Anyone heard of Independent ForeclosureReview.com?

[FedUp02]

We received a notice in the mail regarding a free Independent Foreclosure Review. Yes, I know, I am sure everyone has been getting this stuff in their mailboxes and email inboxes. Supposedly, they are members of the Better Business Bureau and approved by the government (not always sure if that is a good thing or not LOL). Anyway, it is for people who were going through foreclosures between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. You could be eligible for compensation or other remedy (whatever that means).
Thanks!!

[Evan Bedard]

Hello FedUp,

The independent foreclosure review is a legitimate service and is monitored by the OCC. Personally I would send back the form and see what type of assistance they will be able to provide. Here is some more information and other threads with members who have inquired about the foreclosure review.

Independent Foreclosure Review

Independent Foreclosure Review Process, Eligibility, and Information

Independent Foreclosure Review

The OCC to Help Foreclosed Homeowners With IndependentForeclosureReview.com

Following the "Not So" Independent Foreclosure Review

OCC: Correcting Foreclosure Practices

Independent Foreclosure Review

As part of those consent orders, federal regulators required servicers to engage independent firms to conduct a multi-faceted review of foreclosure actions in process in 2009 and 2010. Under the orders, independent consultants are charged with evaluating whether borrowers suffered financial injury through errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in foreclosure practices and determining appropriate remediation for those customers. Where a borrower suffered financial injury as a result of such practices, the agencies’ orders require financial remediation to be provided.


As part of that program, the 14 mortgage servicers covered by the enforcement actions will begin mailings November 1, 2011 that will continue through the end of the year. The mailings are intended to provide information to potentially eligible borrowers on how to request a review of their case if they believe they suffered financial injury as a result of errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in foreclosure proceedings related to their primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The mailings will include a request for review form.


Borrowers may also visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com for more information about the review and claim process. Assistance with the form and answers to questions about the process are available at 1-888-952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET) and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).

[FedUp02]

Hi Evan,
Thanks for your response and all of the valuable information. I agree with you and we will be doing exactly as you mentioned. I will let you know how it turns out.
FedUp

[Evan Bedard]

I hope you do end up receiving assistance from the program, I'm very interested in hearing how it turns out!

[FedUp02]

I hope you do end up receiving assistance from the program, I'm very interested in hearing how it turns out!

Me too! Thanks again Evan.

[pennygram]

I sent in my paperwork which was received on Jan 9, 2012. To date I have received 1 confirmation letter and one duplicate confirmation letter. Be prepared to wait, wait, wait, and then wait some more. AND forget about any answers to any questions - there are none - just general BS non answers like "it will take many months for a thorough and complet5e review" - exactly what that means no one wants to answer. AND "your file is being processed" - how do you know Nicole at Russ Consulting - actually she does not know - it is what the script says to tell people.

If you have gone through the loan mod hell process this is an exact repeat!

Here is the number I call - 877-465-0428 and my timeline of calls:

Robin 1/31/12, Katie (who told me to calm down - really after I have done this since Aug of 2009 you have the nerve to tell me to calm down) and Kim 2/9/12, Jackie and Frank 2/27/12, Dave who was disrespectful 3/12/12, 3/30/12 who refused to give me her name, Janice 4/2/12, Kathy and Shari and Janice 4/11/12, Shelly 4/16/12 who said there were no higher ups, Mary 4/25/12, Delores and Nicole and Sharon 5/2/12, Delores - she said Bofa reviews these recorded calls 5/7/12, Janice and Sheri who says reviews have been in process since my submission and borrowers will begin receiving notices after July 31, 2012 and then she hung up on me, 5/9/12 Nicole 5/16/12 Ebony and Ken who kindly gave me the 800# to call after July 31, 2012 which is 877-465-0428 (he was real slick giving me the same number I already call) and today 6/13/12 Katherine and Nicole who told me I already know these answers and hung up on me.

You call them up and they ask for your reference number, name, phone number and verify your mailing address. Then they tell you ZERO info so I am not sure why they need to know who they are speaking to since they have developed a system to tell everyone the same information. I also don't know why they tell everyone the same information - because i know not many people applying have the same case like mine!

hum.....

[TomEason]

I've received a half dozen of these and don't intend to respond to any. These reviews pertain to potential harm done by lenders' errors committed in the FC process during that limited time frame, meaning properties that have already been lost to FC. The reviews require substantiation and evidence of the damages to the borrower as a result of the error.

