The transcript of the video follows below for further review.
If you have an SBA loan default that has been referred to the Department of Treasury for collection, you may have been contacted by a private collection agency (PCA): Pioneer Credit Recovery, CBE Group, Performant or Conserve. A recent case addressed a collection letter sent by Pioneer to an alleged debtor. Pioneer brought a motion to dismiss the case.
The complaint alleged that on April 1, 2016, Pioneer sent a letter ("the Letter") to the plaintiff, Biber and others, which was captioned in bold, capitalized letters, "Administrative Wage Garnishment Proceedings Notice." It further said:
"This may be your last opportunity to make satisfactory payment arrangements on your student loan(s)";
"If these arrangements are not made, we will begin or continue the process of verifying your employment for Administrative Wage Garnishment";
"The United States Congress has enacted a law . . . that allows guarantors . . . to offset the wages of student loan defaulters without filing a lawsuit";
"[A] guaranty agency . . . may garnish the disposable pay of an individual to collect the amount owed by the individual, if he or she is not currently making required repayment . . . [T]he amount deducted for any pay period may not exceed 15 percent of disposable pay";
"This [statutory] provision [*3] overrides all applicable state law, and allows for the garnishment of student loan defaulter's wages";
"Before an administrative order is issued, defaulters are given notice and an opportunity for a hearing as part of this federal wage offset program";
"After the completion of this administrative offset process, your employer may be ordered to deduct 15% of your disposable income before you are paid. If your employer does not comply with this order, a lawsuit may be filed against your employer";
"Because the use of this federal wage offset law could reduce your take-home pay substantially, we are providing you with the chance to establish a satisfactory payment arrangement so you can voluntarily satisfy your obligation on more reasonable terms. We are hoping we can reach a satisfactory agreement before we proceed with further action.”
The Court ruled that Biber's claim that Pioneer "falsely represent[ed] that [defendant] was going to perform an Administrative Wage Garnishment" stated a claim upon which relief may be granted. The Court applied the "least sophisticated consumer" lens, the Letter plausibly comprised a materially false, deceptive, or misleading representation that could "reasonably be read to have to or more meanings, one of which is inaccurate." The Court further noted that Biber alleged sufficient facts to move his claim--that the Letter misrepresented that wage garnishment proceedings were imminent--from possible to plausible. Moreover, the complaint plausibly alleged that misrepresentation could have "affect[ed] [the] consumer's ability to make intelligent decisions with respect to the alleged debt."
If you have been contacted by a PCA like Pioneer Credit Recovery, regarding a SBA loan default, contact Protect Law Group today online or at 888-756-9969 for a FREE initial consultation.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Clients personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan balance of over $300,000. Clients also pledged their homes as additional collateral. SBA OIC accepted $87,000 with the full lien release against the home.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $350,000. The small business failed but because of the personal guarantee liability, the client continued to pay the monthly principal & interest out-of-pocket draining his savings. The client hired a local attorney but quickly realized that he was not familiar with SBA-backed loans or their standard operating procedures. Our firm was subsequently hired after the client received the SBA's official 60-day notice. After back-and-forth negotiations, we were able to convince the SBA to reinstate the loan, retract the acceleration of the outstanding balance, modify the original terms, and approve a structured workout reducing the interest rate from 7.75% to 0% and extending the maturity date for a longer period to make the monthly payments affordable. In conclusion, not only we were able to help the client avoid litigation and bankruptcy, but our SBA lawyers also saved him approximately $227,945 over the term of the workout.
Client’s small business obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. He and his wife signed personal guarantees and pledged their home as collateral. The SBA loan went into default, the term or maturity date was accelerated and demand for payment of the entire amount claimed was made. The SBA lender’s note gave it the right to adjust the default interest rate from 7.25% to 18% per annum. The business filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy but was dismissed after 3 years due to its inability to continue with payments under the plan. Clients wanted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which would have been a mistake as their home had significant equity to repay the SBA loan balance in full as the Trustee would likely seize and sell the home to repay the secured and unsecured creditors. However, the SBA lender opted to pursue the SBA 7(a) Guaranty and subsequently assigned the loan and the right to enforce collection to the SBA. Clients then received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and hired the Firm to respond to it and negotiate on their behalf. Clients disputed the SBA’s alleged balance of $148,000, as several payments made to the SBA lender during the Chapter 11 reorganization were not accounted for. To challenge the SBA’s claimed debt balance, the Firm Attorneys initiated expedited discovery to obtain government records. SBA records disclosed the true amount owed was about $97,000. Moreover, because the Clients’ home had significant equity, they were not eligible for an Offer in Compromise or an immediate Release of Lien for Consideration, despite being incorrectly advised by non-attorney consulting companies that they were. Instead, our Firm Attorneys recommended a Workout of $97,000 spread over a lengthy term and a waiver of the applicable interest rate making the monthly payment affordable. After back and forth negotiations, SBA approved the Workout proposal, thereby saving the home from imminent foreclosure and reducing the Clients' liability by nearly $81,000 in incorrect principal balance, accrued interest, and statutory collection fees.
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