In August I applied for a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure through Bank of America's HAFA program on my own through my lender's Loan Advocacy Dept. Between Sept and Nov I was contacted several times via phone by American Residential Law Group (ARLG) Loan Counselor Karen Santor concerning foreclosure rescue. After talking to Karen on several occasions and receiving a court summons, I reluctantly agreed to accept her help, which she said would cost $2050.00, which was to be paid in four payments of $750 down and every 2 weeks and additional $433.33 would be drafted from my bank account. She said that credit cards were not acceptable. On 11-12-10 American Residential Law Group (ARLG) drafted $750 from my Bank of America checking account. On 11-26-10 ARLG drafted another $433.33 from my Bank of America checking account. The person who initially contacted me for several weeks about being able to save my home from foreclosure (Karen Santor) was no longer taking my calls after they drafted money from account for foreclosure rescue related services. I emailed Karen Santor on 11-14-10 stating that I had received a court summons from my lender's attorneys (Pierce & Associates) and that I had a 1-3-10 court date, that I would need help with and that. Karen promised that I would not need to go to court which was untrue because I was in court Friday, 12/-3-10 unrepresented.in my 11-14-10 email to Karen I explained that this was my family's last bit of money to help us in this situation due to my cancer treatment medical bills, and that if ARLG could not help us in court, I would need the money that was drafted from my bank account refunded to me. Karen then sent an email stating she would call me back to address my inquiries. Via phone Karen said that if ARLG could not help me, of course I would get my money back. Between 12-1-10 and 12-3-10 I received a series of calls from my lender's attorney indicating that foreclosure could be prevented and that I was to move out of my house in 30 days after the deed-in-lieu of foreclosure documents were signed.in effect, ARLG did not provide me with any foreclosure rescue services. Karen stated that if I tried to process the deed-in-lieu on my own, that my lender would pursue me for the 2nd loan on my home because I have an 80/20 home loan. Karen said that I would have to file bankruptcy if I was not represented by an attorney at ARLG. After speaking to my lender's attorney and the mediation counselors at the court house where I had to file an appearance, they informed me that this information is untrue. I tried to reach Karen several times via phone and email, without success. I ended up speaking with a customer srvc rep at ARLG who then forwarded my call to the voice mail of Faye Baxter, who after I called several times informed me that she is Karen's manager. On 12-3-10 I explained the entire matter to Faye Baxter and she said she would review my file to determine a fair refund. I called her back several times day after day. Finally on 12-7-10 Faye Baxter emails me a "Hold Harmless" agreement for a refund of only $783. I called Faye Baxter back to request my full refund of $1183.33 because ARLG did not do any negotiating with my lender, and that I was already asked to leave my home in 30 days by my lender's attorneys. Also, I do not have any money to move on such short notice - I begged Faye Baxter to refund my money to me. She said that unfortunately she must withhold a $400 processing fee. Karen Santor promised me that this would not happen - she assured me that my family's last bit of money would not be abused. I am in a bad situation; to be kicked out of my home in the depth of a Chicago winter, and ARLG refuses to refund my payments of $1183.00 to me. I need help - I have no money to evacuate my home. I have spent the last 10 weeks calling the American Residential Law Group while waiting on hold for over 1 and 2 hours each call, without anyone ever picking up the line. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau, the FTC office of Consumer Protection, and the Office of the Attorney General of Florida Bill McCollum via online complaint submission and email to help me recover my $1183.00 deposit at American Residential Law Group.
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