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Bank of America review: fraud and misrepresentation, abuse of customers 131

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I am writing to make a complaint against Countrywide Home Loans, and the Bank of America, its owner. Countrywide is using a number of ploys to delay and avoid helping people in regard to the implementing the recently-announced federal program to assist its customers that need help.
Immediately on the announcement of this plan, I went to the Countrywide website which instructed me to collect and fax a list of information, which I did. That was in mid-March. I called a few days later to confirm that they had received my information. They confirmed its receipt, but when I asked about this new program, the Countrywide agent told me the only program they have to assist homeowners is for people with loans through Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae, which my loan is not. I told them that they were mistaken, there are two programs that were simultaneously announced, the Home Affordable Refinance Program, which is the program for Freddy Mac and Fanny Mae borrowers, and the Home Affordable Modification Program, which is for other borrowers. They told me that I was wrong. There is only one program, and they had no program to help me. When I tried to convince them that they were incorrect and giving their customers the wrong information, they hung up on me.
I have called them at least once a week since then, and have made no progress whatsoever—not only in regard to getting a modification, but even in getting someone who will rationally talk to me about doing so. All they do is demand immediate payment, which, of course, is impossible. If I had the money to made the payments, I would certainly do so and wouldn’t be calling them asking for assistance.
Last week when I called, after having been told the same story that there is no program available to help me, I requested to speak to a supervisor. After explaining this whole situation to her, I asked her to validate their receipt of my information. She said, yes, it was received on March 19th but no action has been taken on it. I asked why not. She had no answer, but just said no action had been taken. “It hasn’t been submitted yet.” I asked her to please submit it—I thought I was submitting it when I followed the instructions to collect and fax the information. She said she would request that it be submitted.
Today (April 21), I called, and got a different story. Yes, they have got my information, but there was no indication of its having been submitted. No, they don’t have a program available to help me. Regarding the federal program announced last month, they told me that the government hasn’t released the information to them to implement any such program. They told me to wait until mid-May when they might be able to start the program. Finally, they told me to call HUD. That was it. They have done nothing else to aid me in gaining the assistance that I desperately need.
I went to the United States Treasury website, and found the “Summary of Guidelines” document, which is dated March 4, 2009. In specific regard to the Home Affordable Modification Program, this guideline document states, “With the information now available, servicers can begin immediately to modify eligible mortgages under the modification program so that at-risk borrowers can better afford their payments.” (This text is boldfaced in the document.)
Thus, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, mortgage loan servicers could immediately be implementing modification program as of March 4, 2009. However, according to Countrywide, they have not received the guidelines to implement any such program, are not offering any program currently, and don’t know when they might be able to implement such a program. They told me to check back in mid-May. The approach that Countrywide-Bank of America, in regard to me and my case, has been to lie to me, mislead me, and postpone undertaking positive action until I am so far behind that nothing can save me.
In my most recent call (week of May 11-15), the response of Countrywide-Bank of America now is to tell the customer to wait. The telephone representative (you have to speak to a different one each time you call) said that Countrywide was determining who qualified for the program (although they are still steadfastly refusing to admit the existence of the non-Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac “Home Affordable Modification Program”), and that they will mail out notifications to those who qualify. Their advice to me was, “Wait to see if you get a notification letter.” To the question, “How long might that take? How long will I have to wait?” There is no answer. “Just wait to see if you get a letter.” This is very like their advice to homeowners when they embark on the Countrywide internal modification program: “Don’t make any payments while this process is underway.” What they don’t tell you is that the process can take as much as three or four months—time enough without making payments (as you are advised) to become significantly behind in mortgage payments and past the 3-month threshold for qualification for foreclosure. Thus, the obvious plan by Countrywide-Bank of America is to cause the homeowner to fall so far behind in their payments as to make the situation insolvable—government plan or no government plan.
If the President, the Secretary of the Treasury, Senators and Representatives believe that this program they have originated is helping anyone out there who is a customer of Countrywide-Bank of America, they are sadly mistaken. These, hopefully, well-intentioned public officials are living in a dream world if they think that by placing the administration of this program in the hands of the very lenders who created the problem in the first place something significant is going to be done to help endangered homeowners, they are willingly fooling themselves. They have put the fox in charge of the chickens, and the chickens are disappearing, one by one. I wonder why?
The Bank of America, during the first tranche of the infamous $700 billion "bailout plan, " got $20 billion, which they apparently invested in their buyout of Merrill Lynch and bonuses for Merrill executives. Now, when not only have they received significant federal government money, supposedly to assist them in freeing up the credit markets, and now have available an additional federal program to assist needy homeowners, they are refusing to do so. I have talked to a few other people that I know how are also having financial problems and mortgages with Countrywide, and they are also getting nothing but refusals and postponements. It is impossible to find someone to rationally discuss one's financial problems with at Countrywide as they refuse to do so. Their response is nothing but to insist on immediately bringing accounts up to date or paying off the loan. There is a serious abrogation of responsibility involved here by a company that has taken federal money but refuses to assist taxpayers who are their customers. I have read that the CEO of Bank of America has now admitted that he is sorry that his firm took the money--probably most of all because, subsequently, he has come to realize that responsibility would be expected of them in return, and that they would be expected to do something for their customers. The Bank of America-Countrywide should be prosecuted for taking money under false pretenses.
I am seeking information from you regarding Countrywide. I would like to contact other Countrywide customers who have been having similar problems to get them to join with me in contacting our members of Congress, the President, and Secretary of the Treasury, to inform them of Countrywide-Bank of America's abuses of the use of federal funds, the public trust, and their customers.

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131 comments
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wangy
Belle Plaine, US
Oct 15, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

Wow..I have been dealing with the same situation since Dec 2008. They lose you in the shuffle of calls between the HOPE team and Home Retention Dept. Keep taking my expenses, and keep saying they have my loan in review. Today, they told me different. Told me to re send my paystubs, statements and a certified check. They would process yet another modification. This would take 30 to 90 days to reveiew. AGAIN. Now we are in so deep, we cant get out. And they will deny the modification for some reason. They are just blowing off those in trouble, and using the government money. They are NOT helping anyone. I document everyone I talk too. Cause its someone different every day. I am getting no where. HELP in MN.

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Mrs. McLean
Las Vegas, US
Oct 08, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

This is our 3rd attempt at trying to modify our mortgage through Countrywide/BofA. (Dec, 08) First time, they don't have any programs in which I qualify, (March 09)Second, they lost my paperwork, (June 09) Third, it wasn't submitted properly, therefore, it needs to be resubmitted. I have made SEVERAL phone calls to them because I hear you have to STAY ON YOUR LENDER. Well, that doesn't work for me. Yesteray (10/8/09) I was told that they will "Consider" modifying my loan IF I make three trial payments. Okay, that means they get 3 more payments from me and they might CONSIDER a loan modification.

