Retention Law Center

Review: We were told that they were attorneys and that [redacted] will now be our negotiator and everything we do goes through her. We signed a contract, including a a "no lender communication agreement" and gave them $3750.00 They ended up doing absolutely nothing for us, not even talking to our lender.We ended up losing the battle - and have put our house up for short sale and will be losing our home of 18 years.I have come to find out that Retention Law Center is now going by Universal Consumer Law Group and [redacted] is now "[redacted]. They are frauds that prey on the weak and vulnerable and steal our money.Desired Settlement: We signed a contract, including a a "no lender communication agreement" and gave them $3750.00They did nothing to assist us. They never communicated to our lender as they said they would. They were very rude on the phone. They told us what we wanted to hear, then when we would try to contact them, it was impossible. They kept no records. We would try to communicate via email and they refused and would always talk over the phone. They are a scam and we want our $3750 back!

Business

Response:

Customer’s Statement of the Problem:

We were told that they were attorneys and that [redacted] will now be our negotiator and everything we do goes through her. We signed a contract, including a a "no lender communication agreement" and gave them $3750.00 They ended up doing absolutely nothing for us, not even talking to our lender.We ended up losing the battle - and have put our house up for short sale and will be losing our home of 18 years.I have come to find out that Retention Law Center is now going by Universal Consumer Law Group and "[redacted]" is now "[redacted]. They are frauds that prey on the weak and vulnerable and steal our money.

I would like to address this client's concerns and bad experience. First and foremost, I would like to apologize for a negative experience and I wish every single client could get the result they want. A home is something this firm really values. The "no lender communication agreement" states that if you are to deal directly with the lender when you've hired a third party to negotiate, then we would have to automatically close the file because of the fact that you have clearly chosen to represent yourself. Any legal case you go through is never 100% guaranteed. When you are far delinquent on your mortgage payments, you have the option to pay the entire amount that you are delinquent or you can choose to hire professionals and give it one last shot. It breaks my heart that your home of 18 years is now having to go through short sale. This recession has affected far too many people including myself. But to throw accusations out there, claiming that our firm is now going by Universal Consumer Law Group, with all due respect, is false. Retention Law Center closed it's doors in March, 2014 due to the the strict guidelines that the FTC put in place, making it difficult to operate. The Federal Government originally placed these programs, such as the HAMP, for the lenders to apply since they were originally bailed out with our tax money. Now, most lenders have built solid loss mitigation departments to assist the remainder of homeowners who go through hardships.

[redacted] is no longer working for the company after the Attorneys decided to close the doors. She must be working for a new firm. Regardless, please e-mail me directly any time and I can put you through a review process and have them see what kind of refund you would be eligible for.

Review: I consulted with [redacted] and [redacted] and spoke with [redacted] aka [redacted] and also [redacted]. They assured me that they would and were able to modify my home loan. I sent them all paperwork adn requested documentation as requested and also sent them the wire transaction fees as requested ont he requested payment schedule. After numnerous calls and months passing, I would email [redacted] and she would always give me delayed ansers or never seemd on top on my case. I continued to fax bank documents as I recieved them as they requested and emailed [redacted] until the day her email address and [redacted] ([redacted]) email failed to fdelivered. All contact numbers I have on file for these people and the company was also not in service. I ahve no way of getting in contact with this company and have come to find out they are fraudulent. I contaced my bank and filled a dispute with the bank in regards to the wire transactions in total of $4500.00. My bank that has my home loan also infomred my they have not been sending in any paperwork in reference to my case or modification and therefore my request for a home modification was declined. My bank filed a request with [redacted] Bank in which Universal requested the service fees be sent to and my personal Bank infomred me that this company has closed their account with [redacted] adn withdrew all funds and to now take legal action against this company. I would like to request a total refund of $4500.00 for services I did not receive and this company being a scam. If I do not recieve a refund I will seek legal counselor and move forward with legal action against [redacted], [redacted], Rentention Law Group, [redacted] and [redacted].Desired Settlement: Full refund of $4500.00 before end of the month February 29, 2015

