FTC takes action against Consumer Advocates Group (and all it's other names)
Can you say negative stars for these scammers? http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/1123137/index.shtm from the Federal Trade Commission Site.The BBB of Southern California has more details. http://www.la.bbb.org/business-reviews/Loan-Modifications/Consumer-Advocates-Group-Experts-LLC-in-Glendale--CA-100099294 Here are the names listed in the FTC action: Consumer Advocates Group Experts, LLC; Consumer Advocates Group; Paramount Asset Management Corp.; National Financial Rescue Corp.; National Financial Rescue Group; American Forensic Loan Auditors; Advocates for Consumer Affairs Expert, LLC; Ryan Zimmerman; Injunction granted by the court June 7, 2012. This is from Mable B here on Trustlink reporting on one of the "dba" names: "Anyone taken advantage of by ACA should call 503-294-9928 Colleen Rushton of Grassmueck GAroup, P.O. Box 3649, Portland, OR 97208. Thier fax is 503-334-1555 FTC Case no. CV12-04736DP. Federal Trade Commission now investigating for FRAUD and ceased all assests. Ms. Rushton states they are handling all affairs for ACE while the investigation continues. You need to give them all your information so they can update you on what is going on." I called Ms. Rushton. spoke with her today 6/21/12, and if you were robbed by these thieves, you definitely should fax any information to her; contact info for yourself, when the scam started, a short statement of what happened. If the FTC wants more info from you, they will contact you.
Posted on 6/21/2012
|
DO NOT USE THIS "SERVICE" - THEY ARE A SCAM.
This company has just stolen money from my parents - a couple married 50 years, both fighting chronic illness on a fixed income, and one an honorably retired Viet Nam veteran. CAG promised assistance with their mortgage, and after receiving their $1200 payment, promptly took the money and ran. It was recently covered in the local news: ( http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-couple-says-mortgage-relief-company-stole-their-money-20120614,0,1474902.story )
It takes a special kind of scum to steal from seniors, and you can bet this will not go unanswered. Don't be victimized by their scam!
Posted on 6/15/2012
|
CAG/ACA Scam - DONT DO IT - ILLEGAL PRACTICE
CONSUMER ADVOCATES GROUP / ADVOCATES FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS
looks this company(CAG) is no longer and now ACA is the company.
ADVOCATES FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS is a company looks like it started back in DEC/2011 after CAG - please go there and post your comments. These guys are posting FAKE REVIEWS like you would not believe continuing to scam more people.
It is unlawful to accept fees upfront for a loan modifcation - do your research
CA LAW SB 94:
SUMMARY Would prohibit persons from charging advance fees to
borrowers in connection with the modification of the terms of
the borrower's loan, require those who wish to charge a fee for
loan modification services (after performing them) to provide a
specified notice to borrowers regarding other options available
to the borrower, prohibit servicers from imposing any interest
or charge for performing services for borrowers in connection
with loan modifications or other forms of loan forbearance of
forgiveness; and close a loophole in the California Finance
Lenders Law.
HOTLINE LOAN MOD VICTIMS: 1-888-995-HOPE - please call if you were scammed
If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, you should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) for
Posted on 5/9/2012
|
CAG
I was also ripped off by CAG out of West LA, CA. $2500, mortgage foreclosure in process. If anybody knows where we can locate these people, please let me know. I am looking into filing a class-action suit if anyone would like to join and put these criminals out of business.
Posted on 5/7/2012
|
Ripped, not in the good way
I also signed up with a $2000.00 fee for a mortgage modification. Before we even got started I had to go in for a very serious brain surgery and was long in recovery. Now I am well and ready to continue on my modification and like most others, I can not get anyone to answer the phone, respond to emails, nothing, have been trying for three weeks. I have a meeting with the attorney generals office next week to initiate a formal complaint. I did and do want the mortgage mod but will settle for a refund. Be smart, if you have not given them any money DON'T.
Posted on 4/17/2012
|
No contact, No email, No phones No response
Back in Aug. 2011 we were contact by consumer Advocates group after a failed loan modification with Bank of America. We were promised with a letter from their underwriter that if we had no modification after 60 days that we were to get our money back.
Surprise!!! Here we are 7 months later and we can get no one to call, email, fax or even a letter. They have a phone system that must flag your phone numbers because you can never get a hold of anyone and the phone will not go to a voicemail. Last time I called the phone rang for 15 minutes before I had to hang up!
When we signed up we did our research, the reports we saw in the magazines were all positive. Only thing I can think of is this group is not the same one that is mention in all those articles.
Save your money, do not sign up with them!!! Even when they Promised with the letter it means nothing. If I could rate a ZERO that is what I would do!!!
