I dealt with Windham for years. i got behind on the last 10% owed on my student loans (went back to school in my 30s) of about $3000 and Windham called me. I made automatic payments for the $3600 they wanted. After the last payment, the money continued to come out of my account. They then said I owed $2500 - only $500 of the $3600 was credited to the principal (and getting that information took 6 months for me to get). USDE would do nothing. Not knowing any better, I paid for another 10 months of $250 each month and paid my "debt" to them off yet again. The next month, they took out two full payments. I ended up having to have my checking account closed. I wrote and called everyone I could think of.

Things quieted down for about a year then I got a statement from them saying I owed them $13,000. I was astounded. I am through paying them. I borrowed $23,000 originally and was to pay USDE almost $27,000 - a fair loan I think. I paid $24,000 to USDE, the remaining $3,000 to Windham, $600 in fees to Windham and another $3,000 to Windham for what I dont know. The agency was horrible to me and did things that were not needed. I make good money and I am fortunate in alot of ways but my credit is ruined forever. To then come back wanting another $13,000? I will live with the bad mark on my credit report - I told them I will go to my grave before I pay them another dime and I mean it. I have not heard anything else from them for about 4 years now.

Sadly, this month, they called my daughter and told her they owned a student loan of hers that neither she nor I knew about (we consolidated all her loans upon graduation and have been making payments). They have threatened her and called her work and will not stop. Her boss is angry with her and they are threatening to garnish her pay. USDE will not confirm there is another loan and no one will send us paperwork.

How many people have to be done like this before USDE stops using them? If anyone knows of an attorney anywhere in the US who is taking Windham on, would you please relay the information to me at haznation@yahoo.com? I am interested to find legal help to, not get away with not paying any money owed, but to get open accounting (loan date, amount, interest rate, fees, principal, and balances), documentation of agreements and promises made, a schedule payment that has a definite end date, and respectful business communications between us and the agency.

I dont think anyone wants to get out of paying their debt.....some are angry that the agency is rude...some are angry that they feel like they are being stolen from...some are angry for both reasons. Giving people documentation of a bill and speaking to them without the intimidation and insults is all that is asked.

I respectfully appreciate everyone's pain but I prefer to not hear from others and their stories.... I know how bad they are. I want to stop this company from its poor business practices for my daughter so please contact me if you can actually do something about Windham. Thank you.

11. November 2009, 08:17

They keep calling me at work.

william

21. December 2009, 04:36

I have only been dealing with his so called collection agency for a couple of months...but it's been a nightmare. The first time they called me at work the lady was semi nice. I told them I have no clue who you are and to please send me some information on the debt and I would get back with them (This was a Friday). On Monday I got a call from at work and it was the same company different person. I explained everything to him, he said they dont do that and that is why so and so is no longer in that department. I said well I would feel better about paying a company that I know more about so I want something in writing stating that I owe this money and how much my payments will be a month. Not even 5 minutes later I get a call from Cheryl a supervisor and she says oh, well I'm glad you answered the phone because I was calling to verify employment for wage garnishment. My boss was standing right by me and I could not have that kind of conversation at work. I asked politely if I could call her back. I called back after taking a break from work and was livid that they were already talking wage garnishment when I requested information from the debt collector and the company collecting the debt. They are quick to jump on the garnishment train. One lady told me "Ma'am if you would have taken care of your business we wouldnt be having this conversation". Oh, and since I worked for a law firm I should know that the government doesnt have to take you to court to garnish your wages. Rude disrespectful people work there that have no class. Oh, and to all the people that want to comment that actually work for Windham...don't be hating on the people that actually went to school to better themselves so they didnt have to be stuck working for a collection agency making minimum wage.
(Sorry for all the typos and grammar..I'm a little pissed off at the moment).

DJC

6. January 2010, 01:51

i agree with you they are very unprofessional and rude I had a simular experience.

roxanne

19. January 2010, 08:54

Unfortunately I know exactly what these other clients are speaking of regarding Windham Professionals harrassing. They were harrassing me over a student loan that had been in default. They explained to me that they had reviewed my student debts and that I was eligible for a hardship program that would send me back to forbearance.

I was like cool.....three days later I get a call from a different agent in the company (who was probably pissed to find that I could be enrolled in the program; sabatoging her glorious commission money she felt she could make off of me.) She explained to me that they had just found out that I wasnt eligible for the hardship program after all and that I needed to take care of these student loans.....blah blah.....they are going to garnish your wages.

I told here thats just what will have to happen because I dont have money to give to stop the garnishment from coming!!! She went back and forth with me on the phone at 8PM!!!! I was in bed and this woman was screaming over my voice on the phone!!!!

Then, the same woman, called me three more days later.......and told me that I actually am able to enroll in thehardship program!!! Those people are outrageous!!! And the thing is they never realize that the best way to assist and encourage someone is to be understanding! I work in marketing but I have never treated any clients that way!!!!

Jessica Hickman

19. January 2010, 21:37

Really appreciate this post. It?s hard to sort the good from the bad sometimes, but I think you?ve nailed it!

Life insurance

19. January 2010, 23:35

It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks

Full Tilt Poker

30. January 2010, 14:27

This is the first time I have ever heard of this company Windham Professionals. Searching them on the internet has resulted in me finding numerous complaints about their tactics.

Now here's the really strange thing in my case. I have never had a student loan in my life. I am a Canadian living in Canada. windham has phoned me three times now demanding payment of $25,000 for my "student loan". Obviously they have me confused with someone else, but the calls continue. it seems they even feel they have the power and right to harass people in other countries - even if the people they are harassing are NOT the one they are looking for.

