Pentagon's Debt Collectors Accused of Ripping Off Soldiers

ABC News ^ | 04 Apr 2008 | JOSEPH RHEE

[strider44]

Is your son an officer? Officers always have to buy their own uniforms. But even so, when my unit deployed to Iraq we received a ton of equipment (everything from body armor, balistic eye-wear, uniforms, etc. - all issued)I should know, I was the battalion S4 (supply and logistic officer). None of my soldiers had to buy a thing. We all have bags and bags of extra uniforms and equipment we will probably never use.

In my experience (I’m now a Major)troops like to buy stuff from US Cav or other mail order sites because it looks cool. They want extra goodies to wear. Some units let you get away with wearing non-issue equipment. But they certainly won’t buy it for you.

[big'ol_freeper]

You said: At the same time I had to give her that letter, I was also able to give her a check collected by my other soldiers that more than settled the account.

Hooah. That’s what it’s all about...taking care of our (your) own... and esprit-de-corps. NCO’s are what make our military so much different (and better) than any other.

Thank you for doing what you do and taking care of our sons and daughters.

[vaudine]

I don't. I was just making a point about many of the beurocracy. I don't happen to think a "one size fits all" applies and sometimes beurocrats apply the rules across the board and are unnecessarily harsh when they could negotiate a settlement.

vaudine

[Gaffer]

Do you think the rates are any worse than what SEARS (25%)or other comparable card company charges?

When I went in 1968, my very first paycheck was exactly $26 (a twenty, a five, and a one). They promptly marched our collective a$$es over to a small building where four barbers proceeded to lower our ears, each for a dollar. That was a 4% paycheck cost for just a haircut. The entire time I was in (8 years, 7 overseas) I never even once got the opportunity to charge $hit. I couldn’t borrow money, I couldn’t save money, and I couldn’t even rent a car at 25 years old, good driving record and an NCO. Until I see something like 50-100% interest rates, I’m going to chalk this up to a learning experience for them.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Interesting.

[bvw]

Thanks for your informative post! An icebreaker.

[SLB]

I never cared much for the Star card, but sort of figure that if someone owes the money they aught to pay it.

[bvw]

The Spartans eventually lost, you know. Totally gone today. We only hear about the free spartans, the citizens. What you forget as do most is that Sparta was built on a massive slave base. Most under Sparta were slaves.

And your tough-love proposal is deadly -- that kind of tough love is abuse. It's like the parents who loot the trust fund of a Jackie Coogan.

[tarawa]

I was USN from 90-96, and while I did have to go buy uniform items from time to time, when certain articles were worn out or no longer presentable, honestly most of the stuff I bought at the exchange was electronics and junk.

[Gaffer]

It is not abuse to expect citizens (they are you know, and free to boot) to pay their bills. Calling me an 'abuser' doesn't change the fact that goods/services were obtained with the credit. Would you have us write off these bills, cut the interest rates down to nothing, or just charge them 10 cents on the dollar like most other bankruptcies in the country?

In effect, but not following through on the terms, you're saying that these people are irresponsible and undisciplined, something I think some would feel wholly incorrect.

[bvw]

It is abuse to MASS offer a $20,000 revolving line of credit to kids making $18K a year, all they see is the $20K easy.

And it is costly to the rest of use. We pay to establish and keep the courts, and to bail out the merchant bankers, and in many other direct ways. The indirect costs however may dwarf them all -- the cost of encouraging discouragement and bitterness at a young age.

[Vio24]

I agree, but I suspect that before any garnishing on income was done a request was made for an explanantion of the charges made. If they weren't legitimate then a request for voluntary repayment was made and if that failed then the funds were taken from benefits due..

[Gaffer]

...It is abuse to MASS offer a $20,000 revolving line of credit to kids making $18K a year, all they see is the $20K easy....

So it's not abuse then for these credit card companies that offer the same LOCs to college 'kids' making $0K a year? Look, we don't even know what rates of interest we're talking about here. Because these card holders are military makes it different? You're right the costs involved in cleaning these messes up affect us all, but why 'suspend' action and call it 'evil abuse' just because the users happen to be military. Excess usury is undesirable in any form for any borrower, but I'd venture to say you'll see a title or payday loan company on the street charging more than the interest etc. these soldiers are getting from the exchange credit card vendor (who also probably happens to be the lowest contract bidder for the service).....