Charles Fine, Esq.

Caveat emptor! Buyer beware! No help at all in tax lien foreclosure court proceedings. I'd be homeless if I relied on fine law office! I'm a disabled senior. A cancer survivor. Living with two chronic, debilitating diseases for which there is currently no known cure. My home is in tax lien foreclosure in the nyssc due to my chronic illnesses and forced involuntary retirement. Was referred to the fine law firm, foreclosure defense attorneys, in melville ny, for legal representation. Called them on 5/1/18. An operator told me, “one of our attorneys will call you back shortly”. Later that day, I received a call from phil c. I explained in specific detail my medical, financial and current legal situation. He told me, “not to worry”, that he and his firm would be able to help me in my nyssc tax lien foreclosure proceeding. That he would ask the court for an adjournment of the court hearing scheduled for the end of may in order to delay the foreclosure date. That he would speak to the plaintiff, the tax lien holder, on my behalf. That he would file an opposition to the plaintiff's current motion. That he would file a motion to either appeal or vacate the judge's summary foreclosure judgment. Every document that was requested for my defense in opposition to the foreclosure was promptly sent by e-mail and/or fax. For the next 14 days there was near constant daily phone/e-mail contact with phil c. On 5/15/18, the week before my scheduled hearing date, phil c. Began ignoring my phone calls and e-mails. Phil c. And fine law office never followed through on their promise to represent me at my nys supreme court tax lien foreclosure proceedings scheduled for the end of may. Chronic illnesses, notwithstanding, I had to handle the matter by myself. Contacted the judge's chamber's and the plaintiff to secure an adjournment. Still need to find legal representation. After phil c. Stopped communicating with me I decided to look up his nys attorney licensing date and also to find out if there had ever been any disciplinary action taken against him for misrepresentation. There is no record in nys of a licensed attorney named phil c.

Review: I have a motrage problem, my Girl friend gave me this [redacted] that she here on the radio.I call the # and I spoke with [redacted].

he set up an oppointment ,a man name [redacted] came to my lady house in Queens, I outline the sitution to him, telling him that my x is no were about, he said doun't worry about it. he say the total cost is $3500. I think is was june * so by july * there would be a $1000. I went back to atlanta Ga. a lady call me from the office, asking me to fax bank statement, pay stub, I leave her a message that I will scan them.

after about a week I call, she said she have not recieved them, anyway when she did she cannot open the file.she send me a em asking me for my x info.I told her what I tell [redacted] @ the first meeting . in her em she said she cannot help me!! I came back to nyc for doctor

treatment,a lady call my girlfriend ph, from the office and she was very rude to her. and she hung up the ph. [redacted] also leave me a very rude message too. now we deside that we cannot do business with people who desrespect us. so we tell them we need our money back.[redacted] leave me a message saying I have to write to fine Law firm . we did fallow the instructions , we got a letter to day and $437.0 have been taken out of my $1500. mark you thay did not do a think. we need bal of $437 ASAP

Business

Response:

In reference to this complaint by [redacted] , [redacted] contracted with our law firm to assist him with a foreclosure matter and was seeking a loan modification.He met with one of our intake reps and misrepresented his standing with the mortgage lender.He claimed to be one of the mortgagees and had claimed that an ex girlfriend was the other.He also claimed at the time of contract that he would locate the ex-girlfriend and promptly submit the required financial documents and authorizations. subsequently, he was phoning the office numerous times per day with different versions of what he was able to do and not to do. He finally admitted to our office that he was unable to contact the mortgage holder and she was intentionally avoiding him. After tremendous confusion and his inability to provide us with the documentation that he originally agreed to supply(as per written and signed retainer)we informed him that we were immediately refunding him minus the legal hours which we meticulously documented. In addition, he was verbally abusive to office staff and was consuming valuable office time.

Our law firm is proud of its reputation and we take every client seriously and we bill only for time and work performed .All of our clients are pre-screened and unfortunately this was a result of misrepresentation and frustration on the part of [redacted].

Review: I am currently behind with my mortgage. I was on my way to work one day and I heard this law firm describing a situation just like mine. The rep. for the firm claim they were able to help that person, so I gave them a called and set up an appointment. we had an agreement of me pay them $3500 for their service. they collected $2500 and did not even contact my lender. they keep changing their story to each phone conversation we had. I had to certified the mail for them to admit that they were getting the documents. one day I got an email from one of the staff stating, I need to pay them or someone else for another service before they can move forward. I told them that was not the agreement, and I don't have that kind of money, so I will take my money back. [redacted] tried to convince me to come to his office and he will give me a discount. I sad no thanks. he told me I will get my money back, but since then they will not take my calls. I sent them email demanding my money and certified mail but they refuse to return my money.Desired Settlement: I need [redacted] to return my money to me.

Business

Response:

[redacted] entered into a retainer agreement with us for $3,500 dollars and did not provide us (per the retainer and a separate addendum) with all the necessary bank documentation needed to complete her submission.Her file was reviewed extensively by myself and my staff and when she became frustrated over bank guidelines and requirements, she opted to cancel her contract. We performed in excess of 6 legal hours on her file and on my last conversation with her I agreed to review the file and forward her the appropriate refund. I am faxing over to you the letter she received on Sept. [redacted] and you will see that we have acted in good faith and she will be receiving a refund check the week of October [redacted]. It was our goal to assist her with her mortgage issues, however we cannot create our own rules and exceptions regarding bank stipulations. We wish her success going forward and hope that the letters I am faxing you are self explanatory regarding our intentions.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

I am still waiting on [redacted] to refund my money to me.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

These people at fine law are so dishonest. They took $2500.00 out my account for a service they did not provide as agreed to. I was tired of their two timing story, so a ask them back for my money. [redacted] called me after getting my letter and was trying to convince me to come in and work something out with him. I told him I did not retain them to remove my co- barrower off my deed. I reminded him that they told me they could help me modified my loan, and with all the lies I was not able to trust them, so I want my money back. [redacted] told me I was entitled for a full refund and then he hang up the phone. I have been contacting these people since then and no answer. After Revdex.com contacted them, I got the first letter stating I will get the refund by 10/**/13. today I came home he only send a check for $918.75. [redacted] claim that's all I'm getting back. This is robbery.

Business

Response:

this client was refunded out of good faith based on the retainer that was signed. The client was non-compliant and became frustrated in the middle of the long ardous process thats necessary to obtain mortgage assistance .We document all work performed and she was billed based on actual hours of work performed and we did not pursue the balance of monies owed based on breach of contract and chose to take the high road . We will be happy to disclose to the Revdex.com proof of all work performed.