Loan Modification Scam

ComplaintsScamsConsumer First Legal Group

Complaint

0
Bobby Braddy
Country: United States
In May we contacted Consumer First Legal Group or Network (They called themselves both Group and Network) in May of 2012 for help with our mortgage.  We had a telephone interview, gave all of our information, and were told that Consumer First Legal could definitely help modify our mortgage and drop our payment significantly.  We were told that we had to put down $1330.00 and were told that it would be $600.00 per month for no more than three months to process all of the paperwork to get the loan modification.  We were sent a list of papers to send, which we did send.  This process repeated itself several times with weeks going by without returned calls, answered emails only to finally be told that things were being held up because they were still waiting on paperwork, which had been faxed over as soon as it was requested and sometimes multiple times!!!!  We were told that we were not to have any contact with our Mortgage Company.  We were told from the beginning to send any correspondence from our Mortgage Company right away, which we did.  We started getting letters from foreclosure lawyers representing our Mortgage Company.  We sent those letters and tried to get in contact with someone at Consumer First Legal to express our concerns with no success.  For several weeks we tried to get in touch with Luisa Martinez and Ana Gomes, whom we were told we needed to talk to.  Through this whole process we have been treated unprofessionally, have been given the run around, have seen no progress and were lied too.  We were told a few weeks ago by Consumer First Legal that they were in negotiations with our Mortgage Company, Wells Fargo, and that “the package” was being submitted.  
The final red flag was raised when we were contacted by Ana Gomes stating that she still needed some papers.  We therefore called Wells Fargo and found out that Consumer First Legal Network or Legal Group (which sometimes they called themselves one and sometimes the other; very confusing!), has never contacted them.  We were told that our home was in foreclosure and they were getting ready to set a sale date!  We told Wells Fargo about the paperwork that Consumer First Legal Network had sent us to fill out.  The representative at Wells Fargo told us that the paperwork was bogus.  We were sent by Consumer First Legal Network paperwork to fill out for Making Homes Affordable which Wells Fargo told us that those were easily printed off of the internet, and that program a consumer would first have to qualify for.  We are now trying to get something worked out with our mortgage company on our own now that we have been wasting time and money with the fraud that Consumer First Legal has committed.  We are not the only ones that have fallen victim.  We have found many other cases on the internet with the exact same circumstances.  Because of what they have done we our out of $3130 in money drafted out of our account paid to Consumer First Legal, and we are $10,000 behind in our mortgage.  We want our money back from Harold E. Stafford, Consumer First Legal Network, 8253 May Drive, Suite 309, Madison, Wisconsin 53719.  Telephone number 561-494-0208.   They took advantage of our hardship and we do not want anyone else falling victim to this scam.

