New Scam: How They're Getting Around The "Do Not Call" Lists |
![[- News -]](http://www.sugapablo.net/images/icons/news.png) Over the past month, it seemed we were getting a lot of phone calls here at the house that had no one on the other end when you picked the phone up. Frequently, often around dinner time, we'd pick up the phone and nothing, no one there.
Then last week, the wife and I were at her parents house for dinner when the sasme thing happened to them. The phone rang, but no one was there. They complained that the number of those calls was increasing lately for them as well.
They however has Caller ID. The number that called was an 800 or toll free number. While they didn't think much of it, that fact struck me as quite odd.
Then it hit me. It was a scam, a trick. Telemarketers, faced with "Do Not Call" lists found a clever (if not devious) way around laws that forbid them to call people's homes to make their solicitations.
It's quite simple, actually. A telemarketing computer calls as many people as it can, just going to one person after another down the phone book. The phone number it's calling from, the number displayed in Caller ID boxes and used for *69, is their toll free 800 number.
Their hope is that you will be curious about the call that you missed, and seeing that it's a toll free number to call back, you'll dial the number left in your Caller ID display to see what's up.
I was curious enough to see if I was correct and just *69ed the last call that I got where no one was on the other end. The number was 1-800-201-0577.
When I called that number, I got an automated menu from the Academic Funding Foundation. The menu items were designed educate me as to who the AFF was, and how to apply for their products, mainly loans it seemed.
I hit "0" to get the customer service lady and asked her what state they were operating out of. She said Delaware. After a quick Google search I assume this is the company:
Academic Funding Foundation
1521 Concord Pke, Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 654-6350
So you see, they've figured out a way to get around the legal restrictions of the "Do Not Call" lists. They call you, but obviously their call is not a solicitation, because they don't say anything. When you call them back, perhaps thinking you've missed an important call, they're free to pitch you all they want.
Evil bastards. |
| 2005-12-27 [- Post Comments -] |
| 2005-12-27 - Rob writes: |
Be careful. Some of these people are more evil than you think. Folks call up, claiming to be with some company (when they're not) to see if they can get credit card or other personal ID out of you.
Be careful out there!
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| 2005-12-29 - Sue writes: |
Some of these computer calls - where no one is on the other end - are ways that companies can find out what time you are home. Then they sell your number and best time to call to other companies!
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| 2006-01-04 - Albert writes: |
I just got a call from that number, but they spoke to me, most likely because some privacy policy from a recent student loan allowed telemarketing. The voice sounded slightly computerized, but they spoke my name and things like a normal person would, so I think they were using a voice changer. If that's the case, they're probably still afraid that their voice would be used as legal evidence against them. I googled their phone number and your blog was 1 of the 2 total search results. I didn't really want to call them back anyway. And I agree with you - they're bastards.
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| 2006-01-04 - Albert writes: |
One additional comment - They called after 9pm CST, which is even later in Delaware. Could that not be considered harrassment? Legal action should be taken against them.
>:-/
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| 2006-01-05 - sugapablo writes: |
I remember I once had a dispute with the Packard Bell company where the company was calling me at all hours of the night to pressure me to drop my complaint to the Utah State Attorney General.
The AG told me that there was no law against that. Basically saying that a business could easily get away with such tactics so long as they didn't flat out threaten me.
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| 2006-01-05 - Jordan writes: |
They just hit me up... it's 11:10am over here (Cali). I didn't pick up or call them back, so I can't test your theory. But I did immediately google the number and found you, one of two hits. Your theory is quite clever, I must say - it makes a lot of sense.
However, let me add something:
I worked in a call center before, and they had this auto-dialer that dials like ten numbers at once. The assumption is that only one out of ten would actually reach a person, and when that one person picks up the phone, our human operator switches to that line and talks. Sometimes, though, more than one person picks up the phone, but since there's only one operator per phone-bank, those extra people didn't get a voice when they picked up.
So these AFF people are either using an evil loophole, or an evil autodialer... or maybe both.
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| 2006-01-05 - sugapablo writes: |
maybe...
But when you call the 1-800 number back, the menu is quite conveniently set up to explain just who had called you and how they can help (sell) you.
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| 2006-01-18 23:11 - Arnold writes: |
In California there is actually a law against telemarketing calls that "disappear" when you answer. However, as I found out trying to track this one down, nobody in state goverment is set up to prosecute so the law is meaningless. The AG's office, the consumber protection agency, the state communications agency all pointed their finger at someone else including my phone carrier. Not much help.
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| 2006-01-20 00:34 - DYLAN writes: |
I CALLED THESE BASTARDS TONIGHT AND TRIED TO GET INFO OUT OF THEM. THEY CLAIMED TO BE ANON PROFIT COMPANY BASED OUT OF HOCKESSIN DE & TO HAVE A WEBSITE WWW.ACADEMICFUNDINGFOUNDATION.ORG WHICH DOES NOT EXIST. I CALLED BACK TO ASK ABOUT THE WEBSITE AND THEY KINDA WENT OFFLINE FOR 5 SECONDS TO GET A;SUPERVISOR' , CAME BACK & GIGGLED AND SAID IT WAS DOWN - IT DOES NOT EXIST.
THE WOMAN ON THE MESSAGE HAS A RUSSIAN ACCENT AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WERE INDIAN- I GOT IT OUT OF THEM THAT THEY WERE CALLING FROM INDIA.
I PURSUED THINGS FURTHER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE BUILDING THEY CLAIM AS THEIR ADDRESS IN DELAWARE ( 726,YORKLYN RD, HOCKESSIN, DE 19707)IS FULL OF MEDICAL SERVICES AND SOME INTERNET SERVICES (E.G. WWW.ITMC.COM - RUN BY AN EX NATIONAL GUARD OFFICER WHO IS A MAJOR SPEAKER FOR HIRE ON DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND WEB CONSTRUCTS ETC) ALSO ONE DOCTOR IS LISTED AS BEING A DOCTOR and ALSO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR..THE PLOT THICKENS.
I'M CALLING THE FBI IN THE MORNING ANYWAY.
DYLAN
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| 2006-01-28 19:56 - Christy writes: |
I have received severall calls over the past week from this group. On Thursday, 1/26, I instructed them to take me off their list. They apologized and said they would. Friday 1/27 8PM CST they call again. I told them again that they are to take me off their list and then I hung up. Saturday 1/28 2:25PM, they called again and this time I was pissed! I told them that this was harrassment and that if they called one more time, I would be turning the company into the state. Can this be looked at as harrassment? Did anyone find anymore info or did the FBI say anything? This is really getting annoying!
Christy
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| 2006-01-31 20:35 - Jenni writes: |
My god! The calls I've been getting from these people. As a general rule, I don't pick up for 1-800 numbers. I let my telezapper and the answering machine deal with them. But they call, and call, and call. Finally I decided to pick up. "Um.. hi. I'm.. um... calling about.. um... student loan consolidation...... ..... ...." "Okay.. and?" More silence on the line. "I don't think I'm interested." and I hung up.
Didn't help the calls though.
1/30 8:20
1/28 4:37
1/28 12:36
1/27 8:09
1/26 7:59
1/25 8:00
I think I'm missing some, as I'm rather prone to erasing the entry when I see it. Which I will be stopping.
My email is technical dot angel which is at gmail another dot com
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| 2006-01-31 22:00 - Tammy writes: |
I also have been getting calls all week from these people and googled the number. I found this post. I've had 4 calls since Friday 1-27. I have told them that we are on the no call list twice. Tonight, I got pissed and told them that I would be reporting them. They apologized again, just like last night! I am filing a claim on the do not call website. If it does any good...I will let you know. If anyone finds another solution, please let the rest of us know.
Tammy
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| 2006-02-02 16:46 - Amanda writes: |
I've just reported their (302) number to Do Not Call Registry. I keep getting calls from them, about 2-3 a day! If that doesn't work, I would suggest e-mailing or writing to them and mentioning how you're going to need to file legal action if they keep calling.
