Man Facing Foreclosure Jerked Around In Attempt To Reinstate Loan; Servicer Allegedly Pocketed $3,200 Payment, Then Failed To Honor Workout Agreement

In Cincinnati, Ohio, the WCPO-TV Channel 9 reports on the story of Yusuf Salaam, an area homeowner who fell behind in his mortgage payments, and the alleged jerking around he received from his loan servicer. According to the story:

• Salaam's case began when he got behind in his mortgage payments and sought help. He got it by calling the foreclosure prevention phone-a-thon in June. [The Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati] Program Manager LaKicia Roseman was assigned to the case.

• Roseman got in touch with [loan servicer American Servicing Company] and worked out a new loan with the help of over $3,200 from the Ohio [Home] Rescue Loan Fund. The deal was signed in July. However, ACS allegedly refused to accept Salaam's payments and held on to the Ohio check.

• Legal Aid Attorney Elizabeth Tull was brought in to file suit to have ACS honor its agreement. "If we weren't in Mr. Salaam's case, his house would have went to sheriff's sale," Roseman said.

For more, see Foreclosure Prevention Fraud Worries Home Experts.

For story update, see: WCPO-TV Helps Roselawn Family Keep Their Home:

• [T]hanks to WCPO-TV, the Home Ownership Center and Legal Aid, [Yusef Salaam's] wish came true. After months of wrangling, Salaam has a new mortgage with a monthly payment that is $133 less than before.