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Real Estate & Property Law

The Home Equity Theft Reporter

Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues.
By r morris

Post Frequency: 25.7/day

Last Entry: September 06, 2017 at 04:02:00

Unwitting Home Seller Conned By Alleged Mortgage Scammers Into Holding Subordinate Carry Back Note Now Faces Having Equity Wiped Out

Posted on June 05, 2009
In Seattle, Washington, The Seattle Times reports:Tom Backman says the deal to sell his house in Pacific two years ago seemed fishy from the get-go. The real-estate agent was hard to reach and demanded a specific escrow closer. The actual buyer was never around...

Ex-Cop Charged With Recording Bogus Deeds Putting Homes In Foreclosure Into His Name, Then Renting Them Out To Unsupecting Tenants

Posted on June 05, 2009
In West Palm Beach, Florida, WPBF-TV Channel 25 reports:The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a former West Palm Beach police officer Thursday. Carl Heflin is accused of stealing more than two dozen properties that were about to go into foreclosure...

Almost Half Of All Mortgages Are Serviced Using One Firm's Data Processing System

Posted on June 04, 2009
The following is an excerpt from a recent press release from Lender Processing Services, Inc.:Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS)(1) is a leading provider of integrated technology and services to the mortgage industry. [...] Approximately 50 percent of all U...

Federal Jury Awards Forklift Operator $500K In Suit Against Out-Of-Control Bill Collector

Posted on June 04, 2009
In San Jose, California, the San Jose Mercury News reports:With a straight back, short haircut and stern face, Manuel Faustos looks more like an Army sergeant than a farmworker, and he certainly doesn't sound like a happy man who stands to collect a lot of money from a bill-collection agency that hounded his family without mercy...

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New York AG Obtains Court Order Shutting Down Two Debt Collection Agencies For Illegal Business Practices

Posted on June 04, 2009
From the Office of the New York Attorney General:Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo [...] announced that his office has launched a statewide inquiry into debt collection companies. As part of the inquiry, the Attorney General?s Office obtained a court order against Lamont Cooper and his two debt collection companies, Emanee Development, Inc...

"Produce The Note" Approach Now Required Of Lenders In Nevada Foreclosures Where Homeowner Request Mandatory Mediation

Posted on June 03, 2009
The Las Vegas Sun reports:Homeowners facing foreclosure may have a new friend on their side, if they?re willing to pay for it ? a judge. A new state law, signed by Gov. Jim Gibbons and which takes effect in July, allows homeowner-occupants facing foreclosure to demand a sit-down mediation with lenders, overseen by a retired judge or an attorney...

After Paying Firm $5,600 For Failed Loan Modification Of Unaffordable Mortgage, Brooklyn Homeowner Gets Needed Changes To Terms On Her Own

Posted on June 03, 2009
In Brooklyn, New York, Newsday reports:After months of trying to get mortgage relief using American Modification Agency, Brooklyn resident Rolett Brown is now working with South Brooklyn Legal Services to try to get back the $5,600 she paid AMA, based in Hauppauge and founded by executive Salvatore Pane...

Cost For Homeowners To Countersue Lenders When Contesting Florida Foreclosure Actions In State Court Skyrockets

Posted on June 03, 2009
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports:Starting [June 1], the cost to file a notice of foreclosure in Florida jumps dramatically. State lawmakers approved the hike from $301 to between $401 and $1,906, depending on the value of the property. Few people will shed any tears for the lenders and homeowners associations that have to fork over the extra cash...

New York AG Files Suit Against Two Out-Of-State Debt Settlement Businesses; Accused Of Pocketing Fees, Failing To Fulfill Promises

Posted on June 03, 2009
From the Office of the New York Attorney General:Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo [...] announced a new development in his nationwide investigation into the debt settlement industry, filing suit against two debt settlement companies for fraudulent business practices and false advertising...

California Foreclosure Consultants Now Required To Register With State AG, Post $100K Bond

Posted on June 02, 2009
From the Office of the California Attorney General:Continuing his fight against scam artists who "prey on" vulnerable Californians, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. [Monday] issued a directive forcing foreclosure consultants to register with his office and post a $100,000 bond by July 1, 2009...