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| 2006-02-02 23:01 - Amanda writes: |
I too have been getting these ridiculous calls! Googled the number & found this site. We've had 6+ calls since January 25th... sometimes they call multiple times so it may be more like 12-18 times since Jan. 25th. There really needs to be a way to stop these calls.
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| 2006-02-03 21:21 - Dan writes: |
Does anyone know if this is a legit company? Like everyone else, I've been getting many calls, and for some reason, I received a consolidation application from them in the mail today...despite saying I wasn't interested. I'm half tempted to send in the paperwork just to get them to stop calling several times a day(6 so far this week). Also, the return address on the envelope is different from the one listed in the original post above:
P.O. Box 1537
Hockessin, DE 19707
...and the return envelope for the paperwork goes here:
726 Yorklyn Rd
Suite 200
Hockessin, DL 19707
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| 2006-02-07 11:10 - Erik writes: |
Is this is legit company? I was considering consolidating my student loans with them, and everything I've found online (including their website -- it apparently exists now) seems on the up and up. I'm an attorney, and have checked for past litigation against them, and so far I've found nothing. I haven't looked yet for pending litigation, but I will (especially after reading some of these posts). If anyone has any other information, it would be appreciated.
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| 2006-02-07 14:24 - Erik writes: |
Also...I've checked with the Better Business Bureau, and they don't have enough info on this company to issue any kind of validation for them. I've also checked the Delaware Division of Corporations, and they are indeed registered as a non-profit corporation.
This leads me to point out that the Federal Do Not Call list contains an exemption for non-profit charitable organizations. When I spoke with their representative on the phone he said about a dozen times that they were a non-profit...could be that they are taking advantage of the legal loophole in the Do Not Call registry.
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| 2006-02-07 20:35 - Elisa writes: |
I too have been receiving numerous calls from these people! They keep calling, even though I tell them to take me off their call lists. In fact I just received a call from them 15 minutes ago. I just let the phone ring! I am trying to find out from the Missouri Attorney General's office if there is anything that can be done. He (Jay Nixon) has a good track record of going after companies like this one apparently is!
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| 2006-02-07 20:51 - Elisa writes: |
FYI - it appears that the only time that a non-profit organization can call you is if they are doing charitable fundraising - which this company it definitely not. Additionally, after you have told them not to call, they are not supposed to call you - no matter what their "non-profit" status is.
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| 2006-02-08 16:02 - Gretchen writes: |
I've had so many calls from this number... 6 calls today in the last 2 hours! I decided to google the number and came across this posting. Both my husband and myself have filed complaints with the national do not call registry. I don't care who they are, this many calls is abuse. Please file complaints so this stops. Thank you!
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| 2006-02-14 15:07 - Kate writes: |
Again, I also have been getting these calls. I just assumed it was because I'm currently in college but now I see that's not the case!
I have been getting one per day for the past week or two. I answered the first time and this foreign woman starts explaining loan consolodation for student loans and that I need one. I really could BARELY understand her through her thick accent so I said I was walking down the street and it wasn't a good time. She said she'd call back. She wasn't kidding.
This has to stop!
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| 2006-02-14 21:24 - Trinity writes: |
Erik, please, PLEASE do NOT do business with this company!!
Keep filing complaints with the do not call registry at donotcall.gov. By they way. the 302-654-6350 number has been changed to 302-999-0110.
Contact your elected officials as much as this company is contacting you, and maybe someone will stop them.
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| 2006-02-17 14:16 - Luc Luong writes: |
Every day I repeatedly receive phone calls from this number, 800 Services 1 800 201 0577, although many times I told the lady on the phone I?m not interested in their commercials and asked to stop calling my number again. Sometime she kept repeating her unwanted commercials sometime she just hung up on me when I picked the phone and doing so several times a day, even late in the evening. Her persisting and intentional annoying operations caused infinite hard times to me. Previously I encountered a similar case and reported the issue to the Garden Grove Police but it was to no avail as the GGPD said that there was nothing it could do and told me to raise the question to the SBC phone company. The SBC, in its turn, asked me to pay a monthly fee to have 800 numbers blocked. As a low-incomer I cannot afford such a service.
There might be a connection between phone companies and that 800 number, which most likely is instrumental to forcing customers to purchase blocking services.
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| 2006-02-18 12:00 - Katherine writes: |
Another trouble maker is 888-611-9968. The whole scenario infers that the 800-201-0577 and the above number have a common source. The main goal of those rogues, I guess, is luring targets into their suspecious student loan consolidation intrigue. I did file comlaint to the FTC but the chance to successful depends on how many such complaints this organization receives. The greater the number the more likely an investigation is considered. Why not try this channel?
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| 2006-02-21 10:45 - Nick writes: |
One way to have those rascals'mouths shut is resort to the FCC by donotcall@fcc.gov.
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| 2006-02-22 18:01 - Marsha writes: |
They have moved again. Now they are supposedly at:
Academic Funding Foundation
706A Greenbank Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
the phone number is 866-850-1746
Just like others had posted, their website wasn't "up" - He said it was down for updates - but today, it's up and running. Two different calls to consolidate my student loans. The scary thing is that they had all my loan amounts! Do I want to deal with them??? No thanks!
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| 2006-02-25 16:07 - Alison writes: |
I received a call from them around a week ago, and, being a student about to graduate I asked them to send me information about their company so I can go over it with the financial advisor. The man on the phone then said he would "assist" me by filling out the application forms for me. He asked me for information on my place of employment. Then, he asked me for my driver's license number. I told him I wasn't going to give anyone that info over the phone and to just send me the application so I could look it over. I received it yesterday and the application had my full social security number filled in! As well as all my loan history. How in the world did they get my social security number????? I'm reporting it to the FCC. Thank you so much for your stories. I'm so glad I googled the "foundation".
P.S. The site was up and running when I went. Also, the number he gave was 1-866-850-1746 and he said to ask for Ron Mitchell.
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| 2006-02-27 13:32 - Keith writes: |
This company is now calling from 1-800-204-1128. I am getting the same calls and get the same impressions as those already reported above.
Alison - with your SSN being disclosed by a company you have had no contact with I would strongly recommend you contact the three major credit bureaus and put a "fraud alert" (I think that is what the term is) on them. Basically it locks out new credit applications/reporting/approval from the bureaus without the bureau contacting you.
This may be a perfectly legitimate loan consolidation offer/company/service. But, from their obviously suspicious practices of switching phone numbers, switching business addresses and their practice of obviously circumventing the Federal and state do not call programs, I would never do business with them.
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| 2006-03-09 16:14 - Damian C Munn writes: |
They called me with the new number, 1-800-204-1128 as well. I asked him to send me information in print, and he referred me to the website academicfundingfoundation.org which was conveniently down. It truly sounds like a scheme to me.
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| 2006-03-14 14:16 - David writes: |
Just rec'd my first call today from 1-800-204-1128, which was a hang-up. After reading these posts I'm sorry I picked up at all. So much for our no-call list I guess.....
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| 2006-03-14 19:34 - Michaela writes: |
Received 2 calls from them today: 6:20p and 12:41p
One 3/11: 10:57a
and One 3/10: 1:32p
I receive NUMEROUS calls from companies wanting to consolidate student loans. I haven't asked enough questions to find out if it is the same company calling over and over after I've told them to add me to their do not call lists...But now I plan to find out.
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| 2006-03-14 19:35 - Michaela writes: |
Oh...by the way...The calls were from 800-204-1128 and I'm in the Central Time Zone
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| 2006-03-14 19:39 - Michaela writes: |
I just called the 800 # and chose option number 5 and asked them to add my number to their DNC list....We'll see if it works.
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| 2006-03-15 22:49 - James writes: |
I have received hang-up phone calls from 1-800-204-1128 every night at 8:30 PM for 2 weeks and am at my wit's end. I've just made a complaint to the Do Not Call Registry.
