Granite Law

Our firm stands by its initial response. It is undoubted that our office did not send notice of our withdrawal to the client's lender until after submitting her modification application. Her modification request was submitted to her lender on September 26, 2013. The withdrawal notice was submitted on September 27, 2013. It cannot be determined why the client's lender has indicated otherwise to the client. The withdrawal letter was sent to the client's lender in an effort to ensure that communication between the lender and the client would be free from complications, to facilitate an expedited processing of her modification request. 
 
We would of course still like to reach an amenable conclusion to this matter with the client. However, that requires that she contact us.

One of our staff attorney’s spoke with the client on July 1,
2014. On that day, our office offered a courtesy refund in the amount of
$250.00 to the client. She advised our staff attorney that she would need to
discuss the offer with her husband, and would get back in touch with her. Our
staff attorney provided the client her direct contact number. We have yet to
hear back from the clients in regards to the refund offered.
Our office is willing to work out a resolution with the
clients, and will attempt to contact them one more time in order to resolve
this issue.

We stand by our response. Mr.[redacted] is entitled to his own opinion but he is not entitled to his own facts.  As always we remain willing to resolve this matter in a reasonable manner whenever he seeks to do so. We will gladly take his call and discuss the matter further.

We are surprised to be receiving this complaint, as
the clients retained us over a year ago, and our office has not heard from the
clients since August 2013. However, we would like to...

reach an amicable
conclusion to this matter.
The clients hired our firm to conduct an analysis of
their financial situation and to have a consultation with one of our staff
attorneys regarding that analysis, as well as our office contacting the
client’s lender in order to advocate for a postponement of the sale date
pending on client’s property, as is stated in the retainer agreement that the
clients signed on January 4, 2013. The clients paid a retainer fee of $750 on
January 4, 2013 in contemplation of this service. The clients pending sale date
was postponed by their lender to March 15, 2013. As such, the scheduled
attorney consultation did not take place as it was moot.
However, the clients decided to hire our office to
prepare and submit a modification request to their lender, as set forth in the second
retainer agreement that they signed on or about January 24, 2013. The $750
retainer fee that was paid when the clients retained our office for assistance
with sale date postponement was credited towards this new retainer. We also
received retainer payments in the amount of $500 on January 31, 2013 and $500
on February 19, 2013, totaling $1750.00 in contemplation of completing all of
the services for which we were hired. We fulfilled all of our obligations under
the retainer agreement. We prepared a loan solution package for the client and
submitted it to the clients’ lender on their behalf. That is what the client
hired us to do.
A member of our staff spoke with the clients on
January 31, 2013 and on February 18, 2013 and further explained the scope of
services for which the client hired our office. During these calls our staff
stressed that time was of the essence because of the pending sale date. On
February 20, 2013 our office sent the clients needed to be signed as well as a
list of supporting documents required to complete the modification application.
Again, we stressed that time was of the essence. We requested the necessary
documentation from the clients and repeatedly contacted the clients in regards
to returning the documentation.
On February 25, 2013 we received only partial documents
from the clients. We called the clients to advise them that we still needed the
rest of the documentation requested. On February 27, 2013 we had still not
received all of the documents needed. We called the clients and reminded them
that it was crucial to get a complete application to their lender as soon as
possible.
On March 4, 2013 we called the clients, having not
heard from them and having not received all of the documentation needed, and
advised them that all documents needed to be sent to us the same day. After
receiving this call from us, the clients sent some, but not all, of the
requested documentation needed to complete their modification application. We
then emailed the clients advising that we would send the application package as
partially complete as it needed to be sent to the lender within the investor’s
timeline for review due to the pending sale date.
On May 28, 2013 a member of our staff spoke with the
clients, and they stated that their lender informed them that the application
was incomplete and needed certain items on their forms. We advised the client
that it was incomplete because the clients did not provide all the documents requested.
However, as a courtesy to the clients we sent an updated application to the
client’s lender on the lender requested forms.
We did not hear back from the clients until August
1, 2013, when they contacted our office requesting a refund. Our policy
regarding refunds is to return any unused portion of the retainer fee paid if
we have not fully completed the services for which we were hired. In this case,
we fully performed our services as set forth in the retainer agreement that the
clients signed.
However, we take every client’s situation very
seriously.  It is our policy that when a
client requests a refund of retainer fees that if no refund is due, that the
client completes a refund questionnaire so that our legal and accounting
departments can adequately investigate the matter. In this case our office
mailed a refund questionnaire to the clients on August 2, 2013. We have not
heard from the clients since then. We of course are still interested in
reaching an amicable solution to this matter, but cannot move forward until the
clients return the completed refund questionnaire.