~~~Throwing hands up in the air, sighing a big "I'm done!"~~~

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lynnemily
Bakersfield, US
Oct 08, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

I live in California and I'm also struggling with BOA. I've made my 3 months trial period payments and have not received any final documentation, but I've called them every week and they say they are so far behind in paper work that it should take a while. One of the representatives did tell me that my documentation had not been finalized because I was missing one document I faxed it right away, but have not heard anything yet. I've tried everything to work with them and if they decide to foreclose I will file for Bankruptcy Chapter 13, I know it will affect my credit, but it's been damaged with me not making my monthly payments ...so I will do anything I can to stay in my home. We need to do something in order to stop BOA they are getting all this money and becoming richer and leave us in the street...NOT IS NOT FAIR! Please if someone knows what to do let all us know so that we can unite and punish BOA.

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fedupwithbanks
, US
Oct 07, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

I totally agree with all the complaints! How can people get together and make this bank stop. My husband lost his job in Orlando Fl and managed to find another one in NC - we had to move - could not sell house as it was upside down. Called BofA and they told us we had to be behind on payments - of course they couldnt wait to kill our credit the moment we stopped paying so they would even talk to us! I had never ever made a late payment and now we are ruined - I want to fight this ! To top it all off, they did approve the short sale after sitting on the file for 7 months and then forced us to sign a 15, 000 note on top of it all. Talk about adding insult to injury! Now we live in a strange place and its happening here too ! House we rented is going into foreclosure and of course I can't buy anything now that I have tangled with good old BofA. Maybe they need to return all the bailout money they received - they sure arent using it to help anyone but themselves!

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mom4ivp
Walker, US
Oct 01, 2009 1:39 pm EDT

I called BOFA today to let them know I was going to make a payment online, I was told that I am 3 months behind and why wasn't I interested in doing a Loan Modification. I told the girl I talked to that it's impossible that I am 3 months behind when we just made a payment last month and that we had already done the Loan Mod. She says she sees that the loan modification case was closed because we didn't send in all the information they asked us for. We sent it in vis fax, mail, and then again (one more time with feeling) when we signed all of the Loan Modification papers! She said the notes were showing that they were missing some pay stubs and that's why they closed the case. My husband talked to a lady about 3 or 4 months back that actually WORKS AS A SUPERVISOR for the HOPE division, and she had to get on the phone with whoever my husband was trying to give a payment to that time, and let the person know that yes they did, in fact, have all of the paperwork and everything was complete, and to take the payment in the amount we had signed the agreement for. When I talk to the girl today, not only does she show that our case has been closed and we are 3 months behind, but she said that we owe $39, 000... AND WOULD I LIKE TO PAY THAT TODAY? Hell yes, I'd love to pay that today! But I would also like to be on a beach somewhere catching a tan and drinking a margarita! She also said that our payments were increased from the agreed amount because they are trying to catch up our escrow... so how do you see that there was an agreed amount that is being added to, but our case is closed for the possibility of a Loan Modification? I'm confused and pissed! So, I didn't make a payment today, because I am waiting for tomorrow when I am off of work so I can call and yell at somebody! This makes 3 or 4 times now that these people have conveniently "LOST" all of my paperwork! I wish I could say it makes me feel better to know I'm not alone, but it scares me that this is happening to so many people and the government isn't doing anything about it!

Also, for those who say the bank is foreclosing on your home, check out the couple who was on CNN a while back who also said the bank foreclosed on their home. The couple moved out, nobody bought the home, the bank didn't do any of the upkeep on the house or property so the house became run down and the lot grown up, the city went in and is charging the couple fines out the wazoo for failing on the upkeep of the house, and all the while the couple is thinking that the bank owns the house and they are clear of any further upkeep on it.

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jonvp_76
Paso Robles, US
Sep 30, 2009 2:00 am EDT

People need to wake up! Bank of America wants to get rid of it's bad debt. It considers people(US) upside down on their homes as bad investments. It is easier to cut off the bad limb than nurse it back to health. By cutting off the bad debt(foreclosures) as fast as they can BofA will increase their profitability and viability long term in whatever market they choose(mortgages or other banking entity).

I would hope most everyone knows this is all calculated by the big wigs at BofA. I'm sure the accountants at BofA are planning 6 to 8 months ahead of where we are now.

Bank of America is in the perfect place. They have all the money they need to get through this from the Federal government so everything is on their terms.

I wish everyone the best of luck during these hard times and don't let this tumultuous times change what is really important family friends and being civil.

JonVP_76

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dohseedoh
, US
Sep 28, 2009 11:44 am EDT

Countrywide and Bank of America: Now there is a marriage made in Hell!

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yourk63
Chicago, US
Sep 25, 2009 10:16 am EDT

We are in the same boat with Countrywide/BOFA we were modified on our first loan on our condo by Countrywide in March 2009 Countrywide/BOFA cashed the next 4 checks with the new modification without any issues, suddenly BOFA returns the Aug. mortgage check in the mail after 5 weeks of them receiving with little explanation, of I course I call immediately got hung up on twice, then the 3rd call they give me everything under the sun of BS answers, basically after 2 weeks of run around including a call from our attorney to straighten this MESS out BOFA comes back with stating to us that they mailed packet on 5/29/09 and then a letter on 7/9/09 again BS we never were mailed anything from them, they said since we didn't response on their 2 mailings that our modification we were given by CW and the checks (keep in mind were all cashed by BOFA/CW ) this CW modification wasn't BOFA guidelines so they have put our mortgage back into a "open modification" mode. On 8/4/09 I spoke to a representative /BOFA Victor P. and he stated this loan was in perfect standing and that BOFA was looking into modification at this time on our 2nd loan on this property and that we were in good standing on both currently, they even sent a survey out via email on that call, ironic isn't it ? found out after that call on 8/4 from their files both of our loans must have maybe been alerted and they are now saying they won't accept the Aug/Sept payment that they want that amount plus another $1, 000 with it toward what they are now claiming we own back mortgage payments suddenly of $19, 000 and by paying approx. $3, 000 payment toward this why we are in "open modification" mode as they are trying to modify? Are we crazy or does anyone else agree we are being big time scammed, my attorney did absolutely no good, he basically responded that it is a HUGE corporation and to just continue calling them weekly and to look at paying the $3, 000 to continue in good standing he didn't seem to want to get to involved, think he felt too much work but I refuse to pay or agree to these circumstances, when we followed the rules and sent all documents in requested and BOFA can simply undo it all and lie and say they sent documents they never sent? where is their proof of sending these documents they claimed we never responded to I always mailed our modified loan payments registered with tracking so I have all my proof and my paperwork that was sent in March notarized they have nothing except the BS over the phone from their representatives involving this huge scam they are pulling on many of us right now. I would love to get involved in any class action lawsuit involving this mess. Please email yourkeytime@aol.com any suggestions? or anyone have this situation going on with BOFA ?

