Erudio Student Loans Continued part 3

[erudioed]

I dont know if this is the right way to do it and i apologise if it isn't but this is the continuation of www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/a2057131-Erudio-Student-Loans-Continued

Kicking off my 2015 deferment journey ...

My deferment letter from last year said I would receive the deferment application pack for 2015 approx 8 weeks beofre my deferment expired.

That 8 week period began about three weeks ago and as yet have had nothing from Erudio.

Went on their website and got the email address to request a pack.

Emailed them my name, address and loan account number.

Received an email back a few days later with the form as an electronic attachment and the following instructions:

If you want the form sent to you by post, please reply with your date of birth for DPA (Data Protection Act) purposes!!!

No skin off my nose and I've done it BUT it really doesn't bode well that Erudio, who I supplied with my name, address, loan account number and email address replied to me by the same email saying they couldn't send me a deferment pack without my date of birth because of the Data Protection Act.

I hope to God it's not all downhill from here because that level of understanding and application of legislation and that level of basic request processing is really, really staggering.

And that's just requesting the form.... hold on to your hats... 2015 looks like being as chaotic as 2014.

Still not had my DAF by post - will chase Erudio - are other people getting their forms yet?

I had two letters. One saying they'd calculated my repayments at £40 more per month than they should be and they'd taken the extra money (nothing about repayments) just that they'd taken it and got it wrong the second said I was in deferment so the last letter didn't apply and I'd be paying the lower rate when I exit deferment

I've not had my deferment form. I won't be emailing them personal details (email isn't secure and I don't have the option for making it secure) and I'm due the form, they also said in complaint response they would get me help with filling the form (which I doubt very very much).

I really don't need Erudio and all their shit right now at all

Ive found out that most people wont be getting the new DAF until 5 weeks before the deadline. They need at least 2-3 weeks to process them, so many will be having direct debits stolen. This is deliberate and underhand even for them, so do complain to the same places as last year and pester as many as possible related to this issue to let them know. If we go quiet, after all that energy sapping crap complaining everywhere last year, Erudio will just keep pushing the envelope, and very soon, more of us will be forced into paying up when we should be allowed to defer in relative peace. Erudio is forcing us to engage with them! Never did i think the forms being mailed out so late would be an issue, but here it is in year 2, Erudio have decided to give us the least amount of time available to defer.

I phoned them twice and emailed once and eventually received a digital copy and one in the mail. Completed the form 'in my own fashion :)' and sent it off today. My deferment expires on 14/5 so I'm giving them more than enough time.

Heres a link to the new DAF to download posted on the MSE site if you dont want to wait until April for them to arrive in the post, or have to contact them and give them email info. How to fill it out is on erudio's website, as are the full T&Cs if you want to see what your signature is signing for/over. It will be better to get them in early because Arrow Global has decided they only want most of us to have 5 weeks before the deadline to complete the entire deferment process. And dont forget to lodge an official complaint if you ring them if you want them to go back to sending the forms out 8 weeks in advance of the deferment deadline. Nothing will change unless hundreds complain, so every one helps, and we are i believe in it together: www.dropbox.com/s/a375v9uoleagf02/Erudio%20New%20DAF.pdf?dl=0

Got my DAF now and will probably complete and send back next week.

The MoneySavingExpert thread seems to have more input from people so will probably focus my attention there from now on, although I'm appreciative of all the useful info people have posted here:

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?s=8d855166e62384c7ef349648f75a266c&t=4923210&page=192

I've just spent a couple of hours filling out my DAF and gathering/scanning/printing my evidence. All my income is state benefits so I'm not too worried about them questioning my eligibility, I'm well under the threshold. I just hope they process it in enough time before my deferment runs out.

They've lowered the deferment threshold now. Great.

It was announced quite a while ago that they would lower the threshold, it's as a result of the drop in average earnings from 2008 onward. As income is reportedly on the rise again the threshold should start to increase again from next year.

