Hello all, I'm new. I'm a 22 year old daughter posting mostly on behalf of my parents and out of concern for what they got themselves into. I believe my parents got themselves scammed by some group (?) of people who promised to modify their mortgage. I just learned most of these details today which raised some red flags for me. Also, this takes place in SF Bay Area, California.
My mom answered an ad that was in the Pennysaver about loan modification, the company was USMAC Financial Services and the person who helped was John Rapp (ph # 1-800-485-8055 x5034).
They made my parents sign a contract and pay $3,500 (by credit card) up front to John Rapp I believe. They assigned a lawyer named Christian M. Dillon to our case, and some documents we received from his office were very unprofessional and had no signature of his on any of them. Also, one of the documents were supposed to be signed by his case managers named Melissa Holland and Lori Fitch, but it's a fake cursive computer font.
John Rapp also instructed my parents to be delinquent on their mortgage for 2 months, and one of the people in Dillon's office denied anyone ever saying that. It's going onto the 3rd month now, and someone from the Dillon office now instructed my parents to pay $1000 for the mortgage (which probably isn't possible since the mortgage company wants the full sum due, our monthly mortgage is around $2800). These suggestions seem very shady to me, and I could foresee losing the house if they'll lead us on like that and do nothing about it.
Some other details are that the Dillon office was instructed by my parents to call their cell phones if they want to contact them since they're almost never home during their hours due to work. However, they keep calling the wrong phone number and it seems like they're trying to avoid contact. And once my mom actually does manage to get in contact with them, they're mostly clueless. For example, she was told that another person had her file, so she had to call that person, then that person said another person had her file, etc.
When I heard of this today, I checked on the internet about this and found some writings by people that seem to indicate that this whole thing is a sham, and that this Christian M. Dillon lawyer seems to be involved in a lot of these companies. I checked on the BBB website on his company's rating and they weren't good, so I wonder if he keeps making new companies until their ratings get very bad or what.
Anyway, my parents are now treating this as a scam and are going to call the mortgage company tomorrow to find out if this lawyer's office even contacted them or anything. The problem with that though, is that the Dillon office warned that our mortgage company will deny having contact with them and try intimidating us which is believable, so it's sort of hard to know who to trust. I'm also contemplating whether or not a charge back for the $3500 will be possible if the contract is as unprofessional as the rest of the correspondence and has no real signature, but I won't know about that until tomorrow (Also I'm wondering if it is lawful for a person such as John Rapp to accept the upfront payment on behalf of the lawyer, since I don't see him on the DRE directory).
I'd appreciate any opinions or thoughts on this matter. I apologize if this is long and confusing too, it certainly is for me. Also, who should we trust about this and where can we report this if it is a scam? I mostly think we will need to consult a lawyer about this too, so if anyone knows someone who deals with this in the SF Bay area, California, that would be great. Thank you.Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Asked on 7:04 pm Jan 18th 2009
Anonymous
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I did them myself because I don't have the extra money to pay an attorney, I am not even making it monthly as it is!
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Answered on 7:52 am Mar 30th 2009
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Here's the thing, I just spoke with the attorney about your situation. He says he could be successful with getting the home you live in modified. He says he wouldn't be successful with your investment property. Even though your not behind on the house you live in with the rate being over 10% and your job situation changing it could be easier to get that one down.
When you did the loan mod yourself did you submit a hardship letter with it?
I understand that you don't have the ability to hire an attorney even though the fee is minimal compared to other attorneys I will do my best to try to give you other ways to resubmit it.
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Answered on 8:00 am Mar 30th 2009
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yes, I wrote a letter explaining husband being an immigrant and not being able to work in the past, but now he was, our move and my job change, gas prices being sky high, current general economy etc. Maybe I just didn't say the right things? I would SO appreciate any suggestions you can offer me!
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Answered on 8:15 am Mar 30th 2009
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Give me some time to do some research and I will get back with you today and let you know what I come up with.
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Answered on 8:17 am Mar 30th 2009
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wow Brandy thank you so much! PM me if you'd like!
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Answered on 8:24 am Mar 30th 2009
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Please stop!!!! you are not victims. Do you have half a brain?
You had to give someone your credit card number,,right?
Why are you late on your mortgage? I understand that hardships happen..but stop this pitty pot and get on with whatever it is you want!
Sell, walk away...move
Take control of your life!
Make a decision, take action!
No one cares about you or your personal problems.
At least the guy who took your money came up with the idea to make money.Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 12:29 pm Apr 1st 2009
Anonymous
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No worries...some one will come along soon and delete your post.
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Answered on 12:32 pm Apr 1st 2009
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Its burns me up to hear about people getting taken! I work in the industry and have HELPED hundreds of families. Do your research before you pay them! CA just enacted new guidelines to stop the phony loan mod companies. One company was working under 13 different names. Best bet is to use a company that works with attorneys, guarantees your money, has some kind of transparency (online filing or similar), and is not all over ripoff report.
In general, it should take 24 - 48 hours for approval. The modification should take 2-4 months. Guidelines say the homeowner has the option NOT to pay their mortgage while the file is in mitigation. This is common. Especially if you are already delinquent, its best not to come up with the payments all of a sudden (its not going to help your case). Its unfortunate that so many bad loans have been written and the banks are denying good people help. Its also unfortunate that the lenders are unwilling to help, but keep in mind that lenders are losing money left and right and they are doing what they can to stop this.
Not every company is a scam, but some are.Robyn Govert
“The foundations of civilization are no stronger and no more enduring than the corporate integrity of the homes on which they rest. If the home deteriorates, civilization will crumble and fall.” Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 2:03 pm Apr 6th 2009
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Hi Robyn...welcome to the site...just a heads up for you. Personal info is not allowed on this site nor is advertising. But glad you signed up. I too work in the industry.Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 8:48 am Apr 7th 2009
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[color=Red][/color]solicitation is not allowed...paulmergel[color=Red][/color]Reason for Editing (Minimum 15 Characters)
Answered on 12:10 am Apr 21st 2009
Anonymous
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