Suit Filed Against Firm That Allegedly Provides Advice To Homeowners In Connection With Walking Away From "Underwater" Homes

In Capistrano Beach, California, MISH'S Global EconomicTrend Analysis posts that You Walk Away LLC was sued for alleged violations of California State Law. A copy of the News Release from attorney Benjamin L. Meeker announcing the lawsuit is included in the post:

• CAPISTRANO BEACH, Calif., February 23, 2009 – The Law Offices of Benjamin L. Meeker, APC announced today that it represents the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit filed against You Walk Away, LLC, a “foreclosure consultant” company located in Carlsbad, California. According to the complaint filed in San Diego County Superior Court on February 13, 2009, You Walk Away peddles foreclosure consulting “services” and “protection kits” through which it entices desperate homeowners into paying an upfront fee of $995 for an essentially worthless service.

• “We believe that You Walk Away’s conduct falls within that described by the California Attorney General’s Office as the ‘Foreclosure For a Fee Scam’” says attorney Benjamin Meeker.(1)

For the rest of the post, see You Walk Away LLC sued in class action lawsuit.

See also, San Diego Union Tribune: Foreclosure consultants in Carlsbad target of suit.

For docket information on this case, see Hurst v. You Walk Away LLC.

(1) If the firm actually counsels homeowners to cease making their mortgage payments, said conduct may give rise to a cause of action for the mortgage lender as a tortious interference with an existing contract. See Quelimane Co. v. Stewart Title Guaranty Co., 19 Cal. 4th 26; 960 P.2d 513; 77 Cal. Rptr. 2d 709; 1998 Cal. LEXIS 5419 (1998):

• "The elements which a plaintiff must plead to state the cause of action for intentional interference with contractual relations are (1) a valid contract between plaintiff and a third party; (2) defendant's knowledge of this contract; (3) defendant's intentional acts designed to induce a breach or disruption of the contractual relationship; (4) actual breach or disruption of the contractual relationship; and (5) resulting damage." (Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Bear Stearns & Co. (1990) 50 Cal. 3d 1118, 1126 [270 Cal. Rptr. 1, 791 P.2d 587].)