As far as their deferment turnaround time. I posted my form recorded delivery and they received it and processed it in about 4 days, sent Tuesday and they confirmed on Saturday that my deferment had been granted, I requested it in writing and was told the letter was in the post. This is the same as last year so far except last year they took about 2 weeks to confirm receipt and process. Still you get so much misinformation from them I won't be happy until the letter is in my hands and as they don't have my bank details they can't withdraw a DD in error.

So we'll see if a letter arrives. FYI I completed the form, didn't complete DD mandate and completely removed the last part of the form which referred to agreeing to the Ts and Cs on their FPN. I didn't just blank this out, I completely removed it and inserted my own statement, also completely removed one of the conditions directly above the signature box, the last one think it is labelled e).

I also attached a covering letter along the lines of the ones we used last year about not accepting any changes to original terms yardda yadda.

And lo it has come full circle and here I am with a fresh DAF waiting for my scribble...

www.erudiostudentloans.co.uk/news/default.aspx?itemid=MbTWcl3j

"If you are already in deferment, you will automatically receive a new Deferment Application Form (DAF) pack eight weeks before your current deferment period ends. This pack includes a letter highlighting your upcoming deferment date, a new DAF and a new How to Guide to help you complete the DAF."

My DAF letter is dated 24th March 2015. My deferment ends May 19th, 8 weeks after the 24th March.

My DAF and covering letter arrived today, 30th March. That clearly isn't me receiving it 8 weeks before the deferment ends. Even before the process begins, the Erudio words come with the aroma of tedium and struggle and bullshit.

The envelope as printed was Royal Mail 2nd class. Letter printed Tuesday, received the following Monday? Stupendous.

Let the shit train ride again.

I got my DAF today as well, exactly the same situation as you inbreak in terms of dates.

However, when I opened my envelope several loose pieces of paper fell out - so aren't we getting a form just a collection of loose pieces of paper (two of which are copies of each other)? Their so called changes haven't happened either - they're still demanding a DD and the bits of paper include stuff about CRAs. The letter, which is obviously missing a page, makes no sense.

and

Has everyone else had the same bits of paper I have? How many bits of paper should I have? Has anyone actually got a proper form from them?

@Becca - sounds like mine - although no duplicates! Mine included - covering letter, booklet and 6 page form (3 x double sided loose sheets) each numbered at the bottom - page 1 of 6, 2 of 6 etc.

Also each page has my account reference number AND a sequential print run number at the top.

I've had 2 packs from Erudio and the sequential print run numbers are different in each - not sure why they are there....

@IchibodT - well done! That's so fast! Hope you get your deferment letter ok.

I'm under threshold and aimimg to have form with Erudio this week

Yyyuuu thanks for the confirmation.

I received my form from Erudio last Saturday.

I sent the form, and evidence, by signed for 1st class on Tuesday.

The online tracking still says it is in the system, and the last update was received at POL (local post office).

I am now inreasingly worried (and shouting at my poor 4yr old).

The last time I posted from that PO the letter got 'lost' (not sent by signed for though).

I sent it from there, as there is never a queue (unlike the one in town), and I (stupidly) assumed that signed for would be relatively safe.

I've tweeted Royal Mail, but have no way of knowing whether Erudio will receive the form or not.

Sorry but Signed for unfortuantely just means a signature when delivered it doesn't make sending it safer or mean it will get there the next day The only one that does that is special delivery (I appreciate that doesn't help you but might help others).

Hopefully it will clear the system soon though because of easter it probably won't move again now until Tuesday as they are closed (or at least there's no post where I live until Tuesday now).

If they do lose it they will probably just send you a book of stamps - that's what happened last time I used signed for and it got lost.

Thanks Becca. Not brilliant... special delivery was over £6, so guess I paid my money and took the chance.

I've no idea what to do if lost, when it happened with SLC they emailed me a form, which I printed, filled in and signed, scanned and sent back.

I thought I was being organised and prudent by sending it promptly, now it looks like it will be late (deferment ends 14/5).

I know it's much more and totally understand why you did it! Special delivery is very very expensive.