While it might sound promising to some, I wouldn't hold my breath on ever receiving any $$ as a result of the reviews. But what do I know? Hopefully I'm mistaken.

[FedUp02]

I sent in my paperwork which was received on Jan 9, 2012. To date I have received 1 confirmation letter and one duplicate confirmation letter. Be prepared to wait, wait, wait, and then wait some more. AND forget about any answers to any questions - there are none - just general BS non answers like "it will take many months for a thorough and complet5e review" - exactly what that means no one wants to answer. AND "your file is being processed" - how do you know Nicole at Russ Consulting - actually she does not know - it is what the script says to tell people.



If you have gone through the loan mod hell process this is an exact repeat!

Here is the number I call - 877-465-0428 and my timeline of calls:

Robin 1/31/12, Katie (who told me to calm down - really after I have done this since Aug of 2009 you have the nerve to tell me to calm down) and Kim 2/9/12, Jackie and Frank 2/27/12, Dave who was disrespectful 3/12/12, 3/30/12 who refused to give me her name, Janice 4/2/12, Kathy and Shari and Janice 4/11/12, Shelly 4/16/12 who said there were no higher ups, Mary 4/25/12, Delores and Nicole and Sharon 5/2/12, Delores - she said Bofa reviews these recorded calls 5/7/12, Janice and Sheri who says reviews have been in process since my submission and borrowers will begin receiving notices after July 31, 2012 and then she hung up on me, 5/9/12 Nicole 5/16/12 Ebony and Ken who kindly gave me the 800# to call after July 31, 2012 which is 877-465-0428 (he was real slick giving me the same number I already call) and today 6/13/12 Katherine and Nicole who told me I already know these answers and hung up on me.

You call them up and they ask for your reference number, name, phone number and verify your mailing address. Then they tell you ZERO info so I am not sure why they need to know who they are speaking to since they have developed a system to tell everyone the same information. I also don't know why they tell everyone the same information - because i know not many people applying have the same case like mine!

hum.....

Hey pennygram,
Wow - your story gave me major Deja Vu. I could hear B of A's Ricky Starburst's voice again. I was going to submit a request through their website, but, now, after hearing from you and Tom Eason, I am not so sure. I mean, if you have been "working with them" (term used very loosely) since Jan. 9 and still don't know anymore, within 5 or 6 months, than you did from the beginning, well (like you said) hmmm.......

We don't know if we really want to go through all of that again. Just sittin' here in limbo.......

The deadline for submission is July 31, so I'll be thinking about it.

Thanks to all for your input!!

Stay tuned!!

[pennygram]

Hey pennygram,
We don't know if we really want to go through all of that again. Just sittin' here in limbo.......

The deadline for submission is July 31, so I'll be thinking about it.

Thanks to all for your input!!

Stay tuned!!

Don't sit in limbo... while I have absolutely ZERO faith that this will be a successful program, it NEVER is a bad idea to tell your story. I firmly believe that only the outpouring of outrage and filings will get this moving forward for homeowners. Yes some will have lost their homes - think war here where solders came before us and lost not just their property but their lives for our freedoms - and some will settle just to get it over with to move forward. BUT remember it only took 15% for the tea party revolt so PLEASE don't stay in limbo - be one to fight back with whatever tools offered to you.... just don't expect any results and you will be fine.

Also be prepared to be lumped into the news reported group of homeowners that filed claims so the program can look like a success in the media.... of course we will all know differently!

[FedUp02]

[QUOTE=pennygram;409888]Don't sit in limbo... while I have absolutely ZERO faith that this will be a successful program, it NEVER is a bad idea to tell your story. I firmly believe that only the outpouring of outrage and filings will get this moving forward for homeowners. Yes some will have lost their homes - think war here where solders came before us and lost not just their property but their lives for our freedoms - and some will settle just to get it over with to move forward. BUT remember it only took 15% for the tea party revolt so PLEASE don't stay in limbo - be one to fight back with whatever tools offered to you.... just don't expect any results and you will be fine.

Oh no, we are not really giving up. That statement just meant very temporarily (and that song popped into my head). I am going to send in our info and then - come what may I guess. I mean, it doesn't cost anything (I don't think, does it?), so what the heck, right? And I don't mind being lumped in.

Happy Fathers Day to all of the fathers out there!

[Timmy19]

Hi Evan,

I published an article about