The calls started last week. Now, Trellis Company contacts you five, seven, sometimes ten times a day. They’ve called your workplace, left threatening voicemails about lawsuits, and somehow tracked down your relatives.
The stress is affecting your sleep, your work, and your relationships. If you’re dealing with Trellis Company phone harassment, you need to understand something crucial: federal law doesn’t just discourage this behavior. It prohibits it, and violations can cost them thousands of dollars that go directly to you.
Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for immediate help. Their consumer protection attorneys specialize in cases where consumers are harassed by Trellis Company and can guide you through stopping harassment and recovering compensation.
What You’re Really Dealing With: Trellis Company Explained
Trellis Company operates as a student loan servicer, but they’re different from traditional debt collectors in important ways. They service both federal and private student loans, which means the rules governing their behavior can vary depending on which type of loan they’re collecting. Understanding this distinction matters because it affects your rights and legal options.
When Trellis Company debt collection appears in your life, it’s typically because you’ve fallen behind on student loan payments or your loans have defaulted. Unlike credit card debt or medical bills, student loans don’t disappear after a certain number of years. Federal student loans have no statute of limitations, and the government can garnish wages, tax refunds, and even Social Security without suing first. But even with these powerful tools, Trellis Company must still follow strict federal consumer protection laws.
Why their tactics often feel aggressive:
Student loan debt is unique. The consequences of default are severe, giving servicers leverage they use aggressively. Trellis Company knows that threats about wage garnishment, tax refund seizure, and credit damage carry real weight with student loan borrowers. This knowledge sometimes leads to tactics that may cross legal boundaries.
Common situations involving Trellis Company:
- Federal student loans in default after 270 days of non-payment
- Private student loans past due or in collections
- Loans transferred from other servicers
- Payment plan failures or income-driven repayment issues
- Loans coming out of forbearance or deferment
- Co-signed loans where primary borrowers defaulted
Many borrowers report that Trellis Company phone harassment escalated dramatically after they missed just one or two payments. Call volume increases, tone becomes more aggressive, and threats about consequences become more frequent. This pressure campaign is designed to make you pay immediately, but it sometimes violates your federal rights.
When Student Loan Collection Becomes Illegal Harassment
Federal law establishes clear boundaries for all debt collectors, including student loan servicers. Recognizing violations is your first step toward taking action to stop Trellis Company’s debt collection harassment.
Timing Violations That Matter
Calls before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your local time zone violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Period. Trellis Company cannot claim they didn’t know your time zone or that student loan collection is “different.” These hours are absolute boundaries, and violations are straightforward to prove with phone records.
If your phone rings at 7:45 AM with Trellis Company waking you up, or at 9:30 PM disrupting your evening, document it immediately. Each call outside these hours is a potential violation worth up to $1,000 in statutory damages.
The Volume Problem
Receiving 8, 12, or 18 calls daily goes beyond reasonable collection efforts. Courts consistently find that excessive calling with apparent intent to annoy constitutes harassment under the FDCPA. When Trellis Company calls repeatedly throughout the day, especially from different numbers to bypass your blocking, these patterns demonstrate intentional harassment rather than legitimate servicing.
Workplace Contact That Crosses Lines
They can call your workplace initially to discuss your account or locate you. But once you inform them that your employer prohibits personal calls or that receiving them at work is inconvenient, they must stop workplace contact immediately. Many Trellis Company debt collector complaints involve continued workplace calls despite explicit objections, creating embarrassment and potentially risking employment.
Threats That May Violate Federal Law
Even for student loans with powerful collection tools, Trellis Company cannot:
Threaten immediate actions they can’t take. While wage garnishment is possible for defaulted federal loans, it requires administrative procedures and advance notice. Claiming garnishment starts “tomorrow” or “this week” without following proper process may violate the FDCPA.
Misrepresent legal consequences. Falsely claiming you’ll face criminal charges, your professional license will be revoked immediately, or your family members will become liable for your debt all potentially violate federal law.
Use abusive or profane language. Yelling, cursing, or making personal insults crosses into harassment territory regardless of how much you owe or how long you’ve been in default.
Threaten to contact your employer to embarrass you. While they can verify employment in some circumstances, threatening to call your boss to shame you into paying is illegal.
Falsely claim to be attorneys or government officials. Misrepresenting their identity, authority, or affiliation violates the FDCPA.