I'm not sure how long Royal Mail consider lost mail to be lost is your problem e.g. It might be measured in weeks not days. If you could get something from them stating it was lost you could then maybe get another form, but of course that then means all the problems of resending it again. I don't know if they will just send you another form without that -you would also have a good case for them extending the time needed to 'apply' as it wasn't your fault it got lost.

Easy for me to say I know but leave it now until next week and track again and see where it is considered to be and then contact Royal Mail and see how long it needs to be lost before they consider it lost (hope that makes sense!) and go from there.

The irony of it, Royal Mail and our student loans both sold by this government during these last 2 years. One has seen so many price increases, it makes inflation during the Weimar Republic look ordinary. And the other has seen a bunch of vultures harassing people who's only mistake was taking out a loan to undertake their education (over 15 years ago).

I think it's amazing a company can charge for a service then not guarantee it will be provided. 1st and 2nd class Mail is not guaranteed to be delivered! As for Erudio I always scan what I'm about to send them, last year I submitted my application by post and email, this year just post, next day special delivery.

And on that topic I received my deferral confirmation yesterday. So application made last Tuesday, processed, accepted and confirmation received in 10 days. Better than last year.

I think though your circumstances will dictate how they deal with you. I've still got 10 years until my loan can be written off, they probably make my life easy ATM as they think they have plenty time to find ways of making me pay and/or I still have another 10 years during which my income may rise above the threshold, it ain't that far of it now. Ah well, another year done, time to sit back and monitor the credit file.

SNAP!!!

@lithiumfear

*I sent the form, and evidence, by signed for 1st class on Tuesday.

The online tracking still says it is in the system, and the last update was received at POL (local post office).*

How weird!!! I sent my form too by 'signed for first class' - £1.73 - should arrive next working day (not guaranteed) and with a scan of the signature online - this worked fine last year.

However posted mine on Tuesday - should have been with Erudio on Wednesday but when I check online Royal Mail say it is still in system - last update received at POL.

I was going to post about this anyway and then saw your post and thought I wonder if Erudio are not bothering to 'sign for' on the Royal Mail PDA devices that postmen carry.

This would mean of course that Royal Mail are stiffing their customers by allowing Erudio to take the mail without signing for each individual letter - but it did occur to me that if Erudio get say at least 500 pieces of mail per day - each one requiring an individual signature - they may have come to some 'arrangement' with Royal Mail.

Seems possible but very wrong as Royal Mail would not be fulfilling their obligations to us by not obtaining the signature at the point of delivery.

Anybody know a postman who might know if Royal Mail do bulk arrangements for businesses like this?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Anyone get signature proof?

My form was signed for by somebody, it's on the PO website but the signature is more of a scrawl than anything.

@lithiumfear

As I used a very small local post office - and the online tracker still said 'received at POL' after 2 days, I went round with my receipt to check they hadn't dropped it on the floor somewhere!!!

They hadn't!

But they said that the 'signed for' stuff goes in a special bag and generally will arrive at the address for the next working day. However, as Post Office and Royal Mail are different businesses, Post Office can't track the item once it is in Royal Mail's care.

The nice woman said the most likely reason for not a signature not appearing online was that the recipient was not in and had been left a card to collect the post (unlikely with Erudio) OR is it???

With so much 'Signed For' post they can't just have a receptionist standing their with the post man and his barcode checker all morning.

They must have devised a system which enables them to 'Sign' in bulk - surely?

Cheers IchibodT - glad you got your deferment - nice relaxing weekend for you!!!

You managed to get yours in early - no?

I thought I was fast - within a couple of days of getting the forms - but I have a feeling I've been put in a bag with hundreds of others - all awaiting signature....

perhaps it's just wishful thinking on my part

I was phoning and emailing from the beginning of February. I wasn't willing to wait even for 8 weeks, they eventually sent out one of the new forms as soon as they were available. They emailed and posted one out. I was in touch 2 or 3 times a week from the 2nd week of Feb. I refused to accept their 8 week malarkey I just kept at it till the new forms were ready.