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| 2006-03-16 20:51 - Devon writes: |
Received calls from them, asked for the paper work, they sent an application with my loan details, I filled in all the other details and sent it back, they had my loans consolidated, i received a .25% rate reduction for choosing auto debit and I've been offered a further 1% reduction once I make 36 consecutive on time payments. They've helped me. I find them to be true.
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| 2006-03-17 17:32 - Jackson writes: |
Want to bet "Devon" works for this company?
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| 2006-03-17 18:24 - sugapablo writes: |
heh...that's what I was thinking. :)
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| 2006-03-21 20:41 - Gary writes: |
Had two calls from this company - both times I told them I was on the RDNC list - and not to call me anymore. I'm reporting them to https://www.donotcall.gov/ If everybody would do the same we might show a pattern.
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| 2006-03-21 23:09 - kim writes: |
well now i feel like an idiot....the company had been calling me and calling me at home...of course i was at work ...i called them back just mad and wanting to get whatever they wanted out of the way ....unfortunatly i wasnt thinking when they asked for my SS # and i actually gave it...i. have been stressing bout it all night now and am calling them back to take me off my list.....i wish i would have looked this up before talking to them ..anyone have any suggestions for keeping them from passing on my SS #??? UGH !!!!!!
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| 2006-03-27 17:36 - Marsky writes: |
I have been receiving like 3 or 4 calls a day from these people (1-800-204-1128), that I never answer, and they never leave a message on the machine. They also call pretty late (9 p.m. MST).
My husband spoke with someone on the phone who called from the Academic Funding Foundation a couple weeks ago. She had a thick accent (sounded like she was from India), told him she was with a non-profit organization and talked to him about how she could give him these great low rates on reconsolidating his student loans. He asked her to send more information to him.
He did receive a large envelope from this address:
P.O. Box 1537
Hockessin, DE 19707
Inside it, there was an application for consolidation with all his personal information already on it. I don't think he gave her any of this information, so how did she get it? It has his work address and company, SSN, birth date, driver's license #, and a list of all the student loans he has. There's also a personalized monthly payment estimate with a low interest rate of 3.5% if he uses automatic check debit and pays on-time for 36 consecutive months. The loan promissory note does show this organization as having a "Lender Code" of 834196.
He hasn't done anything with this application, since he's still in school for one more semester and wants to wait to reconsolidate, and find out if this company is legit. I've been pretty nervous about going through this company. I'd prefer reconsolidating through our local credit union -- I trust them.
Two days ago, I received a flier in the mail from the Academic Funding Foundation. The return address is:
706 A Greenbank Rd.
Wilmington, DE 19808
The flier says, "Urgent Notice: Your Reconsolidation Opportunity Expires in... 8 Days" on the front and on the back, it says, "The Department of Education has revoked your right to reconsolidate your student loans! Your reconsolidation loan application must be returned to Academic Funding Foundation no later than March 29 (I received this on the 25th, by the way). The Department of Education recently ruled that reconsolidation loans will no longer be permitted after March 29. Because you have already begun the application process (he asked for more information and received the application, already filled out for him), you are still eligible to reconsolidate but only if we receive your signed and completed application by March 29, 2006. This is your last chance to reconsolidate for better financial benefits. Please call an AFF Loan Counselor to arrange a FREE FedEx pickup of your signed documents. 1-866-850-1746."
I looked into what this post card says by searching online, and came up with these news releases:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/3/prweb363775.htm
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2006/3/emw362791.htm
Maybe this company is legit, and they're being annoying because they won't be able to get new customers for much longer! I did check out the website (www.academicfundingfoundation.org) and it was up. Looked like a nice website. I'll look into all this further. If I find something more out, I'll post again. If anyone can tell me anything about this company, based on what I've posted, please do. Thanks
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| 2006-03-27 17:59 - Marsky writes: |
*UPDATE*
I just called the US Department of Education's customer service line at 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) and asked the representative if the Academic Funding Foundation is a legitamate organization. The girl told me they are legitamate. She has heard of them. She says they do "two-step" loan consolidations, meaning the Department of Education sells our student loans to them, and they give us the benefits of that sale by making our rates lower. She said it is true that organizations like that will no longer be able to reconsolidate our loans after March 31st. (See my previous post for news releases detailing this information.) After March 31st, the Academic Funding Foundation will no longer be able to reconsolidate loans because they do it using the "two-step" method, which is being taken away by the Department of Education. They are legit. They have a "Lender Code" and their rates are very good. I asked the girl at the Dept. of Education if the Academic Funding Foundation was a "scam" and if they would try to rip me off if I did business with them. She said they would not scam me. I don't think it's right for them to be calling people so much -- it's definitely been annoying me like crazy. But I think they're doing it because they won't be able to get any more people to reconsolidate through them after March 31st. Hope this is helpful.
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| 2006-03-27 18:06 - Marsky writes: |
*UPDATE*
Oh, by the way, they are allowed to look up your personal information for their applications using the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), but only if you authorize it. That must have been what happened with my husband. By asking them to send him more information, he "authorized" them to get his personal information, and that's why it shows on the application.
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| 2006-03-28 21:43 - dustin writes: |
These calls have been driving me and my girlfriend nuts for the last few months. Tonight they called about 5 times within an hour and I was quite perturbed to say the least. Like a lot of people here, I googled the 800-204-1128 number and found this site. The information from Marsky was very promising about the March 31st deadline for 2-step loan consolidation. I called the 800 number from my caller id and was greeted with a menu. Options 1-4 were for information Option 5 was to be removed from all calls and marketing which i thought that one of the last times we got these calls that i was already on. I chose option 5. A man with a think Indian accent asked how he could help me. I Told him i wanted off the list, he took my number and said that i wouldn't receive anymore calls after 24 hours. I called back and chose option 1 to ask another man with a thick Indian accent if the March 31st deadline for all 2-step consolidations applied to this company and he said it did. I then confirmed that after March 31st i would not receive any more calls from his company and he asked for my phone number to be placed on the list. I told him that I called earlier to be placed on that list and he replied that I will not receive anymore calls. I seriously hope so since is seems that the DoNotCall program is full of loopholes and the government will not do anything about these kinds of companies. Hopefully after the 31st these calls will stop. I'll keep you posted.
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| 2006-04-01 08:59 - Ted writes: |
These calls that i've been gettin' in the last few days were quite annoying.
I checked in with the state bank commisioner's office, and found this company to be legit. I tried calling their toll free, and they were ready there to pick up the call. I've checked in with almost all resources, and perfectly found them out to be a non-profit organization. Their website actually works.there doesn't seem to be any big threat actually, as it probably seems. I would suggest that people before posting their comments would need to actually check in with all resources available, because although, i do agree they have been annoying over the last few days, i was able to find out that the reason they actually tried calling so many times a day was for our own good.
It seems the dept. of edu had given an opportunity to students like us to take previlege of switching over to other companies, that offered the best. This opportunity didn't exist until now and it seems probably wouldn't exist after 31 st march. It is just because, there is a rule called the single lender rule. well in the single lender rule,it seems we need to actually go with the lender which lends us loans. we have no option. we need to bear with their interest rates,and pay to their hungry pockets. But this period, of going with any other comp., what i would call as a golden opportunity,seems to have just ended yesterday, and probably from now on, we would again be restricted by the single lender rule.It seems we were all given an opportunity, and the company, as a non-profit tried helping us realise that fact. Probably they use a dialler, the reason i would say, they weren't able to reach many of us is probably because of the lack of resources, where the calls end up as drop calls.(i have had the same experience of drop calls at my call center) We all need to appreciate this small company, that has put up a big difference, by although being small, and although lacked a bit of resources, they've tried their very best to help us realise the fact of the single lender rule and the amount of money that would run into interests, that could probably still stick on to our wallet. I've also checked in with other companies' offers, online and through mail. It really seems,that this small non profit org. seems to be offering one of the best deals in the market, well there are other companies too... But still, let's not stone a stephen . I would suggest, Lets give them a chance..Well if they could start off so good with the less resources they have, let's give them a hand and help them stand big and make a big difference from the other banks in our country. There are so many small companies like these, that involve in scam, and so many big companies, that rob us even without our own knowledge,but this small company has surely made a difference, i think... academic funding foundation, whoeever, you guys are, have been doing something different. When the other banks try to rob us through STUDENT LOANS, (it really seems unfair), you guys have done it big, although you seem small. ...I would appreciate your work along with my other friends, and in case if u check into this link, don't be pissed off, just remember, that the tree that has sweet fruits always gets the first stone...