Privacy Violations You Should Know
Trellis Company cannot discuss your student loan debt with:
- Family members (beyond asking for your contact information)
- Roommates or household members
- Neighbors or friends
- Coworkers or supervisors (except in very limited circumstances)
- Co-signers (in some situations, depending on loan type)
Leaving detailed voicemails about your defaulted loans where others might hear, telling parents about your debt even if they co-signed, or discussing payment amounts with anyone except you potentially violates federal privacy protections.
Ignoring Your Written Cease Demand
Once you send a cease and desist letter via certified mail, Trellis Company can only contact you to confirm receipt or notify you of specific legal action. Any other contact becomes an FDCPA violation. Important note: ceasing communication doesn’t stop the debt, interest, or collection actions like garnishment. It only stops the calls and letters.
Federal Laws That Shield You
Understanding these laws transforms you from a victim into someone with legal power.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act applies to student loan servicers when they’re collecting on defaulted loans. This is crucial: when your loans are in default and they’re actively collecting, they must follow FDCPA rules.
If Trellis Company violates the FDCPA, you may recover:
- Up to $1,000 in statutory damages per lawsuit without proving actual harm
- Additional compensation for emotional distress, anxiety, depression, lost wages
- Medical expenses if harassment caused stress requiring treatment
- Attorney fees and court costs paid by them, not you
That fee-shifting provision is powerful. Because they pay your attorney fees when you win, you can afford experienced representation without worrying about mounting legal bills.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act regulates automated calling systems and robocalls. If Trellis Company uses autodialers or prerecorded messages to contact your cell phone without your prior written consent, they may violate federal law.
Each illegal robocall can result in $500 to $1,500 in damages. If you’ve received 70 automated calls without consent, that’s potentially $35,000 to $105,000 in recovery. For student loan borrowers dealing with persistent robocalling, TCPA claims can be particularly valuable.
Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act ensures accuracy in credit reporting. When Trellis Company reports false information to credit bureaus (wrong payment status, incorrect loan balances, loans that aren’t yours, inaccurate default dates), they may violate this law.
Student loan credit reporting errors can devastate your financial life, affecting mortgage applications, rental opportunities, car loans, and employment background checks. The FCRA provides legal recourse when inaccurate reporting causes these consequences.
How to Stop Trellis Company Debt Collection Calls
Ready to fight back? Here’s your strategic action plan for how to stop Trellis Company debt collection calls.
Step 1: Document Everything Like Your Financial Future Depends On It
Evidence is the foundation of any legal action to stop debt harassment from Trellis Company. Start creating a detailed record immediately.
Track these details meticulously:
- Exact date and time of every call (down to the minute)
- Phone numbers Trellis Company uses (they may call from multiple numbers)
- Call duration as shown on your phone log
- Representative names and employee numbers if they provide them
- Detailed summary of what was said, especially threats or false statements
- Your emotional state after each call (anxiety, fear, anger, humiliation)
- Any witnesses who heard the calls or saw their effects on you
Preserve every piece of evidence:
- Voicemails (back them up to email or cloud storage immediately)
- Text messages (screenshot with timestamps and numbers clearly visible)
- Letters and envelopes (postmarks prove timing and frequency)
- Online portal communications and screenshots
- Documentation of workplace calls with dates, times, and witnesses
- Notes about third-party contacts if they discussed your loans with others
This evidence becomes invaluable if you decide to sue Trellis Company for harassment or pursue compensation for violations.
Step 2: Understand Your Repayment Options
While stopping harassment is important, understanding your options for managing the underlying student loan debt prevents future issues.
Federal student loan options:
- Income-Driven Repayment Plans (payments as low as $0 based on income)
- Loan Rehabilitation (nine affordable payments over 10 months to exit default)
- Loan Consolidation (can help with default status)
- Deferment or Forbearance (temporary payment pause if you qualify)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (for qualifying employment)
- Total and Permanent Disability Discharge (if applicable)
Private student loan options:
- Refinancing with different lenders
- Settlement negotiations
- Hardship programs (if available)
- Bankruptcy in limited circumstances
Trellis Company must provide accurate information about these options. Failing to do so while aggressively collecting may strengthen your harassment case.
Step 3: Send a Cease and Desist Letter
The FDCPA gives you the power to demand they stop contacting you, though this won’t stop collection actions.
Your letter should clearly state:
“Under 15 U.S.C. § 1692c(c), I direct Trellis Company to cease all communication with me regarding my student loan account(s). This includes all phone calls, text messages, emails, and letters. Future communication must be limited to: (1) confirming receipt of this letter; or (2) notifying me of specific legal action you are taking.”