Comments

  • 0
    Check your sources!!!!!
    | 20 replies
    I went through the loan modification with them as Bacon Law, and actually got better results than i was quoted. it took 4 months but that seems to be pretty reasonable with the banks these days. I was told my payment would go down to between 900-1200 and was surprised to receive the finalized payment as 775.89!!!!
    This is like anything else in life3 people...a process. Obviously there were times when I was worried or stressed out! But in the end the firm saved my home and lowered my payments....I got behind and needed help and they helped, in the end results speak volumes. For every horror story you folks have; another handful have great stories and results. AND I did call the BBB to check out there standing and they ARE in great standing since 2009. They also have an "A" rating so i have no idea what the gentleman above is talking about lol.
    • 0
      happy replies to Check your sources!!!!!
      So you didnt go through First Legal Net who Robert Bacon is the attorney?
      You went directly through the attorney office in South Carolina.
      what were your payments?
      im searching to make sure.
    • 0
      amanda b replies to Check your sources!!!!!
      I just spent almost 2 hours on the phone with these people and they sounded legit. Now I'm worried...
    • 0
      CHRISTINE replies to Check your sources!!!!!
      | 9 replies
      This is a lie!! Go online and check with the South Carolina BBB and you will see they do not have a good rating with the BBB......It's an "F". The list of complaints goes on & on about Bacon Law Firm. Do not use and pass the word onto others that may be looking for a loan modification.
      • 0
        WESLEY COY replies to CHRISTINE
        | 2 replies
        I just got screwed out of 2900 dollars from Emory Law first legal net trying to get modification from Citi Mortgage. I was scammed. I don't know what to do now.
        • 0
          Call your local Atty gens Office replies to WESLEY COY
          Call you local Attorney General's office.  Emery law / the old Bacon Law firm is only lisacened to practice in SC.  Call the South Carolina bar Assoc. and file a complaint.  Contact the South Carolina BBB and file a complaint.  Then go to your local court house and pick up paperwork to sue them.
        • 0
          Donna and barry Delp replies to WESLEY COY
          I just seen your post. We used Emery Law from South Carolina and we lost over $3000.  We started in August 2013 and this went on till February 2014. We never got a modification for our mortgage. We were told numerous times to resend paperwork and in February when we sent paperwork the person I spoke to said she never got it and wanted to know when I sent it and where. I was told before to send it to her in Florida. I talked to an Emery Law in New Mexico and they said they were not associated with them but people were calling them and this person who answered phone she thought there was something illegal going on in Florida and N.C. I would send them emails at the end and call them  and they all had the same number 843-647-7923. Some times they would not call back for awhile and I would have to keep calling them and sending emails. Do you think I should call the Attorney General on this. I already called the Federal Trades Commision. I can't see my agreement they said I signed . They removed every thing off the site that the link would send me to that this Law firm was real. I was contacted  by another person who said we might be able to get a partial payment back but we would not threaten them which we did not and that we should be civil.  Some one told me to contact the news media. The lawyer's  name they used was Melanie Emery. Does she have a law firm called Emery Law in Soth Carolina and New York? Please reply back if you see this.
      • 0
        THERESA SALIS replies to CHRISTINE
        | 1 reply
        Why would you check out the BBB? They offered me an "A" rating for my business if I paid 3000 a year and I didn't have any ratings at all as I just started my company but automatically you get an F right off the bat. If you want to find out from an attorney you go to the source. The Bar Association regulates and governs attorneys. Don't go to a company that requires you to make a payment to get an A rating.
        • 0
          Get your facts right! replies to THERESA SALIS
          There are several complaint on file with the SC BBB on bacon Law Firm.  And they have an "F" rating because they are NOT an Acredited business...LOOK IT UP.
      • 0
        Padon replies to CHRISTINE
        No it clearly states that they don't have enough creditals to be rated. You start at the bottom. Check the complaints on Emery they don't have any.
      • 0
        I maybe another victum. replies to CHRISTINE
        | 2 replies
        I was mailed a offer with Avista Home Retention from LA, California and Emery Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, SC to lower my monthly payment as through a modification for $2,995.00. I am still seeking information from both companies. My mortgage company does not modify nor refinance, so how does these companies get my mtg company to change their minds and policies.
        • 0
          bliss mitchell replies to I maybe another victum.
          Please contact me asap about this company 561 8009797
        • 0
          Debra replies to I maybe another victum.
          I also went through Avista Home Specialists back in july of last year and they still didn't do anything for me and it's been a year and five months and my home is in the process of foreclouser and i'm also to write to. them and ask them to refund me half my money back because I feel like they haven't done anything for me at all and now i'm working with a realtor to help me sell my home and I pray that it shall sell soon so that I can move back to where my kids are at. And good luck to anyone who went through these home modification programs to help them
    • 0
      FIghting MAD replies to Check your sources!!!!!
      | 4 replies
      NO they do not have a good standijng / rating with BBB...it's an "F" with several complaints on file.  Check it out, go online to the BBB of South Carolina and find out yourself.  This place is a scam.  it is againt the law to collect a fee first for a modification.....UNLESS...you are hiding behind a Attorney / Lawyer.  Then the money is "suppose" to be deposited.  Do NOT use them.  They will lie to you, take days to respond to your calls, Do NOT follow up with you or your lender.

      REPORT THEM TO THE FTC 90FEDERAL TRADE COMISSION, BBB, SOUTH CAROLINA BAR ASSOC, YOUR LOCAL PROSECUTING ATTY OFFICE, AND YOUR STATES ATTTORNEY FENERAL'S OFFICE.  THEY MAYBE PRACTING IN YOUR STATE WITHOUT A LICENSE TO DO SO.

      I HAVE REPORTED THEM TO ALL.  MY NEXT STEP IS TO THE MEDIA.

      PLEASE CONTACT ME CWARD729@NETZERO.NET
      • 0
        I maybe a victum replies to FIghting MAD
        | 3 replies
        WOW! I was mailed a offer with Avista Home Retention from LA, California and Emery Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, SC to lower my monthly payment as through a modification for $2,995.00. I am still seeking information from both companies. My mortgage company does not modify nor refinance, so how does these companies get my mtg company to change their minds and policies.
        • 0
          lori replies to I maybe a victum
          so have you had any results with this company cause they have contacted me also and was thinking of getting their help.
        • 0
          Arlene replies to I maybe a victum
          We were offered the same, what did you do, were you satisfied
        • 0
          Debra replies to I maybe a victum
          I to was a victim of Avista Home Specialist's and I had paid them $2795.00 and my first payment was $1495.00 and my second was $1300.00
    • 0
      u r wrong! replies to Check your sources!!!!!
      Check with the BBB, they have an "F" rating and are not an acreditted business with the BBB
    • 0
      Where do they have an A rating? I just went on the South Carolina BBB and saw an F rating.  Maybe I am looking at the wrong law firm, but wanted to double check.
    • 0
      Raven replies to Check your sources!!!!!
      Same results for me they did a awesome job. My payments were 2000 now they are down to 1,300. They always kept in touch and let me know what was going on in the process.

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