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| 2006-04-01 10:57 - sugapablo writes: |
Ted: "that the reason they actually tried calling so many times a day was for our own good."
LOL!
Ted is obviously a shill for this company. :)
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| 2006-04-02 18:40 - Trinity writes: |
This company uses a couple 888 numbers, and fortunately I am able to block specific numbers from calling me.
I also contacted the Deleware Attorney General and the Nebraska Attorney General, as I live in NE. I received a letter from the Deleware Attorney General's office that there are complaints filed with the BBB against this company.
No reputable company is going to hunt down your SS #. Think about it,. How many companies for even government agencies will find out your SS# and add it to documents when you have only asked for additional information.
Keep filing complaints against them!
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| 2006-04-04 19:19 - Scott writes: |
Well, found this after googling the number as many others have. I just received a call today, which is past the March 31st deadline. I've gotten used to seeing calls from "unknown" 800 numbers and google each one I see. After reading about this one here, I decided to promptly add it to my blocked caller list. They will never be able to get ahold of me or even leave voicemail, but I will be able to see just how many times they call by checking my logs.
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| 2006-04-05 00:57 - Marsky writes: |
*Update*
I just wanted to let everyone know that this company has not called me since the 30th of March. Not sure why some people are still receiving calls after the 31st, since this company should not be able to do business with new customers after that date. Keep posting if you keep hearing from them.
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| 2006-04-05 13:07 - nate writes: |
I rec'd a call on April 4th, even though I'm on the Do Not Call list. Their "nonprofit" status is highly questionable, since they aren't listed with the IRS as charitable organization. I filed a complaint on www.donotcall.com.
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| 2006-04-05 13:12 - nate writes: |
GET BACK AT AFF!!! Click on their google ad 10 times to make them pay for wasting your time!
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| 2006-04-05 15:53 - Roxane writes: |
Like many others, I found this site by googling the numbers. I just rec'd the call (April 6, 2006) from 800-204-1128. I filed a complaint with the donotcall.gov site. Thank you everyone for your input.
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| 2006-04-05 15:59 - Eric writes: |
I just found this website after getting 1-800-204-1128 on my Caller ID. Funny how it turned out to be Academic Funding Foundation. Last October I sent them a letter to stop calling me after getting calls during dinner for two straight weeks. They stopped calling--for about 2 months. Then I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. That was about two and a half months ago. And now I'll be getting ready to file another complaint or two. I guess if you're getting calls from these people, don't expect them to stop calling you--ever.
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| 2006-04-18 23:02 - Jeff writes: |
After nearly 3 years on the Do Not Call list, I get calls from these Bozos at AFF. I reported them to the FTC. I got tired of receiving several calls each night between 8 and 9. So I answered one call and rather aburptly said "What do you want?" As and East Indian woman started to speak I lambasted her with: 1) I was on a Do Not Call list and she was in violation of US Law. Thereby, this is a prosectuable offense. 2) I have already reported all previous calls from you to the FTC. 3) I knew all about her phone game and I will be in touch with my attorney tomorrow. 4) So if you know what's good for you, you will forget my phone number. All I got was a bunch of "Yes, Sirs". I feel that AFF will doubly target me now and my next plan is to, other than hound the FTC to do something, have AFF phone number blocked from my phone. Their 800-204-1128 number, I'm sure eventually they will just get a different number and continue to harrass all of us.
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| 2006-04-25 11:02 - jovan writes: |
you can try filiing a complaint man but till now what all the other guys have done yeiled no results ....so try doing somthing different this time
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| 2006-04-25 12:39 - Penny writes: |
Over the past two months, I have been getting recorded phone calls telling me it was "URGENT" that I call David Hughes at some 800 number -- that it was not a solicitation, but a matter of financial urgency. Knowing I wasn't behind on any bills, including my student loan, I ignored it, figuring if it really was for me, then a REAL person could call.
Well, last week I started getting phone calls from Kevin Donnel...at 1-866-850-1746; he asks for me by name, and when I say "I'm Penny..." he immediately goes into his sales pitch. The first time he called, about halfway through, my 2 year old started coloring on the sofa with a sharpie...so I had to go; I got his phone #, and said I'd call back. He also gave me his "employer ID #" 834196.
He called the enxt day (Saturday) at 8:30AM. I was dealing with a serious bout of morning sickness, and told him I'd call back when I was well.
Same guy, Kevin Donnel, called yesterday (Monday) at 5:20AM!! My husband answered the phone, and when "Kevin" identified himself, my husband ripped him a new one, and informed hime of the time!
That brings me to today..."Kevin" called again this morning; this time at 6:48AM! When I sleepily answered the phone, I ripped him a new one, and told him to never call here again!
I'm glad I googled the phone number (I couldn't remember the name of "Kevin's" company)...which led me here. I'm quite happy with the student loan folks I'm currently dealign with. I don't recall what my rates are, but... within the next 3 weeks, if all goes well, our house will be sold, and we'll use some of the proceeds of the sale to pay off all our debts. No more loan, hopefully means no more phone calls.
I have taken the advice of other posters, and filed a complaint with the Do Not Call list anyhow...That's what it's there for, right?
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| 2006-04-30 19:07 - dorhuya writes: |
Array
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| 2006-05-04 22:05 - john doe writes: |
I've been getting numerous 800 calls after being on the do not call list, which worked good for about 1yr. That Acad Fund Fdtn called, I called back telling them to put me on the do not call list, she said okey, then they called 3 more times that same day. There's got to be a way to stop them!!!
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| 2006-05-05 18:06 - /tim writes: |
There is a better way...
http://www.scn.org/~bk269/data.html
If you're technically savy enough to put the SIT tones at the beginning of your answering machine message, you can defeat many of these annoying telemarketing calls.
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| 2006-05-06 15:14 - Jim D writes: |
AHHHHH! I am so glad I found this site. Theses people call me as many as 6 times in 1 day. I've had it and told them to STOP calling, but I just got one more today. The ID says 800-204-1128. One of the first calls that I got from them I asked them for a phone number and they gave me 866-850-1746 -Acamenic Funding Corp. is what they said, and their hours were 2 - 10:00 PM. Someone has to know how to shut these people up.
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| 2006-05-12 16:35 - Alex writes: |
I hate these people. They send mail that looks suspiciously like my college's official mail, but isn't. Now they've been calling (from 800-204-1128). Why won't they take no for an answer? Do they really think they're going to harass me into doing business with them? Stoooopid.
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| 2006-05-20 14:26 - Kris writes: |
We have received 3 calls from 1-800-204-1128 in the last 3 days, on our landline that my husband uses for his business. Each time except today, immediately following the call from the 800#, we received a call from 1-201-793-1694. I googled the 201#, and it is associated with calls purporting to be law enforcement raising money for something, and they can be very harassing. The company name is Allsec Tech, and they are out of India. Here is a list:
5/16 4:03pm 800-204-1128
5/16 4:03pm 201-793-1694
5/17 12:16pm 800-204-1128
5/17 12:17pm 201-793-1694
5/18 10:02am 800-204-1128
No messages were left. The interesting thing is that my husband received a call on his cell phone from 201-793-1694 on 5/16 at about 4pm - it went to voicemail, and no message was left.