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Patricia1299
Apple Valley, US
Sep 22, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

Hello! Everyone,

I am in the same boat as everyone else. I did everything that Countrywide and Bank of America had ask me to do for the modification on my home. The really bad part is that my best friend and her family and I are living together in my home. I not only worry about my home, but I'm also feeling ashamed that my best friend family has to go through this with me as well. They have to little girls as well. The bank had said that I had qualified for evrything. They reduced my payment and took all of money. Then turned around cash the check and said that I never qualified for a thing. They also said they never received any paperwork from me at all. When I know they did get it. Because I had my a copy for myself. Both of these companies are "CROOKS". Taking everyones money and pocketing it . Then lying to each and evry one of us. I don't know what to do now. Because I am all disable at the same time. HELP! HELP! HELP. I have been dealing with these people for almost a year now. They say now I suppose to pay a different mortage amount. All they want is money, money. They need to stand up and take responsibility for what they have done to us. I have never felt so ashamed in my entire life. We are all falling through the cracks. I hope someone out there will care about all of us. We all need a mircle right now. Please! my number is [protected]. We are in all the way. I hope someone will pass a little faith our way very soon.

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Sharon Anderson
Kissimmee, US
Sep 20, 2009 5:22 pm EDT

I am a victim of Countrywide, and Bank of America. Countrywide rip me off in the first place, giving me negative amortization, and prepayment penalty. I went through hell to get out of that loan. It took me over a year. I have a first and second mortgage now, but that loan is still no good, a little bit better but still no good considering that it is not climbing higher, and higher in mortgage payments. I have good credit for heavens sake. My original loan was a no documentation loan because I had just moved for California to Florida, and I was waiting for my Nurses License transfer to get a job, so I got a no documentation loan. the interest rate was high and I refinance. Countrywide gave me the worst loan on the planet. Negative amortization. It ate up the $50, 000 I put down on my house, plus all my equity, and I had to pay a penalty to get out of it. Now I have a loan with Bank of America. I owe more than what I started out with, a first and second loan totaling $1800 a month, and I pay my taxes separately $ 6;000 a year, so you see, I own more than what the house was originally worth. I am totally screwed! I am trying to do loan modification, and it is as you say they are dragging it. Taking their own sweet time. Its bee eight months now. Ho my house was $ 310, 000. I put $ 50, 000 down, and my loan amount was $ 272, o75.00, now first loan 283, 929.00, and the second loan amount is $ 45, 000. and I think they are having a ball in ripping me off. yes I would love to join with you in contacting our member of congress. I wish there was a lawyer out there that would help me. Sharon Anderson
[protected].

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77chy77
Ingle, US
Sep 17, 2009 6:52 pm EDT

I have been fighting with BoA/Countrywide for almost a year now... I have been to hell and back with these people that it physically and mentally took a toll on me. I give up. I tried so hard to stick in there but these people are the devil. My house is going on public auction next week 9/22/2009, and I don't know what to do. I hope you guys hang in there and fight this ongoing battle. I 've lost everything thanx to BoA/Countrywide...

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cethorn
Buford, US
Sep 14, 2009 5:16 pm EDT

We are having the same problem with BOA. We were in the middle of doing a loan modification with BOA (originally with countrywide). Made one payment on the new plan when we received a UPS envelope saying we qualified for the Making Home Affordable plan. We called the # and the explained the program. We then called BOA and they told us it was legit and that it was a great program, we definitely qualified and we should go with it. We signed the papers and overnighted it back. We were also told not to pay June since it was already figured into the plan. We continued to receive letters of default, etc. We called to check and we only got a "don't worry. You are set up on a program. Disregard the letters, it takes a while for the departments to get things on the same page". We made our July payment (a much smaller payment that was under the Making Home affordable plan). In August we were still receiving leters and when we called we got the same song and dance. Under Making Home Affordable we were not supposed to make a payment in August and when we called they said to still to the agreement. Now we are in foreclosure and the house is set to be sould Oct 2nd. When we called they said, yes, we had violated the first modification and that made the 2nd one null and void!?! If we had been told that the very first time we called we would have stuck to the original modification! So now BOA is saying we can get set up on a new modification and we are in the middle of sending in new documentation. I am scared to death that no matter what they say they will go ahead and move forward with the sale. We are frustrated beyond belief! I am so glad I found this site. Iwould be

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greg lambert
Des Moines, US
Sep 08, 2009 7:07 pm EDT

We are having the same problems.Tried the modify they had us stop making payments during the process which after 4 months we were told we did not qualify.Now all most 5000.00 behind i was told that they could increase my house payment to get caught up which i was on time until they told me to stop making payments. thankfully i was able to borrow the past due amount now i am on track again. Right back where i started. Any help would be great im thinking of trying to sale my house and move to the sticks

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tellmewhy
Franklin Park, US
Aug 30, 2009 7:05 am EDT

HELP! I have been begging BoA for help since last January. April finally came and the only thing they offered was similar to what has been posted, a 3 month forbearance while the HAMP "ramped" up. Our mortgage is held by Fannie Mae, and we have a hardship. Of course at the end of the 3 months we could not pay the amount they demanded and are now 8 months behind and just received a letter from a debt collector for the whole amount of our mortgage, over $240, 000. We are now deep in foreclosure and don't know where to turn. Every customer service rep at BoA has told me a different story, and now there is no assistance for us. This baloney of them caring about homeowners and wanting you to be able to live in your home is just that, baloney. My husband has become disabled. If that is not hardship enough, I don't know what is. Please keep similar posts coming, but if anyone has anywhere people like us can turn to, PLEASE LET US KNOW!

