of the month ARC contacts my old roommate (even though they have been told i no longer live there) and leaves that faithful reminder to pay my loan. So my question is if ARC is no longer receiving the HRDC (Canada Revenue Agency) account is my money still going towards my loan? Should I contact HRDC to make sure ? I have not received any letter from ARC in 2 years regarding anything to do with my loan , including how much I owe (it was at about $5000) . Or is my loan still with ARC? If anyone would be able to help that would be wonderful
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Rachel Paige
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Posted: 23/February/2010 at 8:20am |
Coco,
I was paying ARC up until this past December and all the payments were directed to HRSDC/Canada Revenue Agency so you are probably fine in that regard.
Call HRCDC/CRC to negotiate a new payment arrangement. Compared to dealing with ARC (as I did for years) this will be a walk in the park. The woman I dealt with was downright delightful.
Call 1-866-864-5823 ... even though that number used to connect to ARC, it now goes to Canada Revenue Agency.
Let us know how it goes.
Rach
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tdawg
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Posted: 23/February/2010 at 5:12pm |
HappyCamper wrote:
I live in Alberta now. I have a job, not leaving it any time soon (I hope!). I have no assets. |
Meh, just try and keep your employment info out of their database. If you can make payments all the better, but it's kind of a waste of their time to go to court if you're willing to repay a small loan through payments.
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Tawni
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Posted: 04/June/2014 at 10:00am |
I have been contacted by these people at work all the time. The last time I spoke with the woman I asked her if she could re send me the financial worksheet she wanted me to fill out again. She initially sent me one at Christmas that I acknowledged I had not done. She told me when I asked her to resend it that she couldn't send it to me a second time. I told her that I had not done it because with Christmas coming at the time I couldn't give it a proper look and when I did look a the form I wasn't comfortable filling out banking information. She then agreed to send me a new form. I told her that in order to fill it out realistically I would need a month to get the correct numbers. She has not sent me anything! Now I had a number on my work call display and no voice message. She has threatened me with action before and asked if there was anyone I could borrow the money from. When I said no she referred me to a website that I could get a loan from. It turned out to be like a payday loan company with larger amounts (no way I could afford payments more than the loan!) Anyway I am not sure what is happening and how I could prove she didn't re send the form to me.
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SolveStudentDebt
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Posted: 07/June/2014 at 5:25am |
How old is your loan?
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Solve Student Debt specializes in solutions for students and graduates in student loan default, and those at risk of defaulting. solvestudentdebt.com
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