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| 2006-05-20 14:42 - Kris writes: |
Okay - I just reported all of the calls to www.donotcall.gov - and called the 800# and the 201# and told them to take me off their list - don't call me any more - got the "it will be removed within 24 hrs" response - sounded like my call went to India on both the 800#and the 201#. What's funny is, it sounded like the same woman answered both calls.
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| 2006-05-23 21:29 - Giggles writes: |
I just got a call tonight from the 800-204-1128 number right at 9 p.m. EST. It is WELL after the 31st of March, and I know I have never attempted any student loan consolidation. If they're not allowed to take on any new customers past 3/31 per the Dept of Education, why are they still calling people (like me) who are not current customers? I didn't answer the phone, but let the answering machine get it. No message. I haven't been paying attention to these kinds of calls, lately, but after reading these posts, I certainly will start monitoring them. This site has been VERY informative! I'll keep checking back for updates. Thanks!
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| 2006-05-25 15:03 - Joe writes: |
We had been receiving calls for a couple of weeks now during the day when no one was home. Last night, the number came up and it was from Education Funding Foundation, wanting to consolidate my sons student loan. I listened to what seemed to be a man of middle east descent until he asked for ssn on me and my son, advised him not to call anymore.
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| 2006-05-27 21:48 - Deanna writes: |
Yeah. Last week sometime I got a call from "Craig Branson" (I didn't realize there were so many Craig Bransons in India!) who wanted to consolidate my loans. It sounded legit to me, although I was distracted when he said who he was with, so I just blew it off. Since I hand't gotten my packet yet (should have gotten it days ago). So I googled 866-850-1746 to find out the company before I called back about the packet and found this website. Thankfully I haven't gotten repetitive calls (yet), but I will contact the BBB. Scary to wonder if a possibly scamming company had so much of my info!!! I thought it was kind of weird when he asked me for the first two #'s of my SSN. Who asks for those? it's always the last four. Anyway. I'm glad I haven't seen a packet yet and will throw it away if I do se eone. Too bad I'm not comfortable doing busienss with them. Seemed like a good deal.
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| 2006-06-07 13:17 - Cardeth writes: |
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS PEOPLE!!!!!!This is really crazy! if they are real or not, legal or not. There is something that is not correct here. I made the misake to send back the paperwork and now after 4 months they never actually consolidate my loan. They do not call back.... maybe they are in India??? they do not update or DO any about your paperwork. I had to call my original bank lender and ask them to reply their request. up today I am not going to do business with such a people, they are all confused, they do not know about the status of anything and they are not to trust at all. I am consolidating with my original bank that I can trust. In that office there is a BRYANT ext. 3881 A SANDI EXT 7405 , a SHAME, a Yeni DAniels ext 3390 according to them all SUPERVISOR IN CHARGE!!!! I couldn't find their web site and their phone # is 1800 596 8760 and 1866 850 1746. Now after reading all that is posted here, I am running far from them... Thanks for your comments that help me to made a better decision and of course I am going to report them!!! how in the world they have my info and what is going to happen later! I do not want surprises I am calling fraud line now !!!!!!
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| 2006-06-07 13:26 - cardeth writes: |
Ok one more if the web site sometimes is up and sometimes not this looks like a scam WATCH OUT!!!!
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| 2006-06-16 13:45 - Shell writes: |
I received 4 phone calls within 2 hrs. I ignored them because I did not recognize them. I finally called them back the next day out of curiousity. Some foreign man answered and was incredibly rude and screamed he would call back later, I hung up and blocked it from my cell phone.
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| 2006-06-26 11:27 - fuming writes: |
I have been harrassed by these phone calls for weeks, from different toll-free numbers (all of the ones on this page and others). I have reported them to the Better Business Bureau, and have asked them to stop calling, all without any luck. Today, I got a working Deleware number (302) 892-3344. The person answering the phone said, "AFF" and confirmed that they are Academic Funding Foundation and do solicit for loan consolidation for federal student loans. She identified herself as "the vice president" (I can't believe I was so upset I forgot to ask her name! darn). I asked her if she was aware that the deplorable and appalling telephone harrassment was going on, and she professed not to. I told her I had a log of the phone calls to my house, and I expected them to stop immediately and she said she would "get to the bottom of this". Maybe this is a legitimate business who has just contracted out for telephone soliciting, and maybe they will actually handle it. I'm not holding my breath, however.~~~~but that is an actual number being answered by an actual person identifying her company as "AFF", and if calls don't stop, I think I will just have to call (302) 892-3344 several times a day until they do.
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| 2006-06-26 23:25 - rit writes: |
I am also getting repeated calls, even after mar31st. Any workable solution will be helpful. I have now registered to donotcall.gov
thanks
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| 2006-07-10 19:12 - ladybug writes: |
I got a ton of calls recently. And it's now July...good grief, they don't give up.
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| 2006-08-03 13:41 - Lou A Polcari writes: |
I called the (302) 892-3344 and reached an answering service... Anyway... I know that they are from India, and that it is some sort of scam. I am calling the FBI
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| 2006-08-17 13:49 - Chris writes: |
It is August 17th and I'm STILL getting these calls. I have literally been getting calls from this company for at least TWO MONTHS every single weekday. It is really getting irritating. I just graduated from college and have already consolidated my loans with a company I am happy with. I've told them this so many times that it got to the point where I told them never to call me back EVER AGAIN.
Well, they didn't listen (clearly). I didn't even think to google the number until today, which is how I found this forum. I just reported them as violating the "do not call" list thing. I wish there were other things to do. I may just drive to Delaware and storm their office.
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| 2006-08-22 18:14 - Anna Lee writes: |
I just wanted to say that this thread has been very helpful in my quest to figure out who the hell kept calling me, despite the fact that I am on both the national and my state's Do Not Call list. Today was at least the fifth call, and I explicitly stated, "I am not interested. Please remove my name from your call list, and do not call me again." If they do, I'm filing criminal charges, since that moves the calls squarely into harassment territory. How absolutely frustrating...
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| 2006-08-26 12:00 - Jamie writes: |
Good lord, these people are relentless. They have been calling for three months, everyday. Most of the time when I answer there is no one on the other end for me to bitch out. I've called them three times and asked to be removed from their calling list but it hasn't worked. I have VOIP so every incoming call is logged. Last night, I took the time to file individual complaints with the FTC for the most recent dozen or so calls. I called AFF again this morning and asked to speak with a supervisor who assured me that I would be removed (yeah, right). I asked her what she was going to do differently than the previous people I spoke with. She just said that I would be removed. I think what might anger me the most is the fact that on more than one occasion, they've tried to get my husband (not a co-signer) to give them information or permission to consolidate my student loans. WTF!? Also, the time for consolidating has passed. They suck.
I am also on the Do Not Call list.
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| 2006-09-02 03:18 - Lynne writes: |
I've seen this number on my caller ID many times. Never pick up for 800 numbers. Today my son picked up the phone while I was out. The entire conversation is recorded on my answering machine. First they asked to speak with my husband. Son told them he was out. Asked to speak to me, told them I was in the shower (good boy!). Then asked what time my husband would be home. Son told him late since he was refereeing a game. She asked if there was anyway to get in touch with him, it was important. He told her he had his cell and she asked him for that number!! He told her that he(my husband) would have it turned off since he was working the game. She asked two more times for his cell number!!! Luckily, he never gave it out. I have it all on tape!! Couldn't believe she asked for cell number. She knew she was talking to a child b/c she asked who she was talking with. Can you believe this!!
I called back the number b/c I was so upset that they would ask my child for a parent's cell number. They were closed but the thick accent on the message was barely understandable. Googled it and got this site. I'm calling to have them take me off their list. Plus, all our loans are already consolidated so I couldn't go with them if I wanted to!!.