Revdex.com:
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.
I am attaching a response to Granite Law's message.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: Once I paid the fee that was required to have them represent me on getting my home modification done they sent a letter to the bank stating that they no longer represented me, they had me make several calls and do everything myself which resulted in me being denied a modification or refinance. I am in worse shape now due to losing the money I paid for this company to do nothing.Desired Settlement: I would love to receive a refund but know that this will not happen. I want others to understand what happened and hope that no one else if dumb enough to fall for this scam. Keep your $1750.00 and do the paperwork yourself. Granite Law does nothing to help so don't pay them! All they do is take copies of the paperwork you have to provide them with and send it to the bank your loan is through. They told me that having a law firm behind the consumer makes the banks try harder but the first thing they did was send a letter stating that they DID NOT represent me..

Business

Response:

We are surprised to be receiving this complaint, as

the client retained our firm nearly a year ago, and our office has not heard

from the client since November 2013, when we attempted to return a call to the client (and

emailed her as well). She did not contact us after that. However, we would like

to reach an amicable conclusion to this matter.

The client hired us for a very narrow and limited

purpose, as set forth in the retainer agreement that he signed on or about August

22, 2013. We received retainer payments in the amount of $1000 on August 22,

2013 and $750 on September 20, 2013, totaling $1750.00 in contemplation of

completing all of the services for which we were hired. We fulfilled all of our

obligations under the retainer agreement. We prepared a loan solution package

for the client and submitted it to the clients’ lender on their behalf. That is

what the client hired us to do.

A member of our staff spoke with the client on September

3, 2013 and further explained the scope of services for which the client hired

our office. On that same day our office sent the client the documents which needed

to be signed as well as a list of supporting documents required to complete the

modification application.

On September 13, 2013 we received only partial documents

from the client. We called the client to advise her that we still needed the

rest of the documentation requested. We received all documentation on September

17, 2013. The client paid her outstanding balance of $750 on September 20,

2013, and on September 26, 2013 our office completed the review of the client’s

loan modification application and faxed the application to the lender, as well

as mailed a copy of it to the client, thus completing the services for which we

were retained.

The client alleges that once she paid her retainer

fee, as contracted for in the retainer agreement that she signed, that our

office “sent a letter to the bank stating that they no longer represented me,

they had me make several calls and do everything myself which resulted in me

being denied a modification or refinance.” This is simply not true. We began

working on the client’s case before receiving her retainer payment AND

continued to work on the client’s case until the work we had been hired to

perform had been fully completed. Our office submitted a third party

authorization to the client’s lender on August 27, 2013, so that we could speak

on her behalf. Our office did not retract the third party authorization until

October 3, 2013, AFTER the modification application was submitted to the

client’s lender, so that the lender could communicate directly with the client,

as contracted.

The client also claims that “Granite Law does

nothing to help so don’t pay them!” This statement is not only false, it is defamatory.

We did exactly what the client retained us to do, which was to prepare and

submit a modification request on her behalf. There is no question that we fully

performed our responsibilities under the retainer agreement.

We take every client’s situation very seriously, and

are surprised that the client did not ever express her concerns directly with

us, this complaint being the first time we were made aware that she was unhappy.

We of course are interested in reaching an amicable solution to this matter,

but cannot move forward unless the client contacts us.

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.

I do not agree that they did what they said that they would do, it is true that they worked on filling the paperwork out and that they sent both my lender and I a packet but my lender received the letter stating that they no longer represented me before they received the packet. when I called and talked to [redacted] at Granite Law he informed me that they had to send that letter or my lender could not talk to me about the my case. I would also like to say that I called and talked to [redacted] on several different occasions letting him know that the lender was giving me the run around and that they said that I needed to fill out papers through them for a modification. [redacted] told me to keep calling the lender until I found someone that would work with me, after several months the lender finally called and said that I did not qualify for any help. I called [redacted] again and he said that I needed to call and talk to someone in the legal department and gave me the number. I called that number several times and could never get through and I never received a call back or an email from the company after that.