Posted on 4/17/2012
|
DO NOT TRUST CAG
I paid $2000 right before Christmas. They offered me $524, per month, by January 2012. I received an eviction notice, so we have to be out of the house by May 28th. At this point, I just want my refund. I am unable to contact them via phone, fax or email. After I posted my complaint, they sent an email that simply stated, "Did you just post this about our company?". I asked for a refund more than a few times and they finally responded with, "No". It's horrible they would do this to people that are already struggling and they are getting away with it. I have also contacted the media, BBB and other complaint websites. Nathan Cass contacted me and he was a great guy...then he got my money and disappeared. I really can't beleive these people can get away with this.
Posted on 4/3/2012
|
These guys keep ripping people off under multiple entities;$3mm+ over the last 4 years
Most recently, they've used American Forensic Loan Auditors, Consumer Advocates Group LLC, Compliance Audit Group, Secured Audit Group, Fidelity Financial Group, and Law Offices of B. Halloway. it's illegal in California to collect any up front fees for modification services and forensic audits are modification services. The BBB has a complaint on this company that alleges that the complainant paid them advance fees in exchange for modification services and they didn't get a modification, and can't get a refund. The BBB gives them an F rating.
Posted on 3/9/2012
|
A Sham
We paid CAG $2800.00 and they have not helped us at all. They won't return calls, emails or letters. We are in pre-forecloser because of them. We just want our money back. We cannot afford to be throwing away $2800.00. Thanks
Posted on 3/3/2012
|
Brian Mitchell
After sending numerous e mails and leaving several phone messages, the head criminal, Brian Mitchell called me back and told me he was out of town. I guess he was out of town for months because that's how
long it's been since I've received
so much as an bogus update. The head criminal had the nerve to tell me my case had been taken care of 5 months ago. And that I was too stupid to realize that. I guess Bank Of America is just as stupid because they have no idea what the head criminal is talking about. And just to let you
know how professional this company is, before abruptly hanging up the head criminal said to me " don't email us anymore
you f****** Hillbilly. I guess it's his opinion that people from Texas are hillbillies. So if anyone is considering using this bunch of criminals, please reconsider
Posted on 2/29/2012
|
SCAMMERS
I just want everyone to know these guys are a bunch of liars and theifs. They take advantage of desperate people in desperate situations,who are just trying to get some help. I urge all of you people who got scammed to contact the California Attorney Generals office and fill out a claims form and do the same thing on BBB so we get these guys caught and thrown in jail like the criminals they are. Nathan Cass is the person I talked to the most, he told me everything I wanted to hear and promised me he would help my family out. All he did is steal money from me. Don't fall into there trap!!
Posted on 2/26/2012
|
"CRIMINALS"
They told us they were going to do a Forensic Loan Modification. We paid them $2,500.00 and now we can not get in touch with them. It has been 5 months and when we call it says press * to go to voice mail. We have left numerous voice mails and no one has called back. If you don't hit * the phone just rings and rings. No one answers. They are CRIMINALS and I have reported them to every agency available.
Posted on 2/17/2012
|
RIP OFF
I hired them in July 2011 to assist in my modification. Nathan Cass told me it would be easy,considering what happened in my city ie, Hurricane Katrina. I sent him $1900 and he tried to dip in to get more, but I caught that! I sent all my paperwork in the day it was requested. Of course, after they received the money, he no longer answered or returned my calls. In Dec. 2011, I called them to tell them the mortgage company sent me an offer, but it was to increase my monthly payment. I finally got someone on the phone!! It was Jen, who was supposed to be a supervisor. She told me that they had sent papers to reconsider on Jan. 10, 2012 and not to call again. I should email instead. I told her I have repeatedly emailed with no response. Also, they state the website would be updated every two weeks when mine wasnt updated for almost two months.
Well, shocker, she lied! The mortgage company has foreclosed on me since they didnt get a response from Consumer Advocates! They attempted to contact them several times, but when received no response, they closed my file.
THIS PLACE IS A SCAM!!!
Posted on 2/15/2012
|
MAJOR SCAM BUSINESS
Consumer Advocates Group is a criminal operation.
They operate outside the boundaries of the law by violating SB-94.
They violate both federal and state laws pertaining to collecting fees in adavance of doing any work regarding real estate loans, Forensic Loan Audits, Loan Modifications and Foreclosure Avoidance. Regardless of what they state they are not allowed to request any monies up front until they perform their work.
They use a website for all their communciations and rarely if ever answer the phone and they never answer emails. They refuse to provide the names of management and/or the owners.
They were operating illegally in California in 2010 and did not register with the CA dept of state for business licensing until late in December 2010.
They commit to return any monies if they are not successful in negotiating a successful loan modification. I signed on with CAG in June 2010 to assist in a loan modification, they committed that it would be easy to do in my case as there was still significant equity in my home.
The truth be told they contacted my lender GMAC only one time in July 2010 to notify GMAC that they would be acting on my behalf for loan modification. They continually requested additional documentation from me regarding my loan which I always provided by FAX within 24 hours. Only when GMAC started foreclosure proceedings did I discover that CAG did not do any work whatsoever.
