Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Financially Strapped Oregon Couple Bail Out On Loan Modification Attorney; Stops Check, Opts For Free Counseling Instead

In Gresham, Oregon, KGW-TV Channel 8 reports:

  • A mortgage scheme nearly snagged a Gresham couple. [...] “My husband’s trucking business came to a stop and we got really far behind in our house payments,” said Patricia Harmon. A television commercial from Christian M. Dillon attorney at law seemed to have the solution. “It was pretty much a guarantee they could get our loan modified and our payments lowered,” said Harmon. The company wanted $3,000 up front. Harmon was desperate, she wrote a check.

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  • Harmon said Christian M. Dillon attorney at law told her to stop all contact with her mortgage company. “Don’t talk to them, even if they call you. Now I discover that's one of the first signs of a scam, is when they tell you not to talk to your mortgage company,” said Harmon. Harmon learned the company had a history of consumer complaints in the nick of time. She canceled her check.

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  • The BBB gives the California company an F rating and the Oregon Attorney General recently helped a homeowner in Newport get their money back from the company. Fortunately, you don't have to pay for mortgage counseling. A government approved counselor helped Harmon for free. Christian M. Dillon attorney at law has not returned calls from KGW.(1)

For the story, see Gresham couple avoid suspected mortgage scam.

(1) For a story from The Tampa Tribune on the experience of a Florida homeowner who paid an upfront fee for loan modification services, and who responded to a television commercial from California attorney Christian M. Dillon, see Home sweet home: Beware of foreclosure rescue scams, fees.

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