Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
Monday, May 14, 2012
'Re-Branded' Foreclosure Mill Still Plagued w/ Problems; Homeowners Allegedly Stiffed On 'Cash For Keys' Come-Ons After Vacating Homes Leave Screaming
In Central Florida, WFTV-TV Channel 9 reports:
WFTV’s 9 Investigates looked into serious concerns about one of the biggest foreclosure law firms in the state. If the bank has foreclosed on your property or you were the tenant in a foreclosure, chances are you've heard of the Florida Default Law Group. But now, investigative reporter George Spencer has uncovered hundreds of complaints and a major state investigation.
Christian Flint jumped at a chance to make $2,000 by leaving his rented home in Winter Springs more quickly than he had to after it went into foreclosure. However, not only did Flint not get $2,000, he didn’t get any money at all. “It makes me furious,” Flint said.
Flint, who suffers from cerebral palsy, said he was deceived by the Florida Default Law Group and a local Realtor the group employed in his case. Because he's disabled, Flint said he needed money to pay for help in his move. He said he met every requirement on the very basic "cash for keys" checklist and was ready to leave.
But when an inspector walked around the property, following a new, more detailed checklist, he told Flint the cash offer was suddenly gone, even though Flint already moved out. “I thought he was crazy,” said Flint. As it turns out, many other renters have had the same problems.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi opened an investigation into the Florida Default Law Group after receiving 241 complaints. Flint also plans to file a complaint against the real estate agent who worked on his case for the group. “I look at them as just fraudulent bullies,” said Flint. “There are people out there that are just looking to prey on the ignorance of so many people.”
At the end of April, a secretary at the Florida Default Law Group's telephone number said the firm's name had just been changed to Ronald R. Wolfe and Associates. But the new name may carry similar baggage: Wolfe has two open foreclosure-related complaints against him personally with the Florida bar.
Wolfe told WFTV he has been working with the Attorney General's Office to address concerns about the Florida Default Law Group, but he did not say specifically how.
CBC News: Betrayal of Trust (A CBC investigation reveals how lawyers across Canada have misappropriated and mishandled clients money, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, or sometimes even charging vulnerable people top dollar for shoddy services)
Land Contract/Contract For Deed/Rent-To-Own Rackets
The New York Times: The Housing Trap (In the wake of the housing crisis, low-income families have turned to seller financing to buy homes but these deals can be a money trap)
Beware The Fine Print: Consumers Forced To Sign Away Their Rights To Use Court System
The NY Times: Arbitration Everywhere, Stacking the Deck of Justice(Part 1 in series examining how clauses buried in tens of millions of contracts have deprived Americans of one of their most fundamental constitutional rights: their day in court)
Foreclosure Mills' Abysmal Record In Complying With New NYS Foreclosure Requirements
Justice Deceived: How Large Foreclosure Firms Subvert State Regulations Protecting Homeowners
MFY Legal Services Report On Questionable Practices By Process Servers In Debt Collection Cases
Justice Disserved: A Preliminary Analysis of the Exceptionally
Low Appearance Rate by Defendants in Lawsuits Filed in the Civil Court of the City of New York
Mortgage Mess Redux: Robo-Signers Return (A Reuters investigation finds that many banks are still employing the controversial foreclosure practices that sparked a major outcry last year)
CNN Video: As Foreclosures Mount, Florida Court Turns To 'Rocket Docket'
The Wall Street Journal: A Florida Court's 'Rocket Docket' Blasts Through Foreclosure Cases (2 Questions, 15 Seconds, 45 Days to Get Out; 'What's to Talk About?' Says a Judge)
"Produce The Note" Strategy When Dealing With Missing Promissory Notes In Foreclosure Actions
ABC Video: Fighting Against Foreclosure (Some homeowners have found a new tactic to keep the banks at bay)
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