It is also true that it has been a year since this has happened but I guess it took that long for me to feel that I was scammed out of $1750.00 and I feel that if I can stop someone else from losing money that they don't have to lose it is time for me to say something. It is also true that I quit calling them, but that is only because I wasn't able to get through to anyone and never received a call back.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Our firm stands by its initial response. It is undoubted that our office did not send notice of our withdrawal to the client's lender until after submitting her modification application. Her modification request was submitted to her lender on September 26, 2013. The withdrawal notice was submitted on September 27, 2013. It cannot be determined why the client's lender has indicated otherwise to the client. The withdrawal letter was sent to the client's lender in an effort to ensure that communication between the lender and the client would be free from complications, to facilitate an expedited processing of her modification request.

Review: I found Granite Law by hearing an advertisement on my local radio station. They advertised that they would be able to save my home and lower my interest rate and save money on my monthly mortgage. It peaked my interest so I gave them a call. From what was explained is that they would represent me and become the point of contact and communication between me and my lender. I already received the modification documents from Chase bank. Granite Law pretty much asked me about all of my personal information and had me send them my loan application along with $1700. I didn't have the entire $1700 so I sent broken down payments. A week later they reviewed my application and told me they will submit all the documents to my bank after I make my final payment. After a week I made the last payment and like they said, they submitted my documents to my lender. Lo and behold my application was denied and somehow the bank said I made too much money to qualify. I of course went back to Granite Law to see what the next step was. But I found out that there was nothing they could do and that I was no longer being represented. I did my research later and found that it is against the law in MD to be represented for loan modification by any attorney outside of MD. I also found that the Federal Trade Commission rules against charging advance fees called the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule. And in the state of California, which is where this business is based out of, they have Senate Bill 94 which prohibits attorneys from charging advance fees until their services have been completed.Desired Settlement: I would like the entire amount I paid for this service plus $5,000 for false advertisement.

Business

Response:

We are surprised to be receiving this complaint, as

the clients retained us over a year ago, and our office has not heard from the

clients since September 2013. However, we of course would like to reach an amicable

conclusion to this matter.

The client hired our firm to prepare and submit a

modification request to their lender, as set forth in the retainer agreement

that they signed on or about April 4, 2013. We received retainer payments in

the amount of $1000 on April 4, 2013; $125 on May 2, 2013; $100 on May 23,

2013; $100 on May 30, 2013 and $425 on June 5, 2013, totaling $1750.00 in

contemplation of completing all of the services for which we were hired. We

fulfilled all of our obligations under the retainer agreement. There is no

question that we prepared a loan solution package for the client and submitted

it to the client’s lender on his behalf. That is what the client hired us to

do.

A member of our staff spoke with the clients on April

30, 2013 and on left a message for the client on May 2, 2013 and further

explained the scope of services for which the client hired our office. During

these calls, and in the retainer agreement that the client signed, he was

informed of our no guarantee policy. We are so adamant of informing our clients

of the fact that we cannot ethically guarantee an outcome, that we devote a

separate section of the retainer agreement to this:

DISCLAIMER OF

GUARANTEE. Nothing in this Agreement and

nothing in any statements by GL or its staff shall be construed as a promise or

guarantee about the outcome of this matter.

Client acknowledges that GL makes no such promises or guarantees. There can be no assurance that Client will

profit or benefit, economically or otherwise, in this matter. GL’s comments about the outcome of this

matter are expressions of opinion only.

Client’s obligation to pay the fees in full for the services rendered

are not based on Client’s obtaining a particular outcome or result.

The client further asserts that our representation

is illegal because he claims we cannot charge upfront fees. He cites the

provisions of 16 C.F.R. Part 322, colloquially known as the FTC MARS Rule. As a

law firm providing service to our clients in the normal course of business, the

rule cited is not applicable. The MARS rule states:

“(a) An attorney is

exempt from this part, with the exception of § 1015.5, if the attorney:

(1)

Provides mortgage assistance relief services as part of the practice of law;

(2) Is licensed to

practice law in the state in which the consumer for whom the attorney is

providing mortgage assistance relief services resides or in which the

consumer’s dwelling is located; and

(3)

Complies with state laws and regulations that cover the same type of conduct

the rule requires.

