This is the story from my clients:
We got a pop-up ad on the computer from Friedman Law Associates.
They promised a lower mortgage payment because they could get a lower interest rate. Too good to be true. Now I know that their demand for money “before they could start work” is illegal. You should never pay up front for a mortgage modification.
We were paying our mortgage. We did not miss a payment. Friedman told us to stop making mortgage payments. We trusted a law firm. They lied to us. So, we were up for foreclosure because we trusted them.
They promised a lower interest rate. This sounded so good. We ended up paying $4,370 which they took directly from our bank account. They lied about the work they never did.
We dealt with 3 people who kept stringing us along. They kept saying they never got the paperwork we sent them so we had to send more. After 5 months we had it.
We asked for our money back but never even got a response. We never got any statement of what these people did and they never talked with our lender.
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So, this is what I am doing for my clients (we do not charge them):
Complaint to the Federal Trade Commission
Complaint & request for investigation to the Bar Association of New York
Complaint to the BBB
This complaint to warn other people about this scam
Dorothy
Milwaukee,#2Author of original report
Thu, April 04, 2019
I helped a woman who was scammed by Friedman. Very similar story. Requiring payment upfront for a mortgage modification is illegal. The Grievance Committee for the 10th Judicial District only put a letter in his file telling him to abide by the MARS rule - which prohibits taking money for a mortgage modification before the modification is actually obtained.
Not enough people are complaining. So please read further on how to complain.
What kind of advertising did they use? Did anyone actually consult with you and explain options and rights? This matters no matter what the reason is that you found them or they found you. An hour is typical for a consultation and it should get detailed.
If they recorded a 2 minute quiz of you talking with one of their employees - blast Friedman for it. 2 minutes is a ridiculus short time to tape anything, especially before you talk with anyone at the law firm. This yes/no quiz is not a "consultation".
Please send a complaint no matter how long ago this happened. Friedman Law Associates is located in Suffolk County so you want:
State of New York Grievance Committee for the
Tenth Judicial District
150 Motor Parkway, Suite 102
Hauppauge, NY 11788
(631) 231-3775
There are instructions are online at: the web site for the NY Supreme Court or call the phone number above.
Take a look at the section online about ethical behavior. From the complaints I have read here, Friedman plays fast and loose with ethical behavior.
Toward the top of this Supreme Court page there is a downloadable PDF form to complain about an attorney. See section on How to File a Complaint. It's short and simple. Search for "file a complaint about New York lawer". Go to the web site for: www.nycourts.gov/
It's important to do this to establish a pattern of bad behavior.