Critical steps:
- Send via certified mail with return receipt requested
- Keep copies of your letter and all mailing documentation
- Document the date they receive it (this starts the clock on violations)
- Save the signed return receipt as proof
After receipt, any other contact may be an automatic FDCPA violation and strong evidence for legal action.
Step 4: Create Official Records
File a complaint against Trellis Company with multiple agencies to create official documentation.
Report Trellis Company to CFPB at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau specifically tracks student loan servicer complaints and has taken enforcement actions against servicers for violations.
Include comprehensive details:
- Specific dates and times of violations
- Names of representatives
- Exact quotes of threats or false statements
- How harassment has affected your work, relationships, mental health
- Any documentation you have (call logs, voicemails, letters)
Also file with:
- Federal Student Aid Ombudsman at studentaid.gov/feedback-ombudsman
- Your state Attorney General’s consumer protection division
- Better Business Bureau
These complaints create valuable official records but typically don’t result in direct compensation. For monetary recovery, you need legal action.
Step 5: Get Legal Help Against Trellis Company Harassment
This is the most effective step. Consumer protection attorneys specializing in student loan harassment know exactly how to handle servicers like Trellis Company.
The Wood Law LLC focuses exclusively on consumer rights. Their specialization means deep expertise in FDCPA, TCPA, and FCRA laws as they apply to student loan servicers.
When you have representation:
Harassment often stops within 48 to 72 hours. Once Trellis Company receives an attorney letter, they understand they’re being professionally monitored and documented. Most significantly reduce or eliminate contact immediately.
Attorneys identify violations you’d never spot. What seems like aggressive servicing might be multiple federal violations to an experienced attorney reviewing your documentation.
You never speak with Trellis Company again. Your attorney handles all communication while you focus on managing your student loans strategically.
Zero upfront costs. They work on contingency. You pay nothing unless you win. When you win, Trellis Company typically pays your attorney fees separately from your damages.
Maximum compensation. Experienced attorneys identify every violation and pursue all available claims under federal and state law.
Discover their proven client-centered approach and what makes them different from other firms.
Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Can You Sue Trellis Company for Harassment?
Absolutely. If Trellis Company potentially violated federal consumer protection laws, you can sue Trellis Company for harassment and recover substantial compensation. Many student loan borrowers don’t realize they have this right.
Critical point: You can sue for harassment violations even if you legitimately owe the student loans and haven’t made a payment in months. Your right to lawful treatment during collection exists independently of the debt’s validity or your payment history.
Potential Compensation Available
FDCPA Statutory Damages: Up to $1,000 per lawsuit without proving any actual harm. This compensation exists simply because the violation occurred, even if you can’t quantify your damages precisely.
Actual Damages for Proven Harm:
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression from constant harassment
- Panic attacks or sleep disruption
- Lost wages if harassment caused you to miss work or lose employment
- Medical expenses for stress-related treatment
- Therapy or counseling costs
- Damaged relationships with family or friends
- Other quantifiable harm directly caused by violations
TCPA Damages: $500 to $1,500 per illegal robocall to your cell phone. If Trellis Company hit you with 80 automated calls without consent, that’s $40,000 to $120,000 in potential recovery. For borrowers dealing with persistent robocalling, these damages add up quickly.
FCRA Damages if they reported false information:
- Actual damages for credit score harm and resulting consequences
- Denied mortgage, auto loan, or credit card applications
- Lost rental opportunities
- Higher interest rates on approved credit
- Lost job opportunities due to credit checks
- Statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 per violation for willful misconduct
- Punitive damages for particularly egregious conduct
Attorney Fees Paid Separately: Trellis Company pays your attorney fees apart from your damages when you win. You keep your full compensation, making it financially viable to hold them accountable.
Building Your Case
To successfully sue, you generally need to establish:
- Trellis Company contacted you to collect a student loan debt
- They’re subject to the FDCPA when collecting defaulted loans (they are)
- They violated specific FDCPA, TCPA, or FCRA provisions
- You suffered harm (not required for FDCPA statutory damages)
Strong evidence includes phone records showing patterns and frequency, saved voicemails containing violations, text messages, letters making false claims, witness statements from people who heard their calls or saw effects, credit reports showing errors, and medical records if you sought treatment for harassment-related stress.
Common Patterns in Trellis Company Debt Collector Complaints
Understanding typical violations helps you recognize them in your experience.