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| 2006-09-05 16:16 - K writes: |
Ok- I have been getting and OUTRAGEOUS amount of calls from this stupid place it is from 1-800-204-1128- I told them to quit calling or I will file a complaint - they said sorry and hung up well over the past 2 wks I have received this
25 calls from them since aug 25th
UGGGH this is crazy!
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| 2006-09-10 15:27 - Trish writes: |
Well they are hitting Hawaii now. I've only received a couple of calls and haven't answered either. My husband cosigned a student loan for our son so I guess that's why they are calling. I would never do business with them even if they are a legitimate company. Their business practices are not those of a trustworthy reputable business. Much better to go with a local company you can trust.
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| 2006-09-13 22:32 - Linda writes: |
My favorite solution is to keep a whistle next to the phone and let them have it ... funny how the calls have stopped :)
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| 2006-09-14 05:36 - WhistleBlower writes: |
I hope you talk quietly so they have to listen more carefully and possibly turn up the volume :)
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| 2006-09-14 15:52 - Carol writes: |
We started getting calls from 800-204-1128 two days ago, on 9/12/06. They call at the same time every day, around 3.30pm EST. I found my way here by googling the number. I don't answer 800 numbers as a rule and based on what people have written here, I will refrain from answering just for the satisfaction of telling them off because the calls will only increase if they think they have a legitimate phone number. Sounds like reports to donotcall.gov are useless. I guess the BBB is a step in the right direction so I will make a complaint within my state of Michigan.
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| 2006-09-15 15:24 - Norah writes: |
I have also been getting several phone calls a day from the 900-204-1128 number. One time I answered, but didn't say anything, and it was dead on the other end. I plan on reporting them at donotcall.gov - maybe eventually the pile of complaints will get noticed. The most annoying part of it all? I don't even have ANY student loans!
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| 2006-09-15 20:53 - Thomas writes: |
They are doing TN's phonebook now. It will be cool if we give them a lot of false information on the phone so they spend a lot of money in the mail and give up on this.
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| 2006-09-15 21:17 - Happy One writes: |
I just "filled" one application on theur website! Maybe that will send a "message"!
Congratulations!
You are one step closer to reducing your monthly Student loan payments up to 51%!
Thank you for submitting your information. A certified Loan Counselor will be contacting you shortly to verify your information and start processing your Consolidation Welcome Kit.
Best Wishes,
Academic Funding Foundation
1-866-850-1746
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| 2006-09-15 21:19 - Very Happy writes: |
Of course, they only verify the zip code, the rest can be anything.
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| 2006-09-15 22:43 - Mark1 writes: |
1-800-204-1128 bothered me three times tonight. I picked up on the third call and very forcefully told to female caller to remove me from the list or I would file a complaint with the BBB and the national do not call registry. She convieniently played "dumb". Godamn vultures. PEOPLE: keep filing complaints each and every time they call, let's shut em' down! www.donotcall.gov
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| 2006-09-17 18:31 - Dex Sinister writes: |
Here's the Deleware BBB's info page on these bastards, from which as BBB complaint can be filed http://tinyurl.com/ze4x3 "Click on "instructions" under "complaint center" on the left, or use this link: http://complaint.bbb.org/
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| 2006-09-17 19:05 - Lack of Action FROM US writes: |
ONLY 10 COMPLAINTS!!! THAT'S WHY THEY GO ON!
The Bureau processed a total of 10 complaints about this company since the firm's BBB file was opened in November of 2005. Of the total 10 complaints since the firm's BBB file was opened in November of 2005, 10 of those were closed in the last 12 months.
Complaints Concerned
Advertising Issues: 2
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 2; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|
Sales Practice Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|
Service Issues: 3
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 3; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|
Customer Service Issues: 3
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 3; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]| |[Company
resolved the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|
Billing or Collection Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1; |[Company resolved the complaint issues.
The consumer failed to acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.]|
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| 2006-09-19 13:22 - Dex Sinister writes: |
Hmmmm. I seem to have had pretty good luck with filing a complaint with donotcall.gov, filing a complaint with the Delaware BBB, and then FAXING copies of both compleated complaints to the AFF's Delaware office fax number listed on the BBB site with a cover page telling them I was going to continue to file new complaints every time they dialed my number. No calls in a couple of days.
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| 2006-09-19 15:56 - Tara writes: |
Does anyone know whether loans that have been consolidated in the past can be consolidated again? I was under the impression that the answer was NO, under federal law.
Well, count me among the happy group that's now on AFF's radar screen. When they first called me the other day, I said I have already consolidated and thought that would get rid of them. The agent mumbled something about how "the laws have changed recently" and tried to get me to fill out an application anyway. Of course I refused.
Based on a Google search, I don't see anything about changed laws. Sounds like it's basically impossible to get rid of these people, but if there's ANY way, if might be if there's just simply no legal way I can re-consolidate. (A small silver lining to the fact that my sky-high rates and I had to sit it out while everyone else was grabbing those great rates a few months back, sigh....)
Anyone? Any info? Help! (Thanks!)
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| 2006-09-19 17:32 - Fun with Studen Loans writes: |
Is there something we all have in common called Sallie Mae? I am wondering if maybe this company is an affiliate, thus you hold an account with them making it legal for them to call.
When I called Sallie Mae before with a glitch in the auto payment I spoke to "Chris Martin" a few times with their customer service clearly in India (or a place in the US w/ a lot of Indian accented Chris Martins).
Either way, I'm going to do some research w/ Sallie Mae's customer service and see if I can get some reports from the TFNs. I'll get my friend in telecom to help...
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| 2006-09-20 17:44 - Dani writes: |
I'm in IA and have been receiving calls everyday from 800-204-1128 for a while. It's driving us crazy. It's always silence on the other end.
I've ignored it until now and just found this site today. I was so angry seeing that other people are going through this as well.
I just reported them to the donotcall site. I also called back and waited on hold for a while. I yelled as "Melissa Richards" who claimed to be a supervisor (didn't know supervisors answered calls like that). I told her to remove my number immediately. I called from my cell to see if they were capturing the incoming phone numbers. They are. (no surprise) I told her NOT to add my number and to remove my home number immediately. I asked her where she is located - Delaware. I made sure she said she was actually in Delaware, not just the company. I also made her tell me what number she is at. She just kept saying "the number you dialed". I was like "uh huh - tell me the number" 866-850-1746. Not the number I dialed.
I told her every call I get from now on I'm reporting to the FTC, the BBB and the Delaware state attorney general.
It probably wont't do much good or it won't last long, but it felt good at least to yell at someone about it.
Oh, and at one point she tried to tell me what they do, as if she were going to give me some sales spiel, and I cut her off yelling "I don't give a crap what you do!"
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| 2006-09-21 16:19 - Dex Sinister writes: |
I believe that the DE number listed below in the BBB report is their actual DE office number, as opposed to their call center number (the off-hours recordings are different). The fax number works as well.
SUGGESTION: Tie up their actual business resources by calling their OFFICE and complaining, instead of their call center. Tie up their business fax with written complaints. Every Windows computer can send faxes: here's how
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306657/
One interesting point is that their telemarketer's claim to be a non-profit (and therefore exempt from the DoNotCall list) appears to be fradulent: They are not registered with the BBB as a charity, but as a normal business, and it is a little hard to imagine the massive profits available in loan consolidation fitting one of the IRS's stated purposes for a
503(c) corporation.
Link to BBB page: http://tinyurl.com/ze4x3
Link to BBB complaints: http://complaint.bbb.org/
Academic Funding Foundation
www.academicfundingfoundation.net
706 A Greenbank Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.
Original Business Start Date: 07/17/04
Type of Entity: Corporation
Principal: Mary Ognovich, President
Phone Number: 302-892-3344
Fax Number: 302-892-3377
Email Address: info@academicfundingfoundation.net
Web Site Address: www.academicfundingfoundation.net
Membership Status: This company is a member
Date Joined BBB: 05/24/06
Type of Business: Scholarships & Financial Aid
Government Grant Services
Loans
BBB MEMBERSHIP
This company has been a member of this Better Business Bureau since May 2006. This means it supports the Bureau's services to the public and meets our membership standards.
