Computer Communications Institute

Philadelphia

Cynthia of Philadelphia writes (4/2/01):
When I was 16 years of age, in 1984, I tried to sign up for a vocational school. I decided to try a school called Computer Communications Institute. I had just received my GED, so I figured I would not have a problem getting into this school. When I applied I was told I had to be 18 years of age to sign the documents needed to receive a loan to go to this school, but if my legal guardian signed this documents I could get in.

I decided to ask my grandmother, who was not my legal guardian, but the only relative I had that I could ask. She agreed to sign, and so I was accepted into the school, and my grandmother was listed as a co-signer on the loan. I had only been going to the school for about 6 months when all of the students were called in for an important meeting. We were told at that time that were not going to be able to finish our education there, due to the fact they were un-accredited by the state of Pennsylvania, and they were bankrupt. Well needless to say as a 16 year old kid, with no family to help me, but a grandmother with an alcohol problem, I had no idea what to do, so I did nothing.

Ever since then I have had nothing but trouble with the Student Loan people harrassing me for a loan I did not even get to fully use. My grandmother was not even my legal guardian when she signed those papers, and she is now deceased anyway. This student loan has left my life a living hell, always being harassed, and scarring my credit report for good. I cannot seem to get these people to realize I cannot help what happened with that school, and that I was under age when I signed for that loan. I am now currently disabled, and not able to work, and I even sent them a doctor's form saying as such, so they would leave me alone, but they will not. I think it is illegal for them to come after me, I was under age, and my legal guardian was not even involved in this loan at the time. What can I do?

This has plagued me for years, I've come to accept the fact I probably will not ever own a home, or be able to purchase anything on credit because of it, and that has taken a big toll on my mental state.

Cynthia should send a certified, return-receipt-requested letter stating the facts: a., she was a minor at the time she signed the contract and thus not legally responsible; b., her grandmother is deceased and thus no longer obligated. If the debt appears on any credit records, Cynthia can request that it be removed for the reasons stated. If it is not, she should consult an attorney and pursue a legal action against the credit reporting agencies and anyone else who is perpetuating this matter.

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