I decided to post this comment in hopes that someone might be spared the experience of being ripped off.
I initially contacted 1st American Law Center in September through a referral from someone at a phone I had called seeking to apply for the Obama Save Your Home Program (or whatever it was called). Unfortunately, the number I called for help was the wrong number, and not a legitimate representative of the program that I was seeking to take advantage of. I was tentative about paying the $4,500 they asked for, but I accepted a payment plan that they arranged.
First American Law Center informed me in October that the initial caseworker had left the firm and my case had fallen behind, but was reassigned and working. I even had to resubmit all kinds of paperwork (bills, bank statements, etc.) to help them get keep current information for my case.
Even so, the property was foreclosed on 5 March. I contacted 1st American Law Center immediately, but even all these months later, still have had no return contact.
My grandmother, for whom I originally purchased the home, and the reason why I attempted a last ditch effort at modification, has since passed away on 8 May.
Although I may be eligible, due to negligence of the firm and case workers, I will not seek to reverse the foreclosure and get the property back.
I tried unsuccessfully for over 2 months to reach someone who would help me process my request for the money that I paid to 1st American Law Center for their services to work a loan modification on my home.
I called, emailed, left voicemails, left messages for several weeks to 1st American Law Center, and I have gotten nowhere. The person who answers the phone either offers to give me an alternate number (which I explain to her that I already have and no one answers or returns calls), or she pretends to take messages for "Jenn", the manager/supervisor, who has yet to call me back. At this point, I'm rather embarrassed that I have dealt with people who are so unprofessional and/or incompetent and/or apathetic.
"Jenn" promised to call me back weeks ago, after she "researched" my case, even though I explained to her that I just wanted to get my money back because the house was foreclosed and the modification was unsuccessful. I have yet to receive a return call or a reply to any of my emails to my case worker, or any correspondence from anyone about my case. First American Law Center promised to handle my case or to refund all my the fees paid. They did neither.
For whatever reason, they have chosen to ignore my correspondence and keep my money. Whatever the reason, this is bad business. I've waited this long to post this, and to contact a 3rd party attorney (who said that she was sent a check for $2,500 or my money, but had to wait for it to clear her bank before cutting me a check) because I was really hoping that I hadn't been scammed, and that perhaps there was a backlog of work, or some other reason for them not to send my money.
Shame on them all.
In any case, I'm done begging for what is rightly owed to me. I've prayed on it, God will do the rest. If it happens that 1st American Law Center feels that keeping people's hard-earned money is the way they run a business to turn a profit, then so be it. I guess they feel they need and deserve my money more than I do. Even at my age, I'm still learning as I live.
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