Review: I received a flyer in the mail about helping with mortgage if you are behind. I gave them a call and spoke to a [redacted] Jones who was the Intake Analyst, I told him my husband has lost his job of 14 years in the construction industry and that we were behind on our mortgage. [redacted] did an interview with me and my husband, and after discussing it with his firm/team, we went through the steps. Documents were faxed over and we had an interview with a [redacted], Financial Underwriter and we received a client ID number. During the interview, and while reviewing the documents, Mr [redacted] stated our income and expenses clearly show that we had a "hardship" and that we could not afford the mortgage payments. Mr. [redacted] had another interview with me and my husband where we were asked some financial questions regarding the house. Then we had to wait and see if the legal dept would sign off and take our case. At this time we were 5 months behind in the mortgage, and my husband asked if we would be able to get this delinquency absorbed, Mr [redacted] replied "yes". he also told us that the approximate mortgage payments would be $1220-1386.00 and that is what would be negotiated with the lender. We signed a contract which included a retainer of 3 monthly payments of $1250 totaling $3750. The first payment was due immediately. These payments were made and we were not getting any info from anyone. [redacted] left the company and everything died when he left. The new analyst who took over was a waste, no information, and told me to contact the senior negotiator [redacted]. This lady was the nastiest person I have ever had to deal with, one would cringe when you had to talk to her. Her emails were written in upper case and she treated you like you were stupid. I received a letter from [redacted], saying that could not get a modification as we were at the 2% rate, the negotiation should be to lower the monthly payments. I have heard nothing, I need my money to be refunded, they did nothing.Desired Settlement: I am working with [redacted] to bring my account current and working on a modification. I want my money back as United Homeowners did nothing for me, all they did was talk, talk and no action, and took my money for doing nothing. That [redacted], you cannot negotiate with that NASTY attitude, there is strong, assertive, and aggressive, these are qualities of a GOOD negotiator.

Review: [redacted] represented that they were the only way to solve my mortgage problem. They did not include and send all my income a other information to the lender as they claimed they would. I had to file bankruptcy to prevent the sale of my house and start the process over again with my lender since [redacted] did not turn ver all of my income and my modification was denied based upon income.Desired Settlement: I am not asking for the amount I had to use to file bankruptcy, only the portion of my social security disability settlement I paid them to do work that they did not do. That amount is 4267.17

Review: Universal Consumer Law Group sent me a letter stating they could help with my mortgage negotiation. I contact them in August, was sent a contract, which I signed, assigning them as my representation. I sent them over $3000 over the course of 4 months. I spoke to [redacted], the Senior Negotiator in October; she told me my file was completely up to date and they would be contacting me about the settlement. The told me they were hoping to reduce the mortgage percentage rate to 2% and get the mortgage in my name. I divorced on 10/17/2014; the mortgage is a VA loan belonging to my former spouse. I tried contacting the Universal Consumer Law Group this morning and their numbers have been disconnected. I received a notice from Wells Fargo, my mortgage lender, stating they have not been able to get in touch with the Law Group and so have removed them as my legal representation and have removed the cease and desist order which prevented Wells Fargo from contacting me. I am quite concerned that I have become a victim of a scam.Desired Settlement: Obviously, my first desire is that the job be completed. However, I have little confidence at this point that this company is legitimate. I would like my money back so I can secure real legal assistance. Ultimately I would like to see these people held accountable for taking advantage of a person in a difficult situation.

Review: Hi

My name is [redacted] and I mess lead and had my hard earned money taken by to different companies I think?

One is a company called united home owner advocates and the other is called universal law group I started working

with a [redacted] at the first company and he said that they could help get me back on track with my mortgage on my home

all I had to do is fill out just these forms he sent in a email and deposit 1150.00 into this universal law group account by the end of May which I

did and he would get back in-touch with me in a week will after two weeks I did not hear from him I sent emails and left phone messages for almost two months

finally a [redacted] from same company said that he was taken over [redacted]`s clients and that the law group was suppost to get in-touch with me

and to start sending more installments so I sent another 650.00 to this universal law group and hear nothing again until about two weeks later and [redacted] said he

was sending an email with more of the same paper work so I talked to some other people who gave me some legal information so I called [redacted]. and told him to cancel

and I told him I wanted my money back. And then this is what I sent asking for my refund because it started out as a modificationDesired Settlement: I would like our money back due to ALL the miscommunication and no response from emails and phone messages

