Another North Idaho Loan Modification Company Gets BUSTED!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene AB37665

Another North Idaho Loan Modification Company, HomeModifier, Gets Busted!

It wasn't long ago that Apply 2 Save went down in legal flames after ripping off scads of vulnerable homeowners trying to make the best of a bad situation.  In the news this week is the tale of another loan modification company that didn't deliver what people paid big money for them to do.  APS Northwest LLC, operating under the name HomeModifier in Spokane Valley and Post Falls, is being charged with a scam by the Idaho attorney general. 

The AG filed legal action in the First District Court this week with an order to hand over tens of thousands in civil penalties for false representation, false advertising, and failing to perform services. 

The complaint states, "Defendants accepted thousands of dollars from dozens of consumers for mortgage modification services that defendants never provided, that they were not qualified to provide, and that defendants were not authorized to provide." 

BEWARE of LOAN MODIFICATION COMPANIES!  I have written several articles about loan modifications and how these companies charge HUGE fees to do something that you can do yourself.  In many cases,as with HomeModifier, they take your money and leave you hanging.  For some important loan modification information please read:

Loan Modification Scams, Operation Loan Lies and a Ding on Your Credit Report

Loan modifications are FRUSTRATING to attempt to accomplish, and increasingly I am hearing of horror stories from good folks who should qualify but can't make it happen in spite of their best efforts.  The facts are that in most cases it is NOT in the lenders best financial interest to modify a loan. 

Is the FDIC Killing Short Sales and Loan Modifications in Coeur d'Alene Idaho?

It seems as if they are intentionally trying to make it as difficult as they can.  It can seem tempting to someone who is emotionally stressed and financially overwhelmed to pay a fee for not having to personally deal with a lender.   But proceed with EXTREME CAUTION! 

BEWARE OF LOAN MODIFICATION COMPANIES!  Do it yourself and save thousands!

As for HomeModifier, the Attorney General is ordering LLC managers Randy Paul Allen, Travis Wayne Smith and Clint Ty Paulson to pay restitution to everyone who suffered economic damages from their conduct.   They have also been ordered to pay attorney's fees and investigation costs, and they can't engage in business in the state of Idaho again.  Good!

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Janna Rankin Scharf provides a superior level of real estate service to home buyers and sellers in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho. Visit www.JannaScharf.com for area information and to search for all homes in the Coeur d'Alene Multiple Listing Service. 

No matter how grand or modest your real estate dreams may be, you can turn to me in confidence.  Give me a call today so I can  be of service to you!

Janna Rankin Scharf AB, GRI, CLHMS, PMN, SFR  208.651.9700

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Comments (5)

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Janna:  It is so unfortunate that there always seems to be people who will take advantage of others during their time of need.  Those scamming folks thru so-called loan modification programs should be caught and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Nov 08, 2009 03:57 AM
Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

Karen Anne - I agree.  One of my current clients had a run in with a con artist scammer and has been put through a living nightmare.  They are despicable as they prey on good, vulnerable people.

Nov 08, 2009 04:04 AM
Ed Newman
Alamo Infrared, LLC - Midvale, UT

Someone told me last year that most of these "loan mod" companies are a scam. Like plywood vendors after a hurricane. Now I see trruth in what he said.

Nov 08, 2009 04:17 AM
Brian Brumpton
Keller Williams Boise - Boise, ID
Boise Idaho Real Estate

Janna,

Good to hear they're pursuing these people.  It seems that as soon as they take down one, another is there to fill the gap.

Nov 08, 2009 07:58 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

False Advertising of any kind is a hot topic for me right now.  It's incredible and appalling how some agents that are clueless when it comes to Short Sales boast of hundreds of transactions and high closing ratios - neither metric being supported by the MLS.

Aug 29, 2010 01:36 AM

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