Central Florida Non-Profit Loan Modification Organization Leaves Legal Aid Attorney Concerned
In Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona Beach News Journal ran a story on the Helping Hands Foundation, reportedly a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of doing loan modifications for homeowners facing foreclosure.
- Foundation directors George and Daisy Raisler(1) gave a free foreclosure prevention/education public workshop this week in Daytona Beach with 20 attendees. They spoke of being able to form a team of experts to review "intake" packages and pick ones that may be successful in getting mortgages modified. They charged $200 for the packages and ask for a donation equal to one month's salary to try to negotiate loan modifications. [...] Anita Lapidus, an attorney with Community Legal Services of Mid Florida, sat through the 90-minute presentation and left concerned.
For more, see Mortgage fraud up as homeowners seek help.
(1) According to the story:
- Court records show Czech-born George Raisler, 41, pleaded guilty in 1996 in South Florida to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and income-tax fraud. He was ordered to pay partial restitution of $45,000 to insurance companies and served five years of supervised probation. That was extended a year after he violated the terms. He also voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in 1997, was ordered to pay $395 after losing a civil complaint in 1996 and in 2000, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested him for grand larceny, trespassing and fraud. He was acquitted, according to court records. Raisler did not respond to telephone calls Friday, asking about his past.
7 comments:
The Helpful Hands Foundation is recruiting Foreclosure Field Counselors in NC. I am concerned about any "nonprofit" that requires the people they say they want to help to pay a $200 application fee. Does anybody know if this group is legit?
Dear Anonymous,
Did you rcv any response to your inquiry of The Helpful Hands Foundation (THHF)??
Today 2/21/09, I was asked (by a family friend) to provide my opinion of the assistance that she rcvd from this organization THHF.
The language in the so called contract indicates....the donation of $200 plus one month's mrtg payment made payable to The Helpful Hands Foundation, Inc. non-refundable.
This does not sound good to me in any way.
Unfortunately, the family friend paid the "donation".
I went through a modification with The Helpful Hands Foundation recently. I did pay the fee of 1 month mortgage payment plus the $200 application fee up front. The process took about 3 months but in the end it worked out very well. My mortgage company, Countrywide, waived the 5 payments that I was behind and lowered my interest rate from 10.99 adjustable to a 6.5 fixed.
As a Field Counselor for The Helpful Hands Foundation (and please notice that I'm NOT anonymous), I am compelled to set the record straight regarding the "concern" that seems to have developed over an incident inaccurately reported by the Daytona Beach News Journal. The facts are:
- The Helpful Hands Foundation (THHF) reviews ALL packages before acceptance and only accepts those that have a chance of success (and not all do). I do it for no charge and only mention the $200 to screen out the "Looky-Loos" who are not really serious about doing what it takes to help themselves.
- The requested donation (fully tax deductable) from THHF is one month's MORTGAGE PAYMENT (not one month's salary) plus $200 for administrative setup. I personally do not turn in ANY donation until I am convinced the case will succeed.
I attempted to contact Attorney Anita Lapidus and was informed that she had no comment on the matter, which was frustrating but probably appropriate. And the fact(?) that she left the workshop "concerned" is also appropriate, since reasonable, fact-based skepticism is a good thing (especially nowadays). I say that the only meaningful proof of THHF is in their actual performance.
So check out the website (www.thhf.org/blog/2009/03/john-oviatt/). Go to the top right and click "Testimonials" to see some GOOD news (and proof of actual performance). Notice that the most recent cases are at the bottom of the list and they are VERY recent.
Blogs (where comments and opinions from annonymous contributors are treated as fact) are NOT a good place to do reliable fact-gathering. The Helpful Hands Foundation is in fact doing the job, and for a very reasonable amount. I suggest you do your own due-dilligence, form your own conclusions and make your own choices...and let the doubters continue to sit and doubt (and blog).
John Oviatt
John@JohnOviatt.com
Please be aware that on June 26, 2009 I was fired from my position as an Associate Director for The Helpful Hands Foundation (THHF).
I have no hard feeling as to the termination of my affiliation, and have since launched my own operation to provide both REAL Forensic Loan Document Examinations as well as REAL Loan Mitigation Services for REAL Loan Mods. Unlike THHF, we are NOT charging advance fees for Mitigation Services, and plan to stay on the GOOD side of the Florida Attorney General's office.
Please be aware that THHF is currently dealing with an active investigation by the FL AG's office (case# L09-3-1104) which may/may not prove problematic.
My e-mail is below.
John Oviatt
The link to the Florida Attorney General's webpage for information on the The Helpful Hands Foundation (THHF) civil investigation referred to in an earlier comment is: Case #L09-3-1104
I have no hard feeling as to the termination of my affiliation, and have since launched my own operation to provide both REAL Forensic Loan Document Examinations as well as REAL Loan Mitigation Services for REAL Loan Mods. Unlike THHF, we are NOT charging advance fees for Mitigation Services, and plan to stay on the GOOD side of the Florida Attorney General's office.
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