Review: Contacted Retention Law Center to assist me as I was facing foreclosure. Mr. Gold advised they could help me and all I had to pay was $3450.00 in 3 monthly installments. He emailed me each month to remind me to make the payment and then to fax a copy of the receipt to him. Dealt with Ms. [redacted] and she gave incomplete information on how to file for bankruptcy in my state. She also forgot to advise you have to take a credit counseling course before filing. She told me she would wait until the bankruptcy was final and deal with my mortgage company. The information received from Retention Law Center stated that my loan balance and monthly payment WILL be reduced. This did not happen. Sometime in August they closed my file out without contacting me. When I emailed them a response was left on my voicemail that the file was closed in August and they had contacted me in September with payment arrangements. No so. Why would you contact someone in September if you closed their file out in August? I have sent a letter to them, and several emails and have heard nothing from them. They are scammers that go after the elderly ( I am 77). Now I will probably lose my home because I trusted them to deal with my mortgage company and to advise me. If Ms. [redacted] is an attorney and is so knowing about bankruptcies, why did she not advise me of the credit counseling course and why did she tell me to file in my county court house. In North Carolina there are only 3 places to file bankruptcy. I have tried calling them but do not get an answer. If they would do as stated in my information sent that they could get my mortgage balance reduced to only 70% of what is owed I could get a reverse mortgage. This is so dishearting for me and I have no place to go as I have no family left.Ms. [redacted] told me not to pay any of my monthly payments until she could get it settled and now I owe $50,000 in back mortgage payments.Desired Settlement: Have them do what was promised to me. Reduce my loan balance to 70% of the loan balance (roughly $282000) and reduce my monthly payments to $1482 as stated in their correspondence. If this is done I can get a reverse mortgage and not lose my home. STOP THE FORECLOSURE ON MY HOME. I filed for bankruptcy as requested by [redacted] and then they drop me.

Business

Response:

"Reduce my loan balance to 70% of the loan balance"

[redacted]:

A principle balance reduction is in the hands of the lender and their appraisers. No third party has the power to bring down your principal. This is not something that we have control over. No case is ever guaranteed. This is why we mention that throughout the process. When you are already many months delinquent, the capability of bringing your payments down and reducing the principal balance is a risk. Unfortunately, your case was one of the few that ended up insolvent. If you would like to speak with our compliance department, please feel free to contact us to see what your options are.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,

This response does not address my questions: 1. Why was my file closed out 8/16/2013 when I had just paid them $1150. on 8/14. They sent emails reminding me that my payment was due for September and October. Which I paid on 9/11 and 10/11. NO MENTION OF FILE BEING CLOSED. In other words, they took my money and did NOTHING.

Business

Response:

This client's file was closed out to non-compliance of documentation. [8/23/2013 at 8:43 a.m.: Notes: Lack of documentation, File on hold]

File was never closed out. It was placed a hold. Contact your Sr. Negotiator to reactive your case. Homeowner was months delinquent prior to Processing Agreement signed. Refer to the retainer agreement, which states that we require documentation to continue the case. Unfortunately, no case is guaranteed. We will gladly put client through review process to see what refund, if any, is to be provided. Contact your assigned case manager.

Review: We where contacted by Retention Law Center via. malt letter. They told us they could help save our home from foreclosure. My wife and I where in the process of filing a short sale to get rid of the house when we got this letter. We contacted the Law center and provided the required information. After providing the information we where contacted by the representatives to verify the information. They stated to us we where qualified for a modification and they would be able to help us. After being transferred to another rep. who informed us we would need to make payments to the law firm as proof that we would be able to make the payments of the modification. Which we made to the sum of $4262.24. Only to go to court and contact our 3rd account manager who told this is part of the process and she would be in touch. Well we didn't hear from her and contacted her multiple times and finally she responded to tell us they couldn't help. I contacted our original point of contact, [redacted] who after some tries and angry emails refers us to a compliance manager [redacted]. who told us he was going to send our request for refund to their legal department for review who of course denied our refund. I contacted [redacted] multiple times and hadn't received a response . After my last attempt telling him I was contacting [redacted] and the [redacted] did he respond. He stated he was going to resubmit it to the legal dept. and to give him 5 days. We haven't heard from him again. I wrote to [redacted] stating we would compensate them for their work by offering them $500 from the requested refund of $4262.24. Leaving us asking for a refund of $3762.24. We felt the $500 was a fair price for the services they didn't provide . I told [redacted] he would have to respond to our request by Thursday Sept. 11th 2014 or I would file with [redacted] and the [redacted]. And no response.Desired Settlement: We would like a cash refund of not less than $3762.24 giving The Retention Law Center $ 500 for work they did do. Or a Full Refund of $4262.24