(b) An attorney who is

exempt pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section is also exempt from § 1015.5

if the attorney:

(1) Deposits any funds

received from the consumer prior to performing legal services in a client trust

account; and

(2) Complies with all

state laws and regulations, including licensing regulations, applicable to

client trust accounts.”

Additionally, our firm does not collect fees in

advance of services performed. All fees

from our clients are placed in our IOLTA attorney/client trust account and paid

to the firm when earned. Once the

services for which this client hired our firm were concluded the funds were

then transferred from the trust account to our operating account.

Furthermore, California Senate Bill 94 does not

apply, as the client is not a California client and the property is not located

in California.

Additionally, the client requests $5000 for “false

advertisement.” This of course is unrealistic, as our advertising in no way

promises any specific result or guarantee, as noted previously in this

response.

We take every client’s situation very

seriously. While we are surprised to be

hearing from the client via this complaint, as our office has not heard from

him directly since September of 2013, we would of course be willing to reach a

conclusion to this matter with him. However, this does require that he contact

us directly.

Review: We entered into a contract with Granite Law to help with a loan modification. We paid Granite Law $1700 to help with this modification. I ended up working solely with our mortgage lender and a modification was worked out. Never did Granite Law assist in this modification. I contacted them about a refund of services not completed. They sent a form and I filled it out and mailed it back to them. I have never heard from them since. It's been 9 months or so.Desired Settlement: I would like the $1700 refunded to us. We weren't in a position to pay this amount but did and sacrificed so Granite Law could help us. This fee created an even more hardship for us.

Business

Response:

We are surprised to be receiving this complaint, as

the clients retained us over a year ago, and our office has not heard from the

clients since August 2013. However, we would like to reach an amicable

conclusion to this matter.

The clients hired our firm to conduct an analysis of

their financial situation and to have a consultation with one of our staff

attorneys regarding that analysis, as well as our office contacting the

client’s lender in order to advocate for a postponement of the sale date

pending on client’s property, as is stated in the retainer agreement that the

clients signed on January 4, 2013. The clients paid a retainer fee of $750 on

January 4, 2013 in contemplation of this service. The clients pending sale date

was postponed by their lender to March 15, 2013. As such, the scheduled

attorney consultation did not take place as it was moot.

However, the clients decided to hire our office to

prepare and submit a modification request to their lender, as set forth in the second

retainer agreement that they signed on or about January 24, 2013. The $750

retainer fee that was paid when the clients retained our office for assistance

with sale date postponement was credited towards this new retainer. We also

received retainer payments in the amount of $500 on January 31, 2013 and $500

on February 19, 2013, totaling $1750.00 in contemplation of completing all of

the services for which we were hired. We fulfilled all of our obligations under

the retainer agreement. We prepared a loan solution package for the client and

submitted it to the clients’ lender on their behalf. That is what the client

hired us to do.

A member of our staff spoke with the clients on

January 31, 2013 and on February 18, 2013 and further explained the scope of

services for which the client hired our office. During these calls our staff

stressed that time was of the essence because of the pending sale date. On

February 20, 2013 our office sent the clients needed to be signed as well as a

list of supporting documents required to complete the modification application.

Again, we stressed that time was of the essence. We requested the necessary

documentation from the clients and repeatedly contacted the clients in regards

to returning the documentation.

On February 25, 2013 we received only partial documents

from the clients. We called the clients to advise them that we still needed the

rest of the documentation requested. On February 27, 2013 we had still not

received all of the documents needed. We called the clients and reminded them

that it was crucial to get a complete application to their lender as soon as

possible.

On March 4, 2013 we called the clients, having not

heard from them and having not received all of the documentation needed, and

advised them that all documents needed to be sent to us the same day. After

receiving this call from us, the clients sent some, but not all, of the

requested documentation needed to complete their modification application. We

then emailed the clients advising that we would send the application package as

partially complete as it needed to be sent to the lender within the investor’s

timeline for review due to the pending sale date.