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lostinforeclosure
Reading, US
Aug 24, 2009 9:00 pm EDT

same situation i was actually told be a rep they were updating my information and i would get a packet in the mailin a few days .. I got an actual approval package askign to sign the docs notarize and send in a check. i did that in march 09 .. in april i got a letter stating my mod was canceled when i called they said they could not secure investor funding and now my home is in the process of foreclosure.. i have no idea what to do.. i called more time and sent payments in and was told this is not going to improve my situation I should just file bankruptcy. i called a fourth and fifth time and was told they can see when i first requested a modification was never completed on there side and that is why it was canceled.. i asked about starting another one and was told they will do it again and NOT to send in a payment it will mess up the modification what is that.. I still send in payment and the foreclosure date is getting closer and closer no new doc, but hey it says I have been approved... this is bad.. way to make a bad situation 1, 000 times worse

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Lost and concerned
Wilmington, US
Aug 21, 2009 2:23 pm EDT

We have had the same exact problems with Countrywide/bank of America only our loan is a Freddie mac. They have told me over and over I dont qualify for different reasons. I talked to Hope Now.com and they said we do qualify. I started talking to Countrywide/bofa in May when we were current on our loan because my husband had been out of work. Under the guidelines set up by Freddie mac being on time with a financial hardship qualifies you. I sent them paperwork and then in June when I inquired again they said I didnt qualify because I was now over 30 days late - WHAT? I called when I wasnt late. My husband was out of work for several months and we only missed two months of payments - now he is employed and eventhough we are two months behind we pay our mortgage normall to keep us somewhat. When I call because my account is in review they tell me over and over I dont qualify.. I keep reminding them that I did when I first called.. they just make excuses and are very deceiving. In the meantime our former great credit score has dropped and we could have refinanced now we cant and BOFA continues to give us the run around. Very SAD

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GeanaK
Manasass, US
Aug 17, 2009 6:59 pm EDT

Sorry to hear so many people are dealing with Bank of America Home Loans formerly Countrywide Home Loans and getting the run around. We too know the feeling very well. In Sept. 2008 we were several months behind on our mtg. We actually had the money to bring the loan current available on Sept. 16, 2008. Approximately Sept.10, 2008, we received Loan Modification Agreement documents. We verified with Countrywide Home Loans that the documents were legitimate and inquired if we should make the past due payments since we would have all the money on Sept. 16. We were told not to pay the past due amounts because it was already calculated into the Loan Modification Agreement and to begin making the new payment amount beginning October 1, 2008. We signed, notarized, and returned the Loan Modification via Fed Ex envelope provided by Countrywide Home Loans on Sept 11, 2008. The deadline to return it was by Oct.5, 2008. We started making the new payment amount in October 2008 and have been making the same payment every month. Nothing has been updated on our account to reflect the Loan Modification. We received letters of intent to accelerate the loan to which we called Countrywide Home Loans and told them we have a loan modification that took effect Oct. 1, 2008. They verified this and said not to worry it would take 90 days to update in the system, in the mean time continue to make the payments according to the Loan Modification terms.We have called Countrywide Home Loans numerous times to see when this would be updated on account and we have received the run around. You can't speak with the same person twice and we were told it is being processed and to continue to make the payments according to the Loan Modification, or it is in review for funding or no you don't have a loan modification, or the loan modification expired. March 2009 we received notice of foreclosure and a scheduled sale date of April 4, 2009. We contacted Countrywide Home Loans and was fortunate to speak with a person that recognized they had let the "loan modification fall through the cracks" and she contacted the attorney handling the foreclosure and stopped it. The account was "escalated for updating." The account has been "escalated" numerous times. Here it is August 2009 and we continue to make the monthly payments according to the Loan Modification Agreement that took effect October 1, 2008. The payments have not been applied until there is enough money to satisfy the original monthly payment, Bank of America Home Loans formerly Countrywide Home Loans are negative credit reporting us. Our account has not been updated to reflect the loan modification and our account shows that we owe over $6, 0000. We were told to apply for a loan modification or a refinance under The Making Homes Affordable Plan, we told them that we already have the loan modification from October 1, 2008 so why would we need to apply for another one. Someone did a quick calculation of our income to loan ratio and said no we do not qualify for a loan modification under the Making Homes Affordable Plan. The last conversation with Bank of America Home Loans we were told we do not have a loan modification agreement, that it expired. The date on the Loan Modification said the last payment is October 1, 2048 so how can this be expired. We requested to speak with the supervisor's manager and were told he was not currently available but an e-mail request was sent to him and he would contact us within 48 hours. This is the longest 48 hours ever. It has been over a month and we have not heard a word. This is not the first time that a supervisor was to return our call and did not. We believe Bank of America Home Loans formerly Bank of America Home Loans is committing fraud and have notified our Congressman of our situation.

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tigger578
84 cearbrook ave, US
Aug 15, 2009 3:20 am EDT

I too have had problems with countrywide/boa. I was told I don't qualify for any programs because I was current, When I was unable to make a payment and fell behind they still said I did not qualify for help because the company, not boa, that was the true holder of my morgage was not pertisipating in the goverment programs. I was two payment behind and recieved a notice that I need to make a 4, 000 dollar payment in one week or my house would be foreclosed on. I called and was told to try back in aweek to see if there was something thay could do for me, I did and by that time no one would talk to me because all they wanted was my back payments. According to the gov websites I qualify for the program but boa says I dont. I took money out of my 403b and caught up my morgage cause I dont want to loose my house. Then in July I made my payment and boa decided to take two payments and short my bank account 1600 dollars, when I called they refused to return the payment they took without my permission, after being transfered from india to texas and three hours on the phone later I had to call my bank and they had to dispute the charges which required them to cancel both payments boa took out of my account. Its funny boa told me there was no way to return the money to me but my bank got it back in twenty minutes. At boa's request I waited 5 days to make the payment again so the other payments had cleared their sysytem as returned, of course this put me into augest and now I am late and its not their fault of course. I have tried for a week to make my julys payment and boa will not except it. I think they want me to loose my house. I was current and making my payments every month and now I am behind again and I have no was to pay all the fees they have and even if I did they will not take my payment, I am one month late due to their error and today I recieved an intent to forclose letter. There has to be something we can do, can they really get away with this, Is there even one customer that they are not ******* over.

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Felix Garcia
East Orange, US
Aug 11, 2009 2:02 am EDT

I have been on LOA sick since 9/8/08 and I had to get short term disability from the state I live in N.J. I fell behind when the 26 weeks of disability were finished. I applied in Oct. of 2008 for social security disability and did not receive a penny until May of 2009 by then I was a few months behind and was threatend by Countrywide/Bk of America of Intent of foreclosure . I have spoken to many customer service and loan solution reps. at the company that lie to you just to satisfy you temporarily I have spoken to Hopeline cr. counselors, Hud program, written on line to the President Obama Admin. twice about my problem with Countrywide/Bk of Am. I have been on lion with 7 online twice, and have yet to get an answer to my loan modification/rate reduction, to get some relief. I have been paying the co. for about 8 years and owe 22yrs. 5months. I have contacted the VA that helped me purchase the home in the beginning and still was tossed from dept. to dept. and still have no answers for any rate reduction or loan modification, Countrywide told me several times that they could not help me and when I met there requirements they still claim I do not qualify for a rate reduction. I received a call from Bk of Am. and was told to wait 10 business days to see if they can do what they call a workout program? I have a week to see on a website they told me to go to and see if I qualify. If anyone has a class action suit against Countrywide/Bk of America please e-mail me at [censored]arcia88804@yahoo.com Immediately I will be more than happy to join the battle to preserve the American dream that everyone in America deserves. I was an Army National Guardsmen for 8 years and still get no respect that I deserve. All Americans deserve a right to fight for what they have worked hard for. It is my opinion that the companies that can take atvantage of honest hard working people should be investigated ASAP.

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WitchyD
Boothwy, US
Aug 08, 2009 8:25 pm EDT

Oh God, I'm so glad I found this site. BofA totally sucks! I thought I was rid of that bank after I moved away from California, but since they bought Countrywide I am STUCK with them!

Due to a layoff, I have been spreading out my mortgage payments. Beware! BofA does not like this. They did not count a payment as a partial payment, and instead applied it to the principal. Then at the end of the month, they were saying I was overdue and they reported me to the credit reporting agencies. This created a delinquent notice on my reports.

Now, I am ruined! All of my credit cards are either canceling my accounts or lowering my credit limits, further reducing my credit score. All because of Bank of America. BofA refuses to take this information off my credit reports, despite me having called them and written to them several times. I disputed the notice with the credit agencies, but they are all in league with the banks.

