Complaint Review: Premier Legal Advocates

On January 19th 2010, we went to the HUD website and checked on the Affordable Home Modification, then clicked to see if we were eligible.  It came up yes we were eligable and gave us a 800 number to call and a claim number.  We called and it was PLA's.  They guaranteed us a home modification and said they had a legal team that would go into court and fight the mortgage company on our behalf.  They said the modification was free, but we had to pay a fee for the attorneys to represent us.  We paid in 4 payments, where they went into our bank account and withdrew their money.  We paid them $1,276.00 in all. 

Prior to paying them, I went into BBB of CA, where they had a B- (report said they were reputable and legit company), I also checked another company that listed scam co's in CA.  Every thing came up clear.  I still wasn't sure, so I went into HUD and checked every thing my husband had checked, and again they popped up upon clicking the submit button to see if we were eligible.  We decided to go with them, as we were in foreclosure.  They continued to tell us not to worry that they would take care of everything.  They said they applied for everything we could apply for.  We figured, they guarantee a 100% money back guarantee if they failed to get the modification.  We waited.

They gave us a secure web address to go to, to check our account.  https://secure.captaloans.com/status?cmd=11450.  Of course they never checked the block past the first stage.  We fell behind due to my husband had a heart attack and couldn't work for  14 months.  We continued getting foreclosure papers, step after step.  In July we had gotten a sale date.  They said, "don't worry, we have it covered!" 

The end of July, I emailed them, letter came back undeliverable.  I email 3 addresses, each came back.  I tried calling, busy signal every time.  I went back in to BBB and they now had a "F"!! There was letter after letter telling what they did to so many different people.  We have not been able to get in touch with them since.  Nor were we able to get our money back.  Meanwhile, our home is getting ready to go on sale.  Came to find out, they never applied for the Act 91, nor the HEMAP, the only thing they did apply for was the AHM.  Which we are still waiting an anwer, since May. 

We were devistated to find out they weren't real lawyers, and that they were a scam! They deserve to be put in jail for all the people they hurt?  I have heard they went under a previous name, but I don't remember what that name was.  I don't know how these people can look at themselves knowing they are ripping people off.