On May 28, 2013 a member of our staff spoke with the

clients, and they stated that their lender informed them that the application

was incomplete and needed certain items on their forms. We advised the client

that it was incomplete because the clients did not provide all the documents requested.

However, as a courtesy to the clients we sent an updated application to the

client’s lender on the lender requested forms.

We did not hear back from the clients until August

1, 2013, when they contacted our office requesting a refund. Our policy

regarding refunds is to return any unused portion of the retainer fee paid if

we have not fully completed the services for which we were hired. In this case,

we fully performed our services as set forth in the retainer agreement that the

clients signed.

However, we take every client’s situation very

seriously. It is our policy that when a

client requests a refund of retainer fees that if no refund is due, that the

client completes a refund questionnaire so that our legal and accounting

departments can adequately investigate the matter. In this case our office

mailed a refund questionnaire to the clients on August 2, 2013. We have not

heard from the clients since then. We of course are still interested in

reaching an amicable solution to this matter, but cannot move forward until the

clients return the completed refund questionnaire.

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.

I am attaching a response to Granite Law's message.

Regards,

Business

Response:

We stand by our response. Mr. [redacted] is

entitled to his own opinion but he is not entitled to his own facts.

Moreover, our refund review process requires a client to submit a refund questionnaire

as a condition precedent, to being reviewed for any potential refund. Mr.

[redacted] alleges he sent in his refund questionnaire. We have not received

one. However, to expedite a resolution we will waive this requirement, and

review his file for same. His refund review will take 30 days (business days) from today.

Consumer

Response:

Hi,

I am accepting the Granite's offer to the potential resolution of refund. However, I feel it's not very sincere as the tone of their response is very condescending. If they don't want negative reviews, it's probably a good idea to be a bit more friendly.

Thank you,

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

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.

I do not accept their refund of $250. We do not feel their agency did any work for us or very minimal at best. Especially not $1500, which is the remainder after their proposed refund amount. We countered with a refund of $800 which they denied & countered with their original amount of $250. This is unacceptable to us. We worked very closely with our lender & we feel our lender was upfront & honest. Unlike Granite Law who still feels they reached a modification agreement with our lender. Once we were informed by our lender the forms were out of date, we worked solely with our lender as we felt Granite Law was not working in our best interest. We reject their refund amount of $250.

Regards,

Business

Response:

One of our staff attorney’s spoke with the client on July 1,

2014. On that day, our office offered a courtesy refund in the amount of

$250.00 to the client. She advised our staff attorney that she would need to

discuss the offer with her husband, and would get back in touch with her. Our

staff attorney provided the client her direct contact number. We have yet to

hear back from the clients in regards to the refund offered.

Our office is willing to work out a resolution with the

clients, and will attempt to contact them one more time in order to resolve

this issue.

Review: I received several calls from Reps of Granite Law starting as early as June or July 2013.I applied for a loan modification on my own through my mortgage company and I was turned down.Briefly after I started receiving phone calls from Granite promising they could get the mortgage balance reduced,and lower my monthly payment through the modification process because they knew how to structure the modification and they had a 99% approval rate.They claimed to work with my loan provider on a weekly basis and knew they could get it approved.After ALOT of phone calls from them and emails,I sent them $500.00 IN July 0f 2013 to start my file.After receiving the first payment they contacted me and said they could not do anything until they received another $500.00.So after months of saving,I sent them another $500.00 in March/April of 2014.After receiving the second payment of $500.00,they have since stopped returning ALL my phone calls and emails and I contacted the mortgage company and they have not received any documentation from them.I have requested a refund from them but no one has responded to me via phone or mail.I feel like these people take advantage of homeowners in distress situations and they prey upon your vulnerable situation.We thought these people could help us save money and keep our home,now they just made matters worse as we struggle to overcome the loss of $1000.00,and still are trying to save our home and we could really use the $1000.00 to help with that.I would like your help and assistance in obtaining a refund of my $1000.00.I have also contacted the Govenors Office of consumer affairs in Ga and I found out it is illegal in the state of Ga to solicit any one for upfront fees within the State regarding loan modifications.I have also contacted the Federal Trade Commission and filed a complaint as well.Desired Settlement: REFUND OF MY $1000.00Prevent these people from taking advantage of anyone else

Business

Response:

The client and our office have had several conversations

since the date of this complaint, and have come to an amiable resolution to

this matter. The client advised one of our staff attorneys that he would be

contacting the Revdex.com to retract this complaint, as it was filed by him in haste, before

he actually contacted us to discuss the matter.