These money-grubbing ### took all that TARP money and WILL NOT HELP ANYONE!

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Kristya
Long Beach, US
Aug 02, 2009 7:01 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I found this site yesterday and was reading all the posts about B of A and all their deception. I too am dealing with them but I feel that no one is really doing anything about it. Bank of America receives TARP funds from the government to help struggling homeowners stay in their homes right. Why not go directly to sigtarp.gov and complain about your experiences. If B of A is committing fraud then it is this agency’s duty to investigate. If everyone who posted go to that website and write a complaint then maybe we can get someone to do something about it. I just sent off my complaint and I hope that you all will join me also. It is good to rant but it is even better to have change come about. Please go to SIGTARP.GOV and file your complaint and maybe together we can hold B of A accountable and save our homes at the same time.

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DZvoice
San Anselmo, US
Aug 01, 2009 5:42 pm EDT

Countrywide approved my home modification back in March 09. All paperwork and approvals were in order and I made my first payments under the mod agreement. Then I was sent a denial letter. I called, they said it was a mistake and that they just needed to send an email with the proper codes attached and everything would be fine. Then BofA purchased Countrywide. They have continued to bill me under my old loan status, which leaves me $1200.00 per month neg-am. I've added $30, 000.00 to my loan amount in 2 years. Now they keep saying that they are so busy that they can't get an answer as to why my loan has not been coded to the agreed upon modification and for 5 months they've not been able to fix the problem. I'm continually paying, on time, and am still neg-am every month. Now they're trying to say that I never "qualified" for the modification in the first place when I was with Countrywide! Fraud. It's that simple...it's fraud. They take our tax dollars, pretend to help us, wave us in the air to TARP like "Hey, LOOK! Here's another homeowner we helped!" Then, after words, they find numerous types of red tape to make sure they don't have to make good on their "CONTRACTED AGREEMENTS"! It's unbelieveable. We all need to pull together and file for a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT! IT'S FRAUD!

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maneed
Raleigh, US
Jul 31, 2009 9:35 pm EDT

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to place a complaint? I need someone to help me sort this confusion out before Bank of America Home Loans foreclose on my house.

I was mailed 2 sets of contracts with different amount from CountryWide Home loans on February 11, 2009 to work out a repayment plan. I called CountryWide and was told by the representative to mail the contract back that had the lesser amount $871.64. I received a letter stating that the loan modification has been approved and the amount to pay would be April 1, 2009 amount due would be $870.13. The returned deadline was March 17, I returned the package March 11, 2009. I returned the contract and other documents notarized by way of federal express the envelope that was provide to me by CountryWide Home Loans. I called to confirm the package had been received, and yes it had. I made my April & May’s payment and June payment and June 22, 2009 I received a letter stating “your western union quick collect money transfer has been declined”. On that very day I started calling and talking to Managers and nothing has been done. The Manager stated that the loans had not been funded. This is the reason my account had not been processed. I have the letter stating the the modificiation had been approved.
Prior to making payment I was told that the process of removing the default code from my account would take some time. I’ve talked to several "escalation managers" and I have the dates that I called in only to be told that this process isn’t a quick fix it will take some time and not to worry cause my issue had been escalated. I’ve rec’d a summons to appear in court and in October and the sale date of my house is November, 2009. Bank of America has a long history of my calling in to resolve this issue. I’m in need for assistance. I’m getting letters from people offering to buy my house and my name and address are in public records for forclosure. I’ve called Bank of America Home Loans to talk with someone in the Making Your Home Affordable, and no one will talk with me because of the FORCLOSURE status that is on my account. I’ve called Bank of America almost everyday since. The representative I talked with on July 29, tried to transferred me to an escalation mgr. And he would not talk with me, he told her that my loan was being reviewed for a fannie mae loan and this would take time. She stated that it (my issue) was noted that someone would be calling me back July 31, 2009. She stated do you know that your loan is 7 months behind. I would not be this far behind if CountryWide hadn’t offered me a modification. I thought that the transition of moving from CountryWide to Bank of America Home Loans would not have been this complicated. One representative said you are not alone we have 2, 000 people in the same situation. I can’t believe this. I received document from an attorney’s office and the next day I received a summons from the court system to meet them in court. Why would they just want to take my house? I called Bank of America and nothing has been updated on my record by anyone. I just don’t know what I should do at this point. I have the dates and names of everybody that I’ve talked to at CountryWide and Bank of America Home Loans. I called the Attorney's General's Office and was escalated to a Escalation Manager and tried to explain the situation to her and she ended up hanging up on me. What's wrong with these people? Where is this Making Homes Affordable Law sitting on someone's desk? HELP!

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Alan Sullivan
Fredericksburg, US
Jul 30, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

I sent all info, etc as requested & was put on a 3 month trial period. The first reduced amount trial payment was due 6/12/09 I had my payment in to BOAon 6/9/09. I made the first two payments and now before the third payment was due I recieved a registered letter dated 7 /27/09 that my house will be sold at auction on 8/11/09. Not much notice. The papers I have say I would receive a letter AFTER my trial period as to whether I had been accepted or not. I received no such letter. Here's the bad part-the registered letter I got states that Countrywide/BOA hired the foreclosure firm on6/15 (notarized document)--that was only 3 days after my first trial payment so they never intended to do anything but let me go into default & demand full payment. What a scam! I just got this news yesterday & haven't had time to pursue-just ran across this website a few minutes ago. We need our government to do something. I am contacting Fannie Mae if I find out how. Where are our 2% bailout loans?

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Dawn Lynn
Chula Vista, US
Jul 27, 2009 10:29 pm EDT

I am a Federal bank examiner and am helping a friend negotiate with Countrywide/Bank of America (C/BofA) for a Make Home Affordable modification. With my financial background, I have a strong understanding of the US Treasury's plan and am amazed at the inaccuracies provided by the C/BofA representatives. The most prevalent one is that the plan does not apply to borrowers who are current. Actually, the program provides financial incentives to servicers who modify loans BEFORE they are delinquent. I have received the same run around as the other commentors, always being told to call back in 3 weeks, and then getting a different excuse for why nothing has been done. I have submitted the borrower's financial documents twice, and no one acknowledges their receipt when I call. What really amazes me is a statement made by an earlier commenter who said they were told that the negative equity in their home was a disadvantage to getting a modification. Actually, that should make the modification easier because the servicer must compare the cash flows they will get under the modification versus the cash flow they will get if the foreclose. If they will get more under the modification, they are REQUIRED to offer the modification if the loan is owned by FNMA or FHLMC. (You can find out if either of those entities owns your loan by going to their web site. FNMA responds promptly, but FHLMC doesn't.) Like the rest, I am very frustrated by C/BofA stonewalling. I received the following recommendation from a C/BofA representative in the refinance department: Keep asking for higher supervisors if the one you speak gives answers that are contrary to the published guidelines. My suggestion is if your loan is owned by FNMA or FHLMC, write to them as well as Bank of America's primary regulator the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and your US congressional representatives.

