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.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Alleged Financial Exploitation Of The Elderly Among Felony Charges Facing Missouri Man Accused Of Making False Promises To Do Roofing, Remodeling Work, Fleecing Seven Homeowners Out Of $20K+
From the Office of the Missouri Attorney General:
Attorney General Chris Koster announced [] that he filed a criminal case against Donald J. Harralston in Jefferson County for multiple felony counts of financial exploitation of the elderly, stealing, and unlawful merchandising practices. Koster has joined with Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Forrest Wegge in prosecuting Harralston for defrauding Jefferson County consumers.
Koster alleges that Harralston made false promises to do roofing and remodeling work for consumers. Harralston demanded significant upfront payment then, in most cases, performed no work and provided no materials.
The total loss is more than $20,000 from seven consumers.
“When our investigation reveals that a company has ripped off customers, this office will act to punish the scammer and protect Missourians,” Koster said.
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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