Review: First I was called by a woman named [redacted]. She or her law firm Granite Law must have heard about me having financial problems paying my mortgage and so she tried to scam me out of fifteen hundred dollars, this money was for them a law practice to get my mortgage payment and rate dropped. She told me I could send payments so all I could send was 400 at the time. I thought it over for a couple days then I fell for it because at the time I needed some help with my mortgage payment. I wished I hadn't given the money but I did and she then told me their would be a person calling me on the phone a few days later to give me details about what might happen. This person was called [redacted] she is a lawyer supposedly I don't believe that either, anyway she told me about the process and she would not take the case till I payed in full 1500. Then she asked me if I wanted to decline the case because I decided not to pay the other 1100. She asked me I did not ask her about declining the case so she told me they her law firm Granite Law would issue me a refund but she was going to charge me for 1 hour which I did not even talk to her for 30 minutes so I didn't think that was fair but I thought ok well then I should at least recieve 300 for my refund because I thought she would charge 100. She then tells me I will recieve it in 30 to 45 days this was in October and this is January. That is more than enough time. I have tried to call they won't answer their phone or call back and I also talked to [redacted] about my refund and she told me I had to talk to another department so basically I was given the run around.Desired Settlement: I think I deserve the full amount I sent which was 400.

Review: I paid for Granite Law to help get my mortgage lowered but they didn't keep their end of the bargain. This company scammed me and took my money. I contacted them several times to discuss this issue and every time I called they requested more and more documents and information, which I willingly provided but they still refused to render me services.Desired Settlement: Since I did not receive the services I paid for I demand a full refund.

Business

Response:

The client hired us for a very narrow and limited purpose,

as set forth in the retainer agreement that he signed on or about September 3,

2013. A member of our staff spoke with the client on September 23, 2013 and

further explained the scope of services for which the client hired our office. Additionally,

one of our staff attorneys contacted the client September 26, 2013 to answer

any questions he may have had. The client did not answer, and did not return

the call.

We received a retainer payment from the client in an amount

totaling $1,550.00 in contemplation of completing all of the services for which

we were hired. We fulfilled all of our obligations under the retainer

agreement. We prepared a loan solution package for the client and submitted it

to his lender on his behalf on October 16, 2013. That is what the client hired

us to do. The client did not hire us to “lower [his] mortgage,” as he asserts

in his complaint.

As for the allegation that our office “didn’t keep [our] end

of the bargain,” the client is obviously mistaken. The client hired us for the

sole specific purpose of preparing and submitting a loan modification request

on his behalf. In return, the client agreed to pay a retainer fee in the amount

of $1,550.00. We completed the service the client hired us for, and earned our

fee. Our office did request that the client’s lender reduce his monthly

payments and his interest rate. However, the client’s lender is not required to

do so. It is up to the lender to make the final determination as to outcome. This

is the only service the client hired our office to perform. No other services

were promised or contemplated.

Our office has attempted on several occasions to reach an

agreement with the client regarding his dissatisfaction with our services. We

have even offered, as courtesy to the client, to refund a portion of his

retainer fee. However, after several attempts to contact him, and after leaving

several messages for the client, we have not heard back from him.

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.

Review: I was told that I would get help with attorneys in filing HARP papers to Chase Bank. I was given a checklist to complete and fill out certain papers. I was left to fill out all paperwork and do all the leg-work on my own. I paid them $1,700 while I was on my own to do all of this work. When I complained, I was told that an attorney would get back to me. I did not ever again here from anyone. When I asked for the original CSR, I was told "he is no longer with us". When I later asked for a refund, I was told I would not even get a partial refund.They extorted $1,700 from with without doing anything but a sales job and sending me copies of HARP steps.They do not deserve to be in business. They are the parasites who collect from the original preditor of people who are hurting.[redacted]Desired Settlement: I deserve a full refund plus pain and suffering and punitive damages. Also $500.00 for the time I spent working on my HARP issues which I was turned down for twice under Granite Laws watch as well as mine. They did not pay me, I payed them. I got nothing in return for my hard-earned money.[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