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
This company has agreed to use special complaint handling procedures including arbitration, if necessary to resolve disputes through their participation in the following programs: Membership Identification Program; BBBOnLine.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau.
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| 2006-09-22 15:14 - Mike writes: |
I just got a call from that 800-204-1128 number. This time they called themselves by another name, but it was the same line of business. Definitely a phone farm.
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| 2006-09-23 08:38 - Ron writes: |
Reading all the previous posts, there must be a rush to help us all even though the deadline that everyone was so anxious about has passed over six months ago. I received calls around March '06 and they stopped for awhile. Suddenly they started again with the same voracity as back in March. I have NEVER picked up any calls from this number (800-204-1128) but they continue to call.
They have so much information on most of the people that they are calling probably due to the fact that once you have a student loan, it is probably public information. I highly doubt this company is going through the phone book, as the common theme in this thread seems to be student loans. Most people posting here seem to have them.
Whether you like it or not, the Federal government has all of your information and either is sharing it knowningly (or not), or is willfully giving it to those who ask for it (Acedemic Funding Foundation). It may be public record.
I was kind of sceptical when I applied for a Federal Loan when I was going to school. It was the only way I could afford to go. Of course, I entrusted my personal information with the Department of Education and now these calls may be one of the ramifications of doing so.
The calls will be a minimum of the problems of anyone who has applied for and received a federally funded loan.
We have entrusted or information to the same people who have just lost 1,100+ laptops. They have recently lost a laptop with the social security numbers of 2,000,000 (yes that is million) veterans.
Call me paranoid, but I think the phone calls are going to be the least of the problems caused by federally funding my education.
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| 2006-09-25 16:57 - Justin writes: |
These people have been calling me 2 and 3 times a day, every day of the week...including weekends. I'm definitely filing a complaint with the BBB and with the Do Not Call list.
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| 2006-09-25 23:59 - Dex Sinister writes: |
Just got a letter from the DE BBB with a copy of a letter from AFF's President, Mary Ognovich, explaining her position.
[all gramatical errors are reproduced from the original letter]
======
"We are in receipt of the complaint that was filed against Academic Funding Foundation by xxxx. We have added her name to our Do Not Call list. There can be numerous lists being used, that is why the law allows all telemarketers 30 days to ensure that all references to a number that has been request to be moved to the DNC list. At Academic Funding Foundation, we take these request very seriously attempt to remove all references to that number on a nightly basis.
In addition, Academic Funding Foundation main focus is the awarding of academic assistance grants to desiring students. More information regarding these grants can be found on our website. www.academicfundingfoundation.org.
Sincerely,
Mary Ognovich,
President"
=======
Notwithstanding the numerous gramatical errors, which I have faithfully reproduced, and the fact that there is no letterhead, but only a blank at the top of the page, I would assume that my biggest issue with them, at this moment, is that they LIED TO ME on the phone, representing themselves as knowing full well that my number was on the federal Do Not Call list, but calling anyway because they were"exempt" from the law as a non-profit.
Guess I'll have to follow up with the BBB. }:>=-
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| 2006-09-26 00:52 - Dani writes: |
Well, since my two angry person-out-of-control-screaming-in-the-phone calls to this company and complaints to the FTC, I haven't received anymore calls from these people. If they weren't such vile people and a vile organization, I'd almost feel bad for being so pissed off with them on the phone. But they're devious and a nuisance and I'm not getting anymore calls from them (so far, knock wood) so I don't feel bad at all. It's nice to come home and not see 5 new calls on the caller ID all from the same number and not to get their annoying, unsolicted calls up until 9:00 pm every other night.
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| 2006-09-30 20:39 - Tiffany writes: |
I have been receiving calls from this 1-800-204-1128 for the past month and told them not to call again twice (I've only answered the phone when they've called twice because they are annoying me). I get at least two calls from them a day. I'm planning to file a complaint against them through the Better Business Bureau's website. I would suggest others consider doing the same if their Do Not Call requests are not honored.
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| 2006-10-06 22:58 - NC resident writes: |
I received a call from 800-204-1128 just like everyone lese here. A woman who spoke broken English asked for me. I said "You have the wrong number" and she spelled my first and last name out for some reason. I calmly repeated, "You have the wrong number". She apologized and hung up. So the key is so say, "You have the wrong number." Hopefully that company will go ahead and delete the info they have on me. If they call again, my state's (NC) attorney general's office has a form to fill out to stop the telemarkers. I'm sure your state does as well, juts contact your state's Dept of Justice, Attoney General's office. They are here to protect us.
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| 2006-10-18 21:54 - Very Happy writes: |
No more phone call after the BBB took care of it. Good luck there and please go the BBB, it works.
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| 2006-10-24 16:50 - Shana writes: |
Have been receiving several calls a day for a few weeks from 800-204-1128, caller ID'd, voicemail picked up, I have never answered them. I called them back today and asked to be on the DNC list....we'll see.
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| 2006-10-25 15:05 - Ralph writes: |
My mom has also received many calls every day from this company, trying to get her to devulge information. She is 81 years old! They ask for her grandsons cell phone number, my telephone number, then ask when she is going to start making payments on her student loans. A person named John Peters, gave a return number for me to call 888-850-1746. My mom's caller ID showed the call coming from 800-204-1128, which I Google'd to find this site. Great postings by the way, helpful to clear up some of the mystery. Since my son does have student loans I wanted to be sure it was a scam. I consolidated his loans last summer. One tip off was "Mr. Peters" did not know my name, my sons name, what school he attended, etc. He did offer an interest rate of 1.4% which is not possible.
I called the 800-240-1128 number and used Option 5 as described in an earlier post from March. The person who answered was a pleasent Indian woman. I said I wanted to place my telephone number on their "Do not call" list. She said "I first need your name, address..." at which point I cut her off saying she only needed the number. She then took down the number and said no more calls would be received. We will see what happens. I do belong to an FBI industry organization (InfraGard) and we are meeting next week in Chicago. I will mention this company to the Special Agent who manages the Chicago chapter to see what might be done with these folks.
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| 2006-10-31 11:48 - Sick of Them! writes: |
I'm so glad that I found this website. For the past 3 weeks, we've been getting calls from this number 2-3 times, and usually after 9pm standard time! Today I finally went online to see what this is all about, as we never pick up the phone with this number. They've never left a message, so we figure it can't be important. But it IS annoying!
I called the number (800-204-1128) and tried the Option 5 as listed many times above, but the woman said she needed my address, etc. I refused and politely hung up, hoping to find a more secure answer. I will try the DNC list and the BBB as stated above. I can't believe this is still happening.
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| 2006-10-31 23:08 - John writes: |
I had a call tonight from 1-800-204-1128. She made it sound like I had student loans or co-signed for some, and she could have them consolidated. I've never had a student loan for me or anyone else. Why did they call me? I hope to see if i did have any. Otherwise, maybe someone out there has used my name and info to get a student loan.
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| 2006-11-02 20:23 - Ticked Off writes: |
Have experienced all the same problems as above listed. Data on them:
http://www.nccde.org/parcelview/parceldetails.aspx?ParcelKey=59852
706 GREENBANK RD
WILMINGTON, DE 19808
WIEN DAVID P & JANICE KHOO
Owner Address: 126 HOCKESSIN DRIVE
HOCKESSIN, DE 19707
Note the lowering taxes and $10 sale of property.
Also look at a map (Satelite) site here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=706+A+Greenbank+Road,+Wilmington,+DE+19808
You can find data on a one Janice Khoo here:
http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?archive_id=0&page_id=1571318485&page_url=%2f%2fwww.netrove.com%2fteam_members.htm&page_last_updated=6%2f3%2f2006+10%3a34%3a19+PM&firstName=Janice&lastName=Khoo
Janice Khoo?
Graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences majoring in Statistics and Operations Research. Ms Khoo also holds an MBA in Total Quality Management from Newport University, US. Her past experience include working in stock broking house and financial institutions. Prior to joining Netrove, she was attached to Crest Builder Holdings Bhd as a Corporate Manager
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| 2006-11-10 20:22 - Mary writes: |
I am a victim of this scam and i failed. They called me yesterday with and "unknown ##", some russian thick accented woman. She told me about loan consolidation. I was somewhat interested so i listened since i did need to consolidate me loans. She asked me for the first 2 numbers of my ss#, which seemed harmless. She did seem linked to the Dept of Edu. It was strange how fast and easy she looked up all of my student loans. I was annoyed bc she kept me on the phone. I told her i needed to get off and she said only a few more seconds... she lied. Nevertheless, she got my current address and will send me info. Good thing i told her I need to look at it in paper before i consider. I started getting 2 calls the next day from the same 1-800-204-1128 number and she also gave me the 1-866-850-1746 number to call back with questions. I am soo pissed that i actually gave her the time of day. Sure the rates she offered sounded good, but it seemed a lil too good to be true. I am now pissed they have access to my ssn#, does anyone know if this is bad? They can't get into my credit card accounts or anything can they? Well i signed my number to the dnc list. they gave me the www.optoutprescreen.com addy in the end, i guess to reassure they did option to not get calls, but i still think its bull sh**.
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| 2006-12-19 21:49 - Laura writes: |
I just got a call from them, and they asked for part of my SSN! I was shocked! They had all my other info, but they needed to 'verify' who they were talking to. I was pissed. Anyway, I googled their number and got to this site. I am certain they can't ask for any part of a SSN, so this is fishy to me. DON'T GIVE OUT ANY PART OF YOUR SSN! If they have all the info they call with, they probably have your SSN.
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| 2006-12-29 13:20 - Colleen writes: |
We are getting these calls to our home also. The # we're getting is 800-204-1128. They never leave a message and the one time I picked up no one was on the line. My one son picked it up last night and they asked for my youngest son in college, said something about student loans. My son on the phone just hung up on them. These calls come 2-3 times a day!!!! How can this continue?
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| 2007-01-04 21:34 - David writes: |
Been getting the same calls as everyone else has. I received a loan application from them with a lot of information already filled out out it. I calculated the total cost for me to pay off my loans with what they were going to set me up with for an interest rate and what my total cost would be if i kept the last loan separate from the consolidation (how i have it now) and it was well over $600 cheaper in the long term to keep it how I have it rather than consolidating with those people. Next time they call I will answer the phone and let them know that and tell them I am no longer interested in their company and further phone calls will result in complaints being filed.
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| 2007-01-08 21:41 - Aggie Dad writes: |
It seems so benign to give out the last 2 digits of you SSN, but I hope no one does it, because this gives them access to your loan records with the Fed Student Loan org.
I think we need to ask our congress reps to augment the do not call law to make it a higher penalty to use the guise of a charity to solicit loan business. That is so slimy.
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| 2007-02-23 16:48 - Andy writes: |
This company is ridiculous and needs to stop. We receive numerous calls that I usually just don't answer, but I've answered two by accident by now. This is extremely irritating overall, but is especially irritating when you have a family member who works night shifts. Oh, and almost a year after the March 31 2006 "deadline", the calls appear to have increased in frequency.
We all know that the call centers are overeas (not innately evil). There does appear to be a responsible party in the US, however: AFF's call centers and telemarketing operations are apparently managed by a company called Creative Solutions International, Inc. (a Deleware corporation). See http://www.creative-solution.com/telemarketing_work.htm
I note that AFF's original address at 726 Yorklyn (prior to the move to 706 Greenbank) happens to be the same as the address of Creative Solutions (different suite) which shares the same address as the De Novo Corporation, which is the registered agent for Creative Solutions. This level of interrelated addresses could mean something more than collaboration. From my perspective, joint or related ownership seems feasible (not that this should discourage you from working with another business across the hall).
For possible alternative methods of dealing with AFF, check out:
http://killthecalls.com
AFF and their affiliates have called even after I've reminded them about my Do Not Call List registration and requested not to receive future calls. Their agents are also very pushy about sending you their information packet.
If you want to search the Delaware Secretary of State's site ( https://sos-res.state.de.us/tin/GINameSearch.jsp )for more general company information (or to follow advice obtained from http://killthecalls.com), the following are the entity file numbers:
3829528 - American Funding Foundation
2650637 - Creative Solutions International
2934055 - De Novo Corporation
From my perspective, AFF's non-profit status is dubious. Of course, it gives them some level of assumed or perceived credibility when their agents call. Delaware does recognize their tax exempt status, at least for local Delaware taxes. See: http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=1504368
As another commenter astutely pointed out, I doubt that they would qualify for non-profit status under the Internal Revenue Code.
I would imagine that a true non-profit reliant on donations, etc. would be concerned about its public image and reputation. Their aggressive yet unilateral response to BBB complaints is, in my opinion, indicative of their true nature.
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| 2007-02-27 16:36 - Gennadiy writes: |
has anyone actually done business with them and found out that it was a scam? or is everyone just going on "if it's too good to be true it probably is"?
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| 2007-04-13 00:39 - Steve writes: |
AFF is using the following call center...
http://www.creative-solution.com/telemarketing_work.htm
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| 2007-04-21 19:13 - Craig writes: |
From: Craig [mailto:x]
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 4:13 PM
To: 'info@academicfundingfoundation.org'
Subject: You incessantly call xxx-xxx-xxxx
You incessantly call xxx-xxx-xxxx (my cell phone). I don?t answer mysterious 800 numbers appearing on my caller ID. Please leave me a message on my voicemail with want you want. I will not answer the phone and get a sales pitch. Thank you.
Craig
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| 2007-08-07 01:50 - Kacy writes: |
Glad I found this site. They've been harassing me too. They're so pushy and foreign. I'm really tempted to say that I have a friend who is a Nigerian prince who'll pay off my loan if I give him $2,000. The red flag is that they're from DE. If they're legit and you're a day late with your payment, I suspect they can jack up the interest rate just like a credit card company. Trust no one. I suggest dealing directly with your lender or a reputable financial institution. These guys are clearly shady.
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| 2007-08-23 20:15 - Kacy writes: |
update: I filed a complaint with the BBB and that apparently has done the trick in ending the endless calls. One Indian caller said his name was 'Link Johnson'. It's like they weren't even trying with the fake names.
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| 2007-08-28 14:40 - j writes: |
getting multiple calls all day long also. Just added a complaint to do not call website and also called the 1-800 number back and went off on the lady. Told her to please remove my name off the list and that it is harrassment. She "assured" me that we would not get any more calls after 24 hours. We'll see. I'll report back.
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| 2007-10-04 16:37 - sucker writes: |
Yeah, that's me. One of the two suckers on this thread that sent in their application. Sad part is, they sounded sketchy and annoying to me too, but I agreed to take a look at their materials if they sent them to me. I need to consolidate my loans, and their offer was really good, so I filled out the application and set up a fed-ex pickup. At the last minute my gut told me something didn't feel right so I threw away the packet and called fed-ex to cancel the pick-up. Then I went online and saw only the AFF website, which appeared to be somewhat legit (the whole non-profit thing, the fact that they already had access to so much of my info meant they must have a legitimate access to it, etc., and well, I guess I was desperate and greedy to lower my payments. I fished the application package out of the trash and dropped it into a fed-ex box a few weeks ago. Since then I've heard nothing back. I just phoned them on their 866 number and the guy who answered told me systems were down and could I call back later? He sounded very sketchy so I started doing more of an in-depth google search and found this thread. What can I do to protect myself now? They have an application with all my info and my signature on it!! I want to cancel the whole thing, but I'm afraid the damage is done!
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