I am about to take this to the next level since i do have an attorney in New York who represents me in business matters.

Annoyed in Canada

1. February 2010, 20:14

I have been dealing with Windham for several months. They are rude, do not properly note the account, they are accusatory. My student loan went into default and the guarantor never contacted me. Claimed that they did but all the mail was returned. The address they gave was my previous address. They claimed I never gave them my new address, which is incorrect, because i had correspondence from them with my new address and when I called all parties involved they all had my new address. I went round and round trying to make payment arrangements that would not put me into further debt like not pay my utilities or not eat. they want 3 payments of over $300. Hard to make when all I have left after my 1st check in the month is about $200 and the next check all goes to rent and transportation pass. Then they said 4 payments of $250. I asked for 6 they agreed to 5 payments of $186. I have had to take several payroll advances in order to feed my family. The first payment did not go through and I called they said my bank said I have no money. My bank provided documentation they entered the wrong account # and security code. They called my a liar. Now the fourth payment was scheduled for January 25th. I am still waiting for my payment to come through my bank account. When I called, they claimed there was no money in my account. Which was alie. My bank would pay even if I had insufficient funds and then charge me the NSF charge of $40. They are the biggest liars and blamers I have ever had to deal with. I am in the process of filing claim with the better business bureau in their state.

Livid in San Francisco

7. February 2010, 07:11

all i can say about windham professionals is that they are nasty rude and greedy and they rob from poor struggling people like myself.oh i left out predatory,i tried to work out a deal with them but they found it was not what they wanted,the so called supervisor that i spoke to was very rude and nasty,and said to me its because of people like me that her kids cant get a student loan,i doubt that i picture these people working there drive bmws and mercades and wear rolexes and sip on their starbucks coffee,while working class people like you and me struggle with the bad economy and recession.im really mad and very livid since they garnish my small paycheck and took my tax return from last year.i know i owe money but this debt goes back to 1985 when it went into default,i wish there was an agency that helps us victims of these predators.i wish windham professionals would go out of business and the people who work there have to live like the victims they have fleeced.if anyone knows how to fight this battle against this collection agency please post it and help us victims.the recession affects us but not windham professionals,and aig.

livid in orlando

10. February 2010, 13:35

PEOPLE PLEASE...THET HAVE THE RIGHT TO GARNISH IF THAT IS AN ACTION THE CLIENT WILL ALLOW THEM TO TAKE AND PRIVATE LOANS ARE LITIGATED WITCH CAN LEAD TO WAGE GARNISHMENT, FREEZING OF ASSESTS, ECT. THEY DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT. YOU GUYS NEED TO BE EDUCATED IN COLLECTIONS. COLLECTERS CAN BE RUDE AND NASTY BUT REALIZE THAT WE ARE ALL PEOPLE IF YOU HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE RIGHT OUT THE GET THEN THEY WILL TO. NOONE IS TRYING TO SCAM ANYONE. WINDHAM PROS IS LEGIT AND IF YOU DIDNT DEFAULT ON YOUR STUDENT LOANS YOU WOULDNT BE IN THE PLACE YOU ARE IN.

UNKNOWN

18. February 2010, 10:41

I just started dealing with these morons today and they are SO rude. I offered to make payments because I lost 2 jobs in one month and they said "NOPE, pay it in full". Oh well, they can garnish my wages that don't exist. hahaha!! THey suck!!!!!!!!!!

Robyn

19. February 2010, 12:28

WINDHAM PROFESSIONAL SO THEY SAY! I DONT AGREE PROFESSIONALS DONT CALL YOUR HOUSE FROM THE TIME THEY OPEN UNTILL THE TIME THEY CLOSE , I MEAN COME ON THIS IS PASS HARASSMENT IT'S ON ANOTHER LEVEL ESPECAILY WHEN YOU ONLY OWE LESS THAN $1800 I OFFERED TO MAKE PAYMENT AS MUCH AS I COULD GIVE THEM BUT THEY WANTED TO BE GREEDY THEY WANTED TO START THE FIRST PAYMENT OFF WITH AN OFFER THAT I JUST COULDNT REFUSE $1400 IN FULL AND THEY WANTED THE SAME DAY AND TO MAKE MATTERS BETTER THEY WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE PAYMENT BY 5P.M ,SO I OF COURSE I DECLINED THAT OFFER THEN MY SECOND OPPTION WAS TO GIVE THEM $700 THE FOLLWING DAY AND ANOTHER $700 IN TWO MORE DAYS LIKE YOU TRY NOT TO BE RUDE AND TALK THINGS OUT LIKE ADULTS BUT HOW WHEN YOU HAVE RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS WHO BELITTLE AND DEGRADE YOU FOR LESS THAN $2000 DO THEY REALLY HOLD INTERVIEWS TO HIRE THESE PEOPLE! WELL I ADVISE THEM TO REHIRE BECAUSE LAWSUITS ARE WAITING AND COMING FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'VE HAD IT

FEDUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

25. February 2010, 05:29

Pam

5. March 2010, 19:25

My daughter has a student loan from SalleMae that Windham Professionals bought. She was hit by a car and is in a coma for over a year. I am a cosigner so they have me. They started with threats and harrassments. I am scared to give any money to such a company for fear it will not close the account. Is there any legal help out there for dealing with a company. They are in direct violation of NY State code 608 on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I have rescearched that but my concern is that there seems to be no recourse in dealing with them. Has anyone had any sucess?

Tina

Windham Professionals Inc.

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