Review: Was having finical problems wanted to have mortgage remodification on loan. Contacted Universal Consumer Law Group / United Homeowner Advocates Company and was accepted for mortgage loan modification. Had direct payments made from checking account in amount of $1,164.81 per month beginning April 2014 until November 2014 when I found out Company was a scam and took my money and is no longer in business. . Original mortgage company never was notified of company change, so now behind in payments with them for 1 year. Debit collector agency now involved (Owen Loan Servicing, LLC) Have explained situation to them filled out paperwork and was denied help. Facing short sell or foreclosure on property. Made in good faith payments for 8 months to company that took money and ran.Desired Settlement: Total amount they withdrew from my checking account in the amount of $9,318.48.

Review: I retained the services of Retention Law Center for a loan modification because I was laid off. I would have been financially strapped if I had to pay the same amount of mortgage when I was laid off, as when I was working, so I thought this would help me to survive until I was able to get a new job. I paid these people money that I could have used for my mortgage, and the process kept dragging on and on (for 6 months or so). When I asked why they kept asking for more bank statements etc, they said they needed the most current info for the lender. I looked to them for help because this is out of my wheelhouse, so of course I accepted what they said and provided whatever they asked for. Ultimately, on 24 Feb 2014, I received a letter via certified mail that stated my property would be for sale at an auction on 18 March 2014, which was three weeks from that date! I emailed the representative that I had last dealt with and received no response. Two days later I called and he was "out sick." I then left a message for his manager but have not received that return call either. I attempted to speak with my lender and was told that they couldn't speak to me because I had legal representation. The only way to stop the foreclosure sale is to file bankruptcy, which was not in the plan, and obviously costs more money. I am still not working, and I could use the $4377 that I paid Retention Law Center, for bills etc. I want people to know that these people are obviously scamming innocent people that are in need of assistance. This is disgusting and wrong on so many levels!!Desired Settlement: I would like a refund if at all possible. I am forced to file bankruptcy whether I keep my house or not because my credit is now affected. I have a clearance and bankruptcy is the only way to keep my clearance from being suspended/revoked for financial irresponsibility. I think a class action law suit should also be brought against this company because they are committing fraud against unsuspecting consumers.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted]:

We apologize on whatever company's behalf that you had to be put in a tough position like this. Unfortunately, you are not a client of 'Retention Law Center' based on our records. But you did not end up here on accident, so we would like to investigate with you who charged this retainer from you. Please provide us a detailed explanation of the name of the "agent" you were speaking with. If possible, please submit a copy of the retainer agreement that you signed originally to be retained by the companies services.

Consumer

Response:

Legal Department/ Wells Fargo Bank

Re: Cease and Desist Letter

Borrower: [redacted]

Loan #: [redacted]

To whom it may concern at Wells Fargo Bank:

As of 9/6/2013 [redacted] with reference to

Loan # [redacted] , has retained Retention Law Center as Legal Counsel. All communications

pertaining to the above referenced Loan Number must strictly go through our office.

Furthermore, please update our client’s/your borrower’s mailing address to reflect the address

listed below. All telephone calls, letters, and emails as well as any other form of communication

will ONLY be allowed to our office. Please also advise everyone in your office to NOT stop the

review process for the loan modification simply because of this Cease and Desist letter being

placed on file. This letter shall serve to inform you that all contact with this borrower via

telephone, should now cease.

