I found this thanks to my free subscription to Ann O'Rourke's email which you can subscribe to the Appraisal Today Newsletter by clicking this link.
Countrywide & LandSafe Skimming Appraisal Fees
As promissed here it is:
Washington homeowners filed a class-action lawsuit against Countrywide, claiming the lending giant illegal rigged the appraisal process in a scheme to boost profits at the expense of homeowners and independent appraisers.
According to the complaint, borrowers were forced to use the Countrywide subsidiary, LandSafe who, according to the charge, skimmed off part of the appraisal fee for themselves (Countrywide). The borrower was charged $450 while the appraiser sometimes netted less than $200 with LandSafe/Countrywide pocketing the difference.
Several years ago a friend told us this was a violation of RESPA. He told us who to focus on, and he was right.
If you would like to read more and help the law firm hit this AMC square between the pocketbook read more here: LINK Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
Appraisers, down load the complaint here: DOWNLOAD COMPLAINT
The law firm is looking for more class participants. JOIN THIS LAWSUIT: HERE
Posted on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 05:26PM by 
Fraud Problem Team | 
8 Comments
Source: http://www.fraudproblem.com/updates/2009/1/14/countrywide-landsafe-skimming-appraisal-fees.htm l
1/19/2009 addition regarding Wells Fargo / RELs :
New investigation of Wells Fargo - RELS AMC - possible lawsuit Last week it was Countrywide (Landsafe AMC). This week it is Wells Fargo (RELS AMC). The same law firm is starting the class action lawsuits.
Wells Fargo/RELS investigated - Link to news story Click here
Quote from the law firm
"Hagens Berman is investigating Wells Fargo and its appraisal subsidiary Rels Valuation based on reports the companies engaged in a rigged appraisal process.
"The firm is investigating claims that the company forces homeowners to use its appraisal firm, Rels Valuation, which then turns around and subcontracts the work to independent appraisers while charging homeowners an inflated fee for the work."
"Reports say independent appraisers are forced to work for below market value while Rels Valuation significantly inflates the cost of the work for homeowners, generating profits for itself and its parent, Wells Fargo." Link to law firm http://www.hagens-berman.com/WFCappraisals
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