The Daily Bombardment Campaign
Many borrowers report 10, 15, even 20 calls daily from Trellis Company. This excessive volume may demonstrate intent to harass rather than legitimate attempts to discuss repayment options or provide customer service.
Misleading Information About Options
Some Trellis Company debt collector complaints involve representatives providing false or incomplete information about income-driven repayment plans, rehabilitation programs, or consolidation options. Misrepresenting available solutions or their requirements may violate the FDCPA’s prohibition against false statements.
Threatening Immediate Garnishment
While wage garnishment is possible for defaulted federal student loans, it requires administrative procedures including advance written notice and hearing opportunities. Threats that garnishment will start “immediately” or “this week” without following proper administrative process may constitute false threats violating the FDCPA.
Workplace Harassment Campaigns
Complaints frequently describe continued workplace calls despite explicit objections. Some borrowers report that Trellis Company called their supervisors, HR departments, or colleagues, creating employment problems and extreme embarrassment.
Robocall Violations
Many Trellis Company debt collector complaints involve receiving numerous automated or prerecorded calls to cell phones. If you didn’t provide written consent for these calls (and simply having a cell phone on file doesn’t count as consent), each automated call may be a TCPA violation worth $500 to $1,500.
Credit Reporting Errors
Borrowers report incorrect payment histories, wrong loan balances, loans showing as in default when they’re actually in forbearance or income-driven repayment, duplicate loan listings, and other credit reporting errors that damaged their credit scores and affected their financial lives.
Ignoring Cease Requests
Some consumers report that Trellis Company continued calling even after receiving properly sent cease and desist letters via certified mail. This is often straightforward to prove with certified mail receipts showing delivery and phone records showing subsequent calls.
Third-Party Disclosures
Complaints mention Trellis Company discussing loan details with family members, roommates, or others beyond simply asking for borrower contact information. These privacy violations may strengthen harassment claims.
Protecting Your Financial Future
While addressing harassment, take steps to protect your broader financial health and understand your student loan rights.
Monitor Your Credit Reports
Get free reports at www.annualcreditreport.com from all three bureaus.
Check for:
- Trellis Company loan listings
- Incorrect payment status or history
- Wrong loan balances or amounts
- Duplicate listings of the same loans
- Loans showing in default incorrectly
- Information older than seven years (for most items)
Dispute Credit Report Errors
Find inaccuracies? Dispute them in writing with both the credit bureaus and Trellis Company. Send disputes via certified mail with specific details about the errors.
Credit bureaus must investigate within 30 days. Failure to investigate properly or correct clear errors may provide grounds for an FCRA lawsuit.
Understand Student Loan Protections
Federal student loans come with unique rights:
- Income-driven repayment plans can lower payments to $0
- Loan forgiveness programs for public service workers, teachers, and others
- Disability discharge if you become totally and permanently disabled
- Death discharge
- Closed school discharge if your school closed
- Borrower defense to repayment for school misconduct
Trellis Company must inform you about these options. Failing to provide accurate information while aggressively collecting may strengthen your harassment case.
Keep Organized Records
Maintain files with:
- All correspondence from Trellis Company
- Payment records and bank statements
- Income documentation for repayment plans
- Notes from phone calls (dates, times, representative names, what was discussed)
- Copies of applications for deferment, forbearance, or income-driven plans
- Documentation of any disputes or complaints
These records protect you and provide evidence if legal disputes arise.
Other Debt Collectors The Wood Law LLC Handles
The Wood Law LLC represents consumers facing harassment from numerous collection agencies and servicers:
- Aidvantage
- Central Research Inc
- Xact Receivables Management
- Concentrix
- Allied International Credit
- Collection Company of America
- BCA Financial Services
- South Bay Collections
- National Recovery Agency
- The Bureaus Inc
View their comprehensive list of collection agencies and explore their full practice areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the FDCPA apply to student loan servicers like Trellis Company?
Yes. The FDCPA applies to Trellis Company when it’s collecting on defaulted student loans. While loan servicers have some exemptions when handling current loans in good standing, those exemptions disappear once loans default and active collection begins. If you’re harassed by Trellis Company for defaulted loans, they must follow all FDCPA rules.
Can Trellis Company garnish my wages without suing me?
For federal student loans, yes, but not immediately. The Department of Education can garnish wages administratively (without filing a lawsuit) but must follow specific procedures including sending advance written notices, providing hearing opportunities, and limiting garnishment amounts. However, Trellis Company cannot threaten that garnishment starts “tomorrow” without following these procedures. False threats of immediate garnishment may violate the FDCPA.