If all communication with our client(s) [redacted]

does not cease and this request is not granted to its fullest of intent, we will take any and all

necessary legal actions against you in order to protect our Client’s best interest. Thank you for

your attention regarding this matter. Contact information for this office is as follows:

Retention Law Center

2312 Park Ave., Suite 608

Tustin, CA 92782

Very truly yours,

Retention Law Center

Review: this law firm which I retained to represent me in a legal matter can no longer be reached all there contact information is no longer in service. lost a bunch of moneyDesired Settlement: would like a refund of my money for the service they never finished

Review: Back in August of 2013, We received a letter and a call from Retention Law Center regarding acquiring a Loan Modification for my home loan. We had to go this route because my husband has seasonal work and the last few Winters have been brutal financially. From August till October we sent them 3 installments for a grand total of $3,495.00 for them to start and complete the process of lowering our Mortgage payment. They informed us that we were not to speak to our Mortgage company regarding this and that they would do all the communication and correspondence. They also informed us that by November 2013, our mortgage payment would be lowered. On September 12, 2013, we received a letter from our Mortgage Company stating that they have updated their records to reflect Retention Law Center representing us. We have sent many personal documents to Retention Law and as of January started sending documents to 2 people @advancedlp.net. Latest documentation/correspondence I have from AdvancedLP.net is early May, 2014. As of today, May 30, 2014, our home mortgage has been sent to a law firm to follow through with Foreclosure Proceedings and we are filing for Bankruptcy. I also tried to contact Retention Law Center directly today and the phone numbers and emails are invalid. I am afraid they have closed their doors and I will not receive our money back.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of the $3,495. I am fully aware that since we are filing Bankruptcy, the $3,495 will go to the trustee of our case to pay towards our bills.

Business

Response:

After careful investigation and reviewing our records, we do not have a client by that name on file. Please provide us with the following information:

1) Name of your Case Manager

2) Name of Sr. Underwriter

3) Bank Account # you paid to

4) Name of your Sr. Processor

5) Name of the Attorney from your case

I will need this information to investigate further into this. Unfortunately, there are companies out there who misrepresent themselves using a legitimate company name. The red flag came up when you said that you started sending documents to '@advancedlp.net'... Your Processor's e-mail should've been @retentionlawcenter.com

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

It is absurd that they have never heard of us or had us as client. I have the information that they requested.

1. Case Manager - [redacted] - Legal Assistant [redacted][email protected] Case ID = [redacted]

2. Senior Underwriter - [redacted] - [redacted]@advancedlp.net

3. Contacts : [redacted] accounting manager - [redacted]@retentionlawcenter.net

[redacted]z, [redacted] - Compliance Coordinator - [redacted][email protected], [redacted]t.

[redacted]All the above names were listed on a Letter of Authorization from Retention Law Center so you can not tell me that you had never heard of Advancedlp.net. One of your employees listed in the Letter of Authorization gave us that email address... SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT!!!!

4. Bank Account # paid to: Bank of America #[redacted]3 Account Name ; Retention Law Center

Payments made via wire transfer on 8/29/2013; 10/4/2013; 11/7/2013

5. Attorney assigned to our case: Law offices of Angela Mueller. Never had any contact from the Law Office.

Additional contacts - [redacted]z [redacted]@advancedlp.net; [redacted] - [redacted]@advancedlp.net; [redacted]s - [redacted]@advancedlp.net;

Regards,

Business

Response:

[redacted]:

You will need to contact Law Offices of [redacted] for your refund. That's who you were a client of. We are not associated with Law Offices of [redacted]. As a matter of fact, any of those names you've listed on there are not employees, affiliates, or agents of Retention Law Center. Hopefully, they will resolve it with you.

After looking into it, here is the information I have found for you:

Call: 855-222-8389

http://muelleratlaw.com/

http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/[redacted]

Angela Mueller Bar License #: [redacted]

Let me know if you have any questions.

This company scammed me out of $4400 to do a loan modification in order to lower my monthly mortgage payments. I have since found out that it is completely free to do with my company and we almost lost our house since United Home Owner Advocates faked a call with my mortgage company asking for permission to discuss our loan. Now my emails are being returned and phone calls are blocked.