Review: My house used to be owned by E.M.C. out of [redacted]. 2011 EMC sold to [redacted]. Mortgage went up so high to $942.00 a month. When EMC owned it, I only paid $548.71 a month. I paid insurance on my own and the taxes year independently amount was $1,200 a year. After retiring it got higher with mortgage because of the sale out. EMC sold the [redacted] got very expensive. So I tried to put in and get help (Obama Mortified Load) to save my house.Desired Settlement: All I want to say and report to the Revdex.com is that these people are fraud and I don;t want anybody else to go through what I have seen and experienced with these people. They wont own up to nothing or take responsibility for their actions. The house that they are foreclosing on me because of Granite Law is located on [redacted].

I am waiting at the moment supposed to be investigation on [redacted], due to document on my signature was tampered with. The interest on the house I had paid so much money into. Someone took my signature saying I refused the interest incentive on the house, and that is not true. I brought to attention saying to [redacted] that I never signed any documents to that affect when I close out on the house because that was my ace in the hole. If I was to go bankrupt, I at least had the interest rate on the house to fall back on. I put a lot of interest in that house. I was cheated on.

Business

Response:

Response to Complaint by[redacted] retained

our firm for the specific and limited purpose delineated in the Retainer

Agreement signed by him on or about August 26, 2013. Pursuant to this agreement

we would assist [redacted]o in the preparation of a loan modification request and

application to be submitted to his lender. No other services were promised or

contemplated. Those services were completed as of

December 13, 2013. [redacted]o’s comments are not only misguided but completely disingenuous.

[redacted]o’s

home is being foreclosed upon because he did not make his mortgage payments not

for any other reason. [redacted]o seems to believe the retainer payment of

$1,550.00 he paid for the limited purpose of preparing a loan modification was

in-fact limitless. It was not. [redacted]o knows that he was denied the loan modification

based upon a finding by his lender that his state law (Texas) restricts

modification of his type of loan under Article XVI of the Texas Constitution

section 50(a)(6).

[redacted]o’s lender alleges [redacted] took out an equity line, and equity lines per his investor guidelines,

cannot be modified. Because [redacted]o claimed he never took out an equity line,

our attorneys assisted him, as a courtesy and went above and beyond, putting in

more than 30 hours into his file, investigating and ordering the “cash-out”

documents demonstrating he in-fact, did take out an equity line. Again as a

courtesy, and not a service we were retained for, one of our attorney’s

contacted the foreclosure attorney representing the lender and requested a copy

of the security instrument after the denial of the loan modification based upon

50(a)(6). She received it, and sent [redacted]o a copy of same. Thereafter, he

advised our attorney this note was “forged”. Not only did we assist [redacted]o

AFTER he was denied the modification, we assisted him with each and every call

to his lender from October 2013 to October 2014. We placed more than 30 calls

to his lender; a service we were not retained for.

Our attorneys fought to have [redacted] sale postponed, and were constantly in communication with the lender’s

attorney advocating on his behalf, on the basis of [redacted]o’s “forgery” claim.

Our firm was able to postpone the sale of his property, because of the alleged

forgery.

[redacted]o was advised that unfortunately,

we were not retained to pursue a fraud claim against the bank; [redacted]o, as is

evident from his complaint here, was not happy with this. [redacted]o suggested

we should work for free, that his $1,550.00 retainer should cover whatever work

he needed us to do, even if it meant another 50 hours of work. We had already

assisted [redacted]o with more than 20 hours of free legal service, even despite

his constant defamatory statements, and profanity used against our firm and our

attorneys. We appreciated [redacted]o’s service to our country, and because he’s

a Veteran, offered 20+ hours of free legal work and counsel.

[redacted]o alleges that we are a

“fraud” and doesn’t want “anybody else to go through what he {sic} seen and

experienced”. [redacted]o knows we prepared and submitted a loan solution package

because we provided him with a copy of same. This is the only service [redacted]o

hired our office to perform. No other services were promised or contemplated. It’s

unconceivable how [redacted]o can claim, we somehow defrauded him. [redacted]o

knows we went above and beyond, he knows we returned every single phone calls,

he knows we fought weekly with his lender to get them to review his loan

modification, he knows we earned our fees, and more.