What should I do if they call my workplace repeatedly?
Tell them immediately and clearly that your employer prohibits personal calls or that receiving calls at work is inconvenient. Be specific and direct. Document this conversation with date, time, and representative name. They must stop workplace contact after your objection. If they continue, document every subsequent call and contact an attorney. Call +1 844-638-1122 for immediate legal guidance.
Will sending a cease letter stop all collection actions?
No. A cease and desist letter stops phone calls and letters, but it doesn’t stop the debt, interest accrual, credit reporting, or administrative collection actions like wage garnishment or tax refund offset. It only stops communication. You still need to address the underlying student loan debt through rehabilitation, consolidation, or repayment plans.
Can I sue if I haven’t made a payment in over a year?
Absolutely. Your right to be free from harassment exists independently of your payment history or whether you’re in default. Even if you haven’t made a payment in years and genuinely owe the money, Trellis Company must still follow federal law in their collection efforts. If they violated the FDCPA, TCPA, or FCRA, you can pursue legal action regardless of your loan status.
How do I know if they’re using illegal robocalls?
If you’re receiving calls to your cell phone that sound automated, use prerecorded messages, or seem to connect only after you answer (indicating an autodialer), these may be illegal robocalls if you didn’t provide written consent. Simply having your cell phone number on your loan application doesn’t constitute consent for robocalls. Document every automated call with date, time, and number.
What if they’re discussing my loans with my parents?
Generally, Trellis Company cannot discuss your student loan details with parents or other family members, even if parents co-signed or helped with applications. They can only contact family to obtain your contact information (phone number, address). They cannot discuss loan balances, payment status, or demand that family members pay. Doing so may violate FDCPA third-party contact restrictions. Document these contacts and consult an attorney.
Will filing complaints affect my student loans negatively?
No. Filing a complaint against Trellis Company with the CFPB, Federal Student Aid Ombudsman, or your state Attorney General will not negatively affect your loans, credit, or ability to access repayment plans. These agencies exist to protect consumers. Trellis Company cannot legally retaliate against you for filing legitimate complaints.
Can they report my loans as in default if I’m in a repayment plan?
No. If you’re making required payments under an approved income-driven repayment plan, rehabilitation agreement, or other authorized plan, Trellis Company cannot report your loans as in default. Doing so would be inaccurate credit reporting potentially violating the FCRA. If this happens, dispute the error immediately with both the credit bureaus and Trellis Company.
How long do I have to take legal action for harassment?
The statute of limitations for FDCPA violations is typically one year from the violation date. For TCPA claims involving illegal robocalls, you usually have four years. For FCRA violations involving false credit reporting, it’s generally two to five years depending on the violation type and when you discovered it. This is why quick action matters. Document violations immediately and consult an attorney promptly to preserve your rights and maximize potential recovery.
Take Action to Stop Trellis Company Debt Collection Harassment
Stop letting Trellis Company debt collection harassment disrupt your life and damage your mental health. The Wood Law LLC has helped countless student loan borrowers end harassment and recover compensation for violations.
Why their approach delivers results:
Immediate action stops harassment quickly. They begin building your case the moment you call. Most clients see harassment decrease dramatically within 72 hours of attorney involvement as servicers realize they’re being professionally monitored.
Comprehensive strategy addresses both harassment and your student loan situation. They don’t just stop calls. They help you understand your options for managing underlying debt while pursuing compensation for violations.
No financial risk protects you. Zero upfront costs. Their contingency structure means you pay nothing unless they recover compensation. Trellis Company typically pays attorney fees separately when you win FDCPA cases.
Proven experience with student loan servicers. Their attorneys understand the unique aspects of student loan collection and know how to hold servicers accountable under federal law.
Your immediate next steps:
- Document everything from Trellis Company starting immediately
- Send a cease and desist letter via certified mail if harassment continues
- File complaint against Trellis Company with CFPB and Federal Student Aid Ombudsman
- Call The Wood Law LLC at +1 844-638-1122 for your free case evaluation
Federal law protects student loan borrowers from harassment. Experienced attorneys stand ready to enforce those laws and pursue the compensation you deserve for violations.
Don’t wait while Trellis Company continues to potentially violate your rights and make your life miserable.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation Now: +1 844-638-1122
Stop Trellis Company phone harassment today and explore your legal options. Your peace of mind, financial future, and dignity matter.