At that point in july 2011 I began to request my fees returned. I got no response until Novemeber 2011 that the processing of my fee return was tied up in HR. I have received no refund to date. I have disclosed this information to the BBB and State Attorney General both of which have not been able to even contact CAG as they do not answer their phones or mail.
I contacted an attorney who has also been unable to serve anyone any papers at CAG because no one is in charge. Small claims court will not process a filing until I have an individual to serve.
DO NOT FALL FOR THE SAME SCAM THAT SO MANY OF US HAVE, ANAY POSITIVE REVIEWS ARE THOSE POSTED DBY CAG STAFF AND COULD NOT BE REAL WORLD CONSUMERS.
Posted on 2/7/2012
|
Biggest Scam Of The Century
How dare these animals take advantage of people who are so down and desperate. We're on the verge of losing our home...the place where we live. Out of work and short of money...they sounded so understanding and willing to help us with a money-back guarantee if they couldn't do anything for us. Well, once they cash your check, you can kiss them good-bye! The rep that first handled your account is always in a meeting or on another line and never calls you back. Then you can't get in touch with them for days and days. Do not give these people one cent! They are liars and thieves and are incredibly despicable. My poor wife has been crying for a week now!
They get minus ten stars from me!
Posted on 1/22/2012
|
Information to those doing business with this company!
The best thing for you to do if you are dealing with Consumer Advocates Group is to contact the following agencies: California Attorney General, California State Bar, Dept. of Real Estate(DRE), and the Federal Trade Commission(FTC). This company will do nothing for you. There is strength in numbers, so let show them.
Posted on 1/22/2012
|
CONSUMER ADVOCATES GROUP IS NOT A SCAM!!!!
I want to let everyone know what an amazing job Consumer advocates group did for me and my family. We were on our last days of hope when I called CAG. Wachovia decided they wanted to sell my property. CAG stepped in and STOPPED the sale. They got us into a great Forbearance agreement. On completetion of our 3 month trial payments we received a super low 30 yr fixed mortgage at 3%. This firm is great! Thank you Candace and all the gals in processing for SAVING OUR PRECIOUS HOME! Warm Regards, John Thompson.
Posted on 1/19/2012
|
RIP OFF REPORT!
DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE ANY MONEY! ONCE THEY GET YOUR MONEY THEY ARE DONE WITH YOU! THEY OFFER A 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. BUT JUST TRY GETTING YOUR MONEY BACK! THEY WILL NOT ANSWER ANY OF YOUR PHONE CALLS. IF YOU HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF I HIGHLY RECOMEND YOU CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE OF CALIFORNIA AND FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO PEOPLE. THEY HAVE NO INTEGRITY!I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED. I ALSO HAVE EMAIL COMMUNICATION RECORDS TO DOCUMENT ALL FACTS.I AM ALSO FILING A CLAIM IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT TO TRY AND RECOVER THE $1000 I PAID THEM. THEY DID NOTHING ON MY BEHALF OTHER THAN SUBMIT DOCUMENTS THAT I HAD ALREADY SUBMITTED MYSELF PREVIOUSLY.CERTAINLY NOT WORTH THE $1000 THEY TOOK FROM ME. I DELT WITH MICHAEL ANDERSON AND BRIAN MITCHELL BOTH ARE NOTHING MORE THAN CON ARTISTS.DONT BE FOOLED BY THEIR FANCY WEB SITE OR THEIR EMPTY PROMISES. I WOULD ALSO QUESTION THE SOURCE OF ALL THE POSITIVE REVIEWS ON THIS WEB SITE OR ANY OTHERS.
Posted on 1/12/2012
|
ONE MORE TO THE LIST OF BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE SCAMERS!
SCAM, SCAM, SCAM,SCAM, SCAM. DONT FALL FOR THEIR LIES!!!!!
As I was reading other reviews this people are a total scam & fraud! Sadly It was too late before I realized that.I worked with Ryan Harris who also promised me everything under the sun, And he was calling me often to get the money & as soon as I gave the $ he stop calling. The only good they are good at is ASKING MONEY & promising nothing but lies. The last thing he said when I called & cancelled everything & ask a refund was take a look at your file and see THE WORK WE DID! Guess what,, it was all posted by CANDACE the very same day I called to cancell it all. Anyways, I think we all have to file complaints and hope that some day they ALL GO TO JAIL WHERE THEY BELONG.
If I had lots of money I would sue them good. In the mean time, I have filed a complaint with the state and see what they can do. I also learned that they are NOT supposed to ask money before getting any results. So they are in violation of the law. And they also are an unlicensed company. Dont fall for it people. Im not removing this unless I get my refund.
SCAM, SCAM, SCAM, SCAM, SCAM. THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 1/12/2012
|
bull
All of these are made up fake reviews. If you want the real truth go to the bbb website and check these guys out..They will steal your money and when they get it good luck getting it back or even getting in contact with them. they are a fraud and scam company stay away far far away.......
Posted on 1/12/2012
|
|