On April 4th I entered into an agreement with the Debt Advocacy center of Cleveland Ohio to negotiate a loan modification for me. I was advised by their representative Darlene Franklin that I would not be successful in negotiating a modification on my own. I was also advised to cease making my current loan payments as of that time I was current. They told me that the morgage company would not negotiate if I were making the payment. She told me it would cost me a total of $3,600 for their service but I would make the payment up by not making my mortgage payments. They would negotiate a new payment, any backpayments and late fees and that my credit would not be affected. I paid $1800.00 up front and was told at the end of the negotiation I would be required to pay an additional $1800.00. I was contacted by Joseph Guiliano who advised me he was an attorney and would be handling my negotiation process. He reiterated what Darlene Franklin had told me and advised I cease making mortgage payments. He emailed me paperwork required to begin the process. I submitted the paperwork and have heard nothing from them. I have submitted several emails, phone calls and have heard nothing.
In the mean time I received a request from my financial institution with the same paperwork he had sent me and a warning to be aware of predatory organizations that request any payment to negotiate loan modifications. I contacted the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program office 877-SIG and spoke with the representative who advised me that Debt Advocacy Center or any others requiring payments were ripoffs and gave me the number to report this to the FBI office in Cleveland Ohio. I did this and they also advised me to report it to IC3 for internet ripoffs. I called Debt Advocacy Center to advise them of my report and demanded repayment of the payment. I have heard absolutely nothing from them. From the time I made the payment (April 4th) to date. June 19th I have had no service rendered by Debt Advocacy Center. They have not even made contact with my financial institution at all. I have received no return contact from the Debt Advocacy Center.
Please beware of this company or any other that requires payment to negotiate a loan modification and absolutely do not listen to their advise on how to proceed.
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