Alabama Family Settles With Feds Over Mold Infestation Caused By Roof Leak In Adjoining Foreclosed Townhome Owned By HUD

Posted on June 02, 2009
In Trussville, Alabama, WVTM-TV Channel 13 reports:A Trussville family ousted from their home because of a mold problem has resolved their case with the Federal Government. Leslieanne Johannsen, her husband and two young children had to move out of their townhome on New Year?s Day when they discovered a roof leak in the adjoining unit had caused mold to spread like wildfire into their walls,

Fleeing Buffalo-Area Homebuilder Nabbed In Louisiana; Gets Shipped Back To NY For Prison Time After Ripping Off Customers

Posted on June 02, 2009
From the Office of the New York Attorney General:Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo [...] announced that a corrupt Buffalo-area homebuilder has been sentenced to prison for ripping off his customers for tens of thousands of dollars. Steven Wisniewski, former owner of Elite Custom Homes, was sentenced for grand larceny in Erie County today to 5 to 15 years in prison [...

Michigan AG Takes Heat For Lack Of Action On 15 Alleged Criminal Mortgage Fraud Cases Referred By State Finance Regulator

Posted on June 02, 2009
In Lansing, Michigan, The Michigan Messenger reports:State Democrats are calling for greater accountability from Attorney General Mike Cox, whom they accuse of not acting on 15 cases of alleged criminal mortgage fraud forwarded from the state?s Office of Financial and Insurance Services since Jan...

Wells Whistleblowers Call Lending Practices "Riding The Stagecoach To Hell" In Testimony Admitting To Targeting Blacks In Baltimore City Lawsuit

Posted on June 02, 2009
In Baltimore, Maryland, The Daily Record reports:The city of Baltimore has beefed up its groundbreaking racial discrimination lawsuit against Wells Fargo with sometimes shocking testimony from a pair of the megabank?s former subprime-loan officers. The two whistleblowers claim their co-workers targeted black ZIP codes and churches, used software to ?translate? marketing materials into

Manhattan Feds Bust Alleged Equity Stripping, Mortgage Fraud Scam; 13 Suspects Charged

Posted on June 01, 2009
In Islip, New York, the New York Daily News reports:The feds busted up a $10 million mortgage scam that had left city and Long Island homeowners facing eviction. The scheme, run out of Bridgewater Funding in Islip, L.I., targeted dozens of residential properties in the $200,000 to $500,000 range, Manhattan prosecutors said [Thursday]...

It's Standing Room Only At Sarasota Foreclosure Court's "Rocket Docket"

Posted on June 01, 2009
In Sarasota, Florida, the Tampa Tribune reports:Lawyers and frantic homeowners cram together, creating a standing-room-only crowd before Judge Harry Rapkin's foreclosure court. [...] Rapkin, now retired, comes in on a part-time basis to oversee what's become known as the "Rocket Docket...

Time To Batten Down The Hatches For Lenders Stuck Holding Vacant Foreclosed Homes As Hurricane Season Starts Today

Posted on June 01, 2009
In Lehigh Acres, Florida, The Associated Press reports:Mike Manikchand points toward his neighbors in Lehigh Acres -- a half-dozen empty, foreclosed-upon homes, sitting on weed-strewn yards -- and he wonders: What will happen if a hurricane slams into southwest Florida this year? His simple answer: "A lot of these places will get destroyed...

Las Vegas Family Loses Home to Foreclosure Over $39 Fee, Despite Being Otherwise Current On Loan Modification Agreement With Lender

Posted on May 31, 2009
In Las Vegas, Nevada, KVBC-TV Channel 3 reports:"Your house has been sold based on the fact you failed to send a $39 contribution. We figured by you not sending that, you didn't want to stay in the house."That's what American Servicing Company, a division of Wells Fargo, told David Zepeda earlier this month...

South Carolina Homeowner Loses Home In Sale Leaseback Foreclosure Rescue Deal

Posted on May 31, 2009
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, WMBF-TV reports:The home is the centerpiece of the American dream. A dream that for Larry Revels has turned into an unimaginable nightmare. "They said that they would stop the foreclosure and keep me in my house," he said...

Colleges "Prowling" For Cheap Student Dorm Space Seek Out Desperate Developers Looking To Unload Unsold Condo Complexes

Posted on May 31, 2009
In Providence, Rhode Island, The Associated Press reports:River views, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, 9-foot ceilings. This is student housing? When classes start this fall ? if all goes as planned ? more than 300 students at Johnson & Wales University will be living in Capitol Cove, an upscale condominium project that had been languishing on the market for more than six months.