While it is [redacted]o’s position he

did not sign his security instrument, and the bank is to blame, this is not an

issue we were retained to litigate. Especially, not for free and especially not

in light of his profanity laced tirades.

[redacted]o

knows his statements are defamatory, he knows we completed our services, and

knows we have done everything within the scope of our services to assist him;

even going far beyond our scope as a courtesy.

As always

we reserve our right to vigorously pursue all of our legal

remedies against anyone who files a false and defamatory claim against our firm.

Review: I hired this company (prepaid) for attorney services concerning foreclosure modification. I have a written contract and today I have called their office and ALL the different numbers I've call will not rec'v a call option for a call back. I gave them $750 dollas for a retainer fee. I believe they are a scam companyDesired Settlement: PLEASE HELP ME GET MY MONEY BACK. I WORK HARD and I am underpaid

Business

Response:

Our office contacted the client directly to resolve this

complaint. The client concedes that the complaint she filed was filed in haste,

due to a miscommunication regarding her final payment.

The client retained our firm to prepare and submit a modification

request to her lender. In return, she agreed to pay a retainer fee of $1550.00.

We received a payment of $750.00 but have not received the balance of $800.00.

A staff attorney contacted the client in regards to this

complaint, and the client informed our staff attorney that there was a

miscommunication regarding her final payment. The client advised our staff

attorney that she would be contacting the Revdex.com to retract this complaint. The

client advised us that she wished to move forward in the process, and would be

making her final payment so that we could complete the work that we were

contracted to do, as per the retainer agreement.

As of this date, we have not heard from the client again,

despite our continued attempts to contact her. We would very much like to

assist her, but cannot do so unless she returns our calls.

Review: I contacted Granite Law LLC in January 2014 to assist me in a loan modification in order to save my home. In order to get the process started I had to submit tax returns, W-2's, paystubs, hardship letter and bank statements. A retainers fee was requested by [redacted] in the amount of $900 which I paid in (2) separate payments of $450. One payment was submitted on January 17, 2014 (check#[redacted]) the other on January 31,2014 (#[redacted]). Then in February I was told in order for the attorneys to proceed with my case in submitting the necessary documents to my mortgage lender to request for the loan modification it would be another retainers fee of $650. I then paid (2) separate payments again, one in the amount $325 on February 28,2014 (check#[redacted]) the other on March 14, 2014 (#[redacted]). On March 28, 2014 I had to submit as requested the same 37 documents AGAIN by a rep by the name of [redacted] who was then handling case. The sale date of my home was scheduled for April 10, 2014 and still I was getting the run around concerning this modification. My case was then turned over to another rep by the name of [redacted] who then told me that since my sale date was getting close that he would have an attorney contact me on April 7th to file bankruptcy in order to stop the sale of the home. An attorney did not contact me until April 9th. So my home was sold and left me with looking for somewhere else to live and out of $1550 for nothing. I did mention to [redacted] that I feel that the process was delayed due to their part in losing paperwork and the attorney contacting me a day before the foreclosure sale. So I was contacted by [redacted] on April 14th at 11:45am who said she was a counselor at Granite Law and was told that I requested a refund. She said they could only refund me $500 due to the fact that the attorney did not contact me until a day before the foreclosure date. She said that I would receive it in about (3) weeks and hopefully it would help due to my hardship with having to find somewhere else to live. I NEVER received the check to this day. A man from the Accounting Dept called from Granite Law left me a message with no name stating that he was checking to see if I received the check because it has not been cashed. He said if they needed to reissue it they would and to give them a call. I called that day and (3) days after that, left messages and have not received a return call. I am now seeking to receive a FULL refund in the amount of $1550.Desired Settlement: To receive a refund check in the full amount of $1550 as soon as possible. It has been (2) months that I was told I would receive my money.

Business

Response:

A member of our staff spoke with the client regarding this complaint. We had in fact mailed the agreed upon courtesy refund to this client in early June 2014. However, the client did not advise us of her change of address. Thus, she did not receive the refund. We again spoke to her after receiving this complaint, and have cleared up the situation. The client advised us that she would be contacting the Revdex.com to withdraw her complaint, as it was filed due to a mere miscommunication.