After receiving a referal from a friend, I called Lucas Law Group to see about a home loan modification after being terminated from my job on May 28, 2009. I met with Adam Zucker on June 20,2009 to go over terms on a loan modification. After our initial meeting, Adam has friends and associates that I know also. He even told me,"Paul is a close family friend, Uncle Paul. He had me sign a retainer agreement, a letter of authorization, (which they called Downey Savings), a notarized power of attorney, a hardship letter, my bank statements, cureent pay stubs, and last two years w-2, and last mortgage statement. I meet Jason, an assistant, to turn in one form. After the initial meeting, I could not leave voice mail messages on any of the phone number they gave me. I went to 75 Enterprise, Aliso Viejo, Ca. to see if I could meet with anyone, and no response. They have my money, and back to step one. I do not trust anybody now. Adam, you lied to me, your Mother would be so ashamed if she was still living.
VLB
Huntington Beach,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, March 02, 2012
I too was scammed by the Lucas Law Center. I visited their offices in Aliso, CA in October of 2008 and met with Adam Zucker who was a real smooth talker. I noticed that the entire staff was very casually dressed with no one in business attire. Anyhow, I paid them $3500.00 up front and they did nothing. When Adam Zucker took my money, he advised me to miss two mortgage payments. Several weeks later there was a CNN report on Loan Modification Companies making false promises and that any employee telling a client to purposely miss any mortgage payments was illegal! I notified Adam Zucker and requested a refund. He was very apprehensive about issuing me my refund! Everytime I called him, I was always forwarded to his voice mail. In July 2010, the Federal Trade Commission shut down the Lucas Law Center for deceptive practices and appointed Robb Evans and Associates, a Bonded Fiduciary to take control of the companies assets. I filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau against the Lucas Law Center. In 2011, The Federal Trade Commission won their case against The Lucas Law Center for a judgement of 6.1 million dollars. The bad news is that only about one million was recovered. I dont know all of the particulars of the case but I did speak to a representative from the FTC who was assigned to the case. My main concern was if and when the consumers who were scammed into paying up front fees would be getting any of their money back. It is still up in the air if and when any refunds will be issued. I then contacted the California Bar and filed a complaint with the Client Security Fund. I provided them all my receipts which included copies of cancelled checks to the Lucas Law Center and a complete narrative of what had happened to me. I was refunded my money! I urge everyone who was scammed by the Lucas Law Center to contact the Client Security Fund with the California Bar and file a complaint. Paul Jeffrey Lucas has since been disbarred! There is more information on the California Bar website.
http://www.calbarjournal.com/December2011/AttorneyDiscipline/Disbarments.as