Treasury Department Issues Alert On Scammers Using Fraudulent Promissory Notes & Bonds In Attempt To Buy Real Estate, Vehicles

Posted on May 31, 2009
The U.S. Treasury Department has informed the National Association of Realtors ("NAR") by letter of a new fraud that is making the rounds:The Department of Treasury, Office of Inspector General (OIG) is investigating incidences whereby individuals are using fraudulent promissory notes and bonds to attempt to purchase vehicles and real estate...

Elk Grove Cop Charged With Lying On Mortgage Applications; Brother, Sister-In-Law Accused Of Pocketing $200K In Separate Refinancing Scheme

Posted on May 30, 2009
In Elk Grove, California, KXTV Channel 10 reports:An Elk Grove police officer has been charged by federal authorities for allegedly lying on mortgage loan applications to buy two homes that later went into foreclosure. Hidayatullah Ali Khalil, 29, was arrested Thursday by the FBI on a three-count complaint and made an initial appearance in Sacramento federal court before being released on a

Some Realtors Begin Warning Homeowners In Foreclosure Against Home Stripping

Posted on May 30, 2009
In Phoenix, Arizona, KPHO-TV Channel 5 reports:Several Valley real estate agents are doing their part to prevent a new kind of crime. They are asking homeowners selling their foreclosed homes to sign disclosure forms saying they?ve been told stripping their homes is a felony...

Rescuing Starving, Abandonded Animals Left In Foreclosed Homes No Longer Illegal In Gilbert

Posted on May 30, 2009
In Gilbert, Arizona, The Arizona Republic reports:Gilbert police and town employees can now rescue abandoned or distressed animals from foreclosed homes. That will be welcome news for the increasing number of cats, dogs and other pets who have been abandoned when their owners let their homes go into foreclosure...

Minnesota Feds Convict Mortgage Broker In Equity Stripping, Foreclosure Rescue Scam; Victims Duped Into Believing Deals Were Mere Refinancings

Posted on May 29, 2009
From the Office of the U.S. Attorney (Minnesota):A federal [trial] jury [...] convicted a 41-year-old Prior Lake man on seven criminal counts in connection with an equity-skimming scheme that targeted vulnerable homeowners. After more than six hours of deliberation, on May 20 in St...

NY Judge Gives Go-Ahead To Tax Foreclosure Sale Despite Property Owner's Failure To Receive Notice Of Action While In County Jail On Unrelated Matter

Posted on May 29, 2009
In Canandaigua, New York, the Daily Messenger reports:A property that was slated to be sold at Ontario County?s foreclosure auction May 6 escaped the initial sale. But now it will be sold, following a judge?s decision. The owner of 4530 Blossom Road in Gorham sued the county ?over notice issues,? county Assistant Attorney Gary Curtiss said after a meeting Wednesday, [...

Watch Out For Mail Solicitations Simulating Official Forms & Letters From Government Agencies Offering Mortgage Help

Posted on May 29, 2009
The New York Times reports:The letter may look like a government form. The logo may seem official. The Web site address may sound like an agency that can help. But there's a good chance it may all be a scam.***''With people losing homes, you're at your most vulnerable,'' said Roscoe Howard, a Treasury Department spokesman...

Missouri AG Files Suit Against Two Mortgage Refinancing Firms Accused Of Calling Consumers Having Phone Numbers On State's "Do Not Call" Registry

Posted on May 29, 2009
In Jefferson City, Missouri, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports:Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced today suits against two area mortgage-refinancing companies that allegedly called consumers who have placed their telephone numbers on the state?s Do-Not-Call registry...

FTC Files Civil Suit Against Loan Modification Firm Accused Of Deceptive Practices While Clipping Homeowners For $3.3M+ In Upfont Fees

Posted on May 28, 2009
From the Federal Trade Commision:The Federal Trade Commission has charged a mortgage foreclosure ?rescue? operation with falsely promising Spanish-speaking consumers who are behind on their mortgage payments that it would stop foreclosure.(1) Many people who paid the defendants ultimately lost their homes, and others avoided foreclosure only through their own efforts...

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