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Jimmylou
oakham, US
Jul 17, 2009 2:35 pm EDT

We are in the same boat as most everyone else. We bought our home 4 years ago and was always on time with our payments. My full time hours at work could no longer be secured and my husband is an electrician, so a couple of times a week during the winter, he would get called not to come in as their was just no work, no work, no pay. So, it started to get a little harder to make the payments, however, no matter what, we made, even if it meant sending in some one week, then the rest the next.

In April, we could just not pay it, so I called BOA, after going on their website and reading how they were so "understanding" and ready to help their customers, blah, blah, blah. I explained my situation and asked if their were any programs available for me. The answer was "not really, b/c you are not considered in default". She offered me to "skip a payment" and make it up with higher payments for the next few months. I did not want to skip altogether, so I paid half my payment. She then asked me a million questions about my finances, etc, hardship, and logged it into the system, then told me to fax a letter and 2 mo bank statements, and stubs and that a negotiation rep would call within 30 days. I did all of those things.

One more thing on that...She asked me if I have considered getting another job or choose another career. Let me just click my heels together and choose from the millions of jobs that are out there...oh yeah, that's right...unemployment levels are at the highest yet! Or better yet, I have been a retail buyer for 15 years...I think I will just close my eyes and become a doctor! Maybe I can get a job being a c/s rep at BOA, apparently, you do not need to know anything!

The next month, I get a letter of intent to foreclose from BOA...almost passing out in the driveway, I made a b-line for the phone and called them. The rep on the other line, was actually very nice and told me to calm down, etc... The letter is basically a scare tactic when you do not make a payment. (they do not accept partial payments) Of course, he had no records of me talking with the other c/s rep about skipping a payment etc. When I asked about the info re the loan modification, he said that no one calls you, that you get a letter of acceptance of denial within 60 days.

I am catching up on my payments know, so they obviously could care less about helping me. My credit has been affected by this, b/c BOA REPORTS ALL MISSING PAYMENTS TO THE CREDIT BUREAU ...even though you are in a supposed "payment plan or workout period" do not let them tell you differently...THEY LIE. I have never been late on ANY of my credit cards and yet my lines are getting cut and APR's getting higher and the reason is b/c of delinquency with another lender...I wonder who that might be!

Also, just an FYI, have you ever talked to someone in the Home Retention dept and they sound like they are a million miles away and you can barely understand what they are saying? They contract c/s help from both India and Costa Rica...I found this out yesterday when I called. Another tidbit...this time I was told that my application for a loan mod would take 90 days, not 30 or 60. ###s. It is done on purpose- they come off as incompetent but they know precisely what they are doing. We make ourselves nuts, repeating ourselves over and over to them. We should just record ourselves and play it for the next idiot that we get that answers the phone over there.

I never bought out of my range...our home is nothing fancy. They approved us 4 years ago for $350k...$100k more than what we were looking for. I am just glad that we did not get sucked into that hell b/c we would be living under a bridge right now.

To sum it all up, they will lie, not talk to you about a loan mod unless you are 3 mo behind, not accept partial payments- yet report you late to the bureaus, will not tell you who owns your loan if it is not Fannie or Freddie, and have a bunch of confused ###s dealing with your sensitive financial information. Welcome to Bank of America.

Good Luck to everyone!

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hadenoughofthis
Marblehead, US
Jul 16, 2009 11:17 pm EDT

Here's our story about Countrywide and Bank of America. We own/owned two houses. The first one dropped nearly 200k in value, located in KS. We tried to do a short sale and had three contracts on the house. Countrywide took SO long, over FOUR months to process anything, two of the contracts dropped out. The highest one stayed in. But after so long eventually had to drop out too. So they foreclosed on us. THEN, we find out our case was never even looked at!?!? So Countrywide buys the house back and then proceeds to RElist it with an agent for 4k more than the last contract amount?

We also own a house for sale in Maryland. We've been trying to sell it for 3+ years. We are also trying to do a short sale with Countrywide/BOA. There were two contracts on it. One dropped out because again, they were taking so long. The second contract amount of 190k would pay the CW loan off. Again, it's been nearly four months. They supposedly had approved it and it was going to go through. We just found out yesterday that they now need to postpone it AGAIN. We weren't given a reason. And, the people with the contract are now looking for other homes and are most likely going to drop the contract on our house.

The stress this has caused us is unbelievable. My husband lost his job back in Jan. Luckily he found something else and he is working but the position was contingent upon him obtaining a clearance. So we're trying to get it processed, but the problem is they want to know if you're trying to do anything to rectify your financial situation. WE are trying, HAVE been trying but Countrywide and Bank of America have done everything they could to NOT let us sell our properties for some reason. If my husband doesn't get the clearance, he may lose his job. Then what? What is wrong with these people? It's insane!

I don't think the public has ANY idea just how messed up the housing system is. I'm beginning to wonder if Countrywide/BOA are trying to show more losses on their balance sheets so they can get more bailout money! Someone needs to shine some light on this issue. It makes no logical sense and if they are doing it to us, the same company, to the same customers on TWO different properties, then just WHAT are they doing to help get this economy back on track in regards to the housing market?

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Snoop, Lil Wayne, Lady GaGa -- land the tix you need for this summer's biggest tours. Tourtracker.com

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MORTGAGEHELP
Oviedo, US
Jul 14, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

I have contacted Countrywide/ Bank of America several times in the past year. They keep telling me to miss a payment and they can help me. Thing are really tight right now and I don't want to just throw the towel in. Missing a would obviously hurt my credit. It's easy for someone behind a desk to just suggest something like that. For years my husband and I have worked so very very hard to establish good credit. Over the past few months Countrywide has told me that I qualified for the refinance under Obama's plan. First they came me a number and told me that they would call me back. I never got a call back so I called and they said just to wait a little longer for the details of the plan. I keep calling and they tell me to wait for phase two because it will better for me. I called after phase two came out and now they tell me that I need to wait because interest rates are too high. OMG if they had moved on it when I spoke to them a few months ago that would not have been the problem. I'm so upset and really don't know where to go from here. Does anyone have any advice for me? Should I just start missing payments like some of the Countrywide people have told me to do? Does anyone know of a company I can call who can help? Thanks ahead of time. tuckerfamily@cfl.rr.com

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Veron
Willow Spring, US
Jul 11, 2009 8:39 pm EDT

class action suits against>Countrywide and BOA...any in NC

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Veron
Willow Spring, US
Jul 11, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

Are there any class action suits going on in NC?

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Veron
Willow Spring, US
Jul 11, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

I need anyone in NC to contact me...we need to united to get our stories to our State Senators.
Please contact me and we will get a petition signed and then we can show, United we Stand .
You that they only listen to #'s. These stories are toooooooooooo much alike. Therefore, we know they are playing a game. So lets beat them at this. We are strong in #'s.

Please email me at annev53@yahoo.com. Put Countrywide /Bank of America in subject. And maybe we can even get on the Glen Beck show.

Silence is NOT golden.

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Tdogg
, US
Jul 11, 2009 6:27 pm EDT

I just spoke to 4 different people at BOA and got 4 different stories of where my modification is at and where the paperwork is. What is wrong with this company and why isn't the savior Obama doing anything about monitoring this to actually save the homeowners that qualify! I am so F-ing frustrated!

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bofaisabust
Lake Havasu City, US
Jul 05, 2009 12:26 am EDT

Due to the current recession, my income has been reduced by 65% and I had been supplementing it with savings for approximately 2 years. The savings ran out and I called Countrywide, now B0fA in regards to the Home Affordability Loan Modification Plan. I was informed by Countrywide and again by BofA that I would need to be delinquent in my mortgage to qualify...up until this point I was not. Since then I have gotten the biggest run around BofA denying the advice to become delinquent, then saying I qualify, calls from call centers and workers who very obviously have no authority or knowledge concerning the Home Affordability plan, request for partial payments with no specific amount and refusal by Bof A to put ANYTHING in writing either via fax, email or postal service mail. The point being it is not the plan that is flawed, but the attitude and poor decision making at the top levels of B of A. They seemed unconcerned that they will lose far more financially through foreclosing, the cost of missed payments, the legal costs of foreclosure and ultimately in the majority of situations the lessened values of the properties when/if sold following the foreclosure process. This company in it's actions or more accurately lack of action will decimate neighborhoods across the nation, lowering values and desirability and ruining lives. Keep fighting, but make alternate plans for your own salvation. What can we do? Can we try writing our congress persons, senators, the treasury department asking for oversight and solutions, boycott Bof A by canceling credit cards and bank accounts at Bof A and ask our friends and relatives to do the same, organize protests outside their offices, start a petition to be sent to our representatives and ask for a moratorium on foreclosures until an investigation into their practices is complete ? Remember, BofA has already accepted the funding for this program and signed a commitment to participate...there appears to be no participation and what might BofA be doing with the money?

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NM Mom
Albuquerque, US
Jul 03, 2009 6:04 pm EDT

The HOPE hotline is the biggest scam because it provides the most "hope" for families in bad situations and the hard-hit families fall for it. People who call are trusting that these guys are there to help. However, the telephone agents (from the US, or India, or Mexico) are simply trained to have the 'upper hand' attitude always asking you to reflect upon your financial problems and they always speak of the invisible "Investor". I asked who my investor was and they wouldn't tell me. So effectively, I have a mortgage which I want to save, that I can afford, with someone whom I never contracted and distinctly distrust because of prior business w/BofA and I'm legally obligated to keep calling and begging for an arrangement that they keep avoiding in childish and ridiculous ways. Screw that. BofA is stupid if they don't come to an agreement with me because they will lose so much more. And I suspect this is the case with many families, only BofA does not have the talent on board to see the good opportunities from the bad.

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SuperVepr
Redneckville, US
Jul 03, 2009 1:53 pm EDT

Write a letter to "CountryWide" Chris Dodd. He is in bed with them so maybe he can slip in a little pillow talk on your behalf.

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NM Mom
Albuquerque, US
Jul 03, 2009 1:51 pm EDT

Bank of America is clearly stalling and feeding all of us the same 'just wait' line. Although the topic is grim and fairly horrific, it is fairly consistent with our situation as well. Essentially, after a death in the family we were slightly behind and faxed letters for arrangements to Countrywide. We were financially able to make 1.5 payments per month but Countrywide wouldn't allow us to. So we stopped making payments but kept trying to make arrangements. Finally they put our house in foreclosure and we kept telling them we could make payments or were happy with a modification but they wouldn't allow it. Finally, after jumping through all the faxing hoops they said, we qualify, not for a modification, but rather we qualified for a review which would take 45-90 days. We're still in this period now, but they had our house up for sale next week so we had to file bankruptcy to stop that. Today I called yet again to find out about the status and was put through to the Loan Admin Bankruptcy department. I waited about nine minutes on the phone only to be fully disconnected. Nice.

I will go back again next week and start fighting this again, but I'm very concerned that there is a massive scam going on here because they are holding our notes and not giving us a voice. My house has gone down considerably in value and I'm not even asking them to adjust that. I simply want to get on a regular plan to pay my mortgage and they are being fully uncommunicative with me every time I call. Very much the same sort of text I've seen in all of these. I am filing a complaint with the New Mexico Attorney General, but I'm starting to think we need to write to the US Attorney General en masse. Bank of America used to be a company that was productive for Americans, now it is just another multi-nationally owned soulless entity that is far too large for proper consumer protection.

My husband says that I shouldn't take this personally because they are fully incompetent, and I guess I don't, but at the same time, if this bohemoth is being wholly irresponsible in its business relationship with individual homeowners who require their cooperation they need to be held to account. American consumers, many like me who didn't have a choice to deal with them because they just bought the loan from my local originator, deserve better and faster professional service than this, especially with this nationwide economic crises.

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KS Wells
Carson City, US
Jul 02, 2009 11:02 pm EDT

Katherine Wells
Carson City, Nv 89706

JULY 2, 2009

My story is the same as all of the others already posted comments. As, I have been unemployed since February 2008. I have had the time to stay glued to the news channels. So I started my process 15 days after Paulson made the announcement there where other programs that would help many home owners and encourage the banking industry to do so, which was Dec 16, 2008.

With no clear dialog with a representive (that has a job) it is impossible to make any progress. I am more than willing to pay my debt. I just feel that some how we the people need to once again take lessons from history. I am feeling that it is going to take all of us to take to the streets and nicely demand that oversight of the human beings that think of only themselves to stop and think about what they have done to profits by being so Greedy and uncaring about others. Big companies have to have a product to sell and service to stay in business. However, the management just doesn't get if there are no small people buying their product and service, they will not have any wages or the big bonus. They will be living in the streets also.

Like many of you others I took the advice of these Greedy individuals and used the equity in my home. I also had faith and hope when I used a link on The CNN home web page and was once again taken big time. Now, I am trying to dispute this with my credit card company. Once again, greed and dishonestly is still the big business. I know in my heart I would get the maximum pentaly and go to jail if I did these things. I will say that my trust, faith and hope are now very guarded.

Oh, by the way, the company that I wish to add to this complaint is HOPE NOW MODIFICATIONS, LLC. 200 LAKE DRIVE EAST, SUITE 200, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002

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koyboy
Missouri City, US
Jul 02, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

We have a loan with BOA/Countrywide. We were affected by Hurricane Ike last year in October where we had to leave town, plus pay for gas, hotel, food, etc. We called them to ask for a forbearance (which at the time we thought they would forgive this payment and tack onto the end) on our loan. We spoke to someone and they took our information to go for review. Well review stated that that we only qualified for a deferment and we had 3 months to catch up on our house note with no late fees. Well needless to say, we live paycheck to paycheck that won’t work for us. So we did what we could and made a payment plus a little extra and at the end of the three months we still weren’t caught up. We called back and asked for assistance on this. They took all of information such as our monthly bill payments, medical bills, etc and then told us we had too much outgoing versus incoming so we didn’t qualify and to call back when your status changes (making more money). So we just continued to make payments. We now have hired a lawyer and paying them to fight for us on a home loan modification. BOA/Countrywide called me every day while we were making payments and harassing us on when we would pay them back and now that we have stopped paying to be able to pay a lawyer, they have yet to call. I am so frustrated because we are messing up our credit because the bank isn’t willing to work with us concerning our loan.

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Dana Hall
Lakeland, US
Jul 01, 2009 10:02 pm EDT

I am a homeowner in Polk County, Florida who, like so many others here in our area, is in danger of losing my home. My husband was laid off February 13th, 2009, and as a result, our household income has significantly decreased. I started calling my lender, Countrywide Home Mortgage that same day to see if I would qualify for President Obama's "Making Home Affordable Plan". I have since talked to many, many representatives at Countrywide, all of which have told me repeatedly that they would let me know something in 2-4 weeks. They told me in March that they didn't have the specifics on the plan, and that their computer systems were not yet set up to refinance homes under Obama's new plan. I have called every 1-2 weeks since February, stressing to them each time that I really needed to get help soon, since my savings would only get me through a few months of making my $2700.00 a month mortgage payment. I currently have a 15 year loan term and just need to refinance (loan modification) to a 30 year term to get my payment lowered during this financial crisis. **I do have a Fannie Mae loan—so I do qualify for the Making Home Affordable Plan**

In April I could not make the payment and called, once again to see if I was eligible for the plan, only to be told that they would let me know in 2-4 weeks. They did ask for their payment and told me that they would not accept a partial payment. They stated that if I couldn't pay the entire amount that they wouldn't accept anything else. So, by the end of April, they were (and are) calling for their money. The last week of April, I spoke with a representative from Countrywide that had called to ask for a payment and I told him that I found it funny that when they wanted their payment, they were so quick in calling, but when I call for help in refinancing my mortgage I have been put off for almost 3 months. The rep told me that he would be happy to take my information at that time and that he would be able to tell me that day if I qualified. I had already been told that I did not qualify for traditional refinancing because due to the current housing market, my home was valued at $42, 000 less than what I owe. He took the info during a 47 minute phone call and then placed me on hold for 5 minutes.
When he came back on the line he told me that he would let me know something in 2-4 weeks. I could barely contain myself at that point. I reiterated with him that he had just told me that he said he could tell me if I qualify that day. He apologized and said "sorry, it will be 2-4 weeks". I then asked to be transferred to the refinance department, shared the entire story with another man who seemed genuinely concerned and said that he would try to help me. He took the same information that the other gentleman had just taken and told me that he wasn't suppose to tell me this...but, since I had PMI (Private Mortgage
Insurance) attached to my home loan, I would not qualify for the Making Home Affordable plan until Phase 2 or 3 of the plan. I asked him to explain and he told me that the plan was rolling out in 3 phases. He stated that we are only in Phase 1 now and that he would expect it to last at least 1 year. He said that since my home loan is guaranteed with PMI, that the lenders know that they will get their money if the homeowner defaults so I would be in the last group of people the lenders will make an effort to help. He told me that he wasn't suppose to tell me this, but he felt that I was a good client and that he could see that I had never paid late and thought I really needed to know since I was depleting my savings. He said that they would most likely keep telling me that they would let me know when I qualified and would tell me it would be another 4 weeks or so (which is exactly what they have done since February) and that they would try to keep me paying until Phase 3, when they would help me. He said that he wasn't saying that I wouldn't eventually qualify, just that my loan, guaranteed with PMI would most likely not be refinanced for approximately another 1 1/2 to 2 years. I couldn't believe it! Finally...someone was wiling to tell me the truth. I keep thinking about his words, "I'm not supposed to tell you this...but". What is going on here? Is this legal? Am I being discriminated against because I HAD to purchase PMI as a condition of my loan, and now it is being used to disqualify me from the help that I need because if I default on my loan before they want to help me, they will get paid for the house and the house to boot?

The last week of May, I once again spoke with a Countrywide rep who told me that I only have 2 options at this point, list my home as a short sale or sign the house over to the “deed in lieu of foreclosure”. I almost laughed! I calmly explained to him that I was only 2 months behind on payments and was more than willing to catch them up if the company was willing to help me. He told me that that was not going to happen and these were my only options. I politely told him that neither of those options would work for me, and that I would not do a short sale, so they could sell my home for much less than its value and then submit a claim on my PMI to re-coup the remainder of my loan, nor would I be signing the house over to them to save them from filing a foreclosure on me and saving them that money. I would not be doing them any favors….as they have surely not done me any.

I have called the [protected]- HOPE line for help as well, and they have never heard of this either. They are tried to get someone at Countrywide to talk to them about it and have told me that they would let me know, but as of July 1st, Countrywide / BOA has not responded. I have contacted my Congressman, Adam Putnam who is going to contact the Office of Thrift Supervision (your office) on my behalf; I have filed complaints with HUD, The Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Finance, all of my state Senators, state Congressmen, all of my state Representatives and various other government organizations. I remain hopeful that Congressman Putnam or one of the various agencies that I have contacted will be able to help soon.

Until then, I sit here, not knowing how much longer I will be a homeowner and what will happen next. I am not paying my house payment, which goes against everything I truly believe in, but I can't bring myself to pay it either, knowing that when I am totally broke by June that they will have gotten paid for my house when I have defaulted and will have my home. Why would people like me continue to pay, knowing the day will come when you can no longer pay and the lender will have taken what little money you had left, still won't refinance the home and will take the home as well.

If you know anything about this...if this is legal...of if this is in the Making Home Affordable Plan (since I have read it and have not seen anything about PMI or rolling it out in 3 Phases, please help me ...if you can. I know I am not the only one...but it really matters to me and my family
**Also, if anyone is filing a class action lawsuit against BOA/Countrywide, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Dana Hall

J
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Joan Brady
Rome, US
Jul 01, 2009 7:46 pm EDT

Well, I guess I feels some comfort knowing I am not the only one dealing with this nonsense at Countrywide/Bank of America. I have lost all trust in that whole organization to tell the truth and do the right thing.

I have made numerous phone calls, have actually lost count at this point. Each and every time I was told something different than before - from I don't qualify to Phase 2 must be implemented for those with PMI (there is no Phase 2) to someone will contact me to a process is taking place to isolate those loans who qualify for help to they don't have to participate - oh, should I go on?

At this point, I have faxed a letter of hardship, paystubs, and a signed form for them to get tax returns. I was told to call back in 7 days. I did, and was told the review process could take 90 to 120 days. Now, mind you, I started calling in November, 2008! If this program is going to work, someone is going to have to enforce it and oversee it.

This company should be called on the carpet for it's treatment of their customers and SOON!