© AFP
Being behind on student loan payments in Texas could cost you more than your credit score. The US Marshals Service in Houston is arresting people who aren't paying their federal student debt.
Paul Aker said that seven deputy US Marshals showed up at his Houston home in combat gear."I was wondering, why are you here. I am home, I haven't done anything," he
told Fox 26, adding that he didn't receive any notice about a $1,500 student loan he received in 1987. He claims he was taken to federal court, where he signed a payment plan for the debt.
"It was totally mind-boggling," Aker said.
This is far from an isolated incident, a source told the station. It isn't the first time Marshals have served someone for being behind on loans, and they are planning to serve between 1,200 and 1,500 other people who have student debt.Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) told Fox 26 that it's worrisome that private debt collectors are able to use US Marshals as muscle to retrieve payments for loans.
"There's bound to be a better way to collect on a student loan debt that is so old," Green said.
Comment: This seems to be par for the course in prisons where inmates are exploited and abused financially, through their labor and even physically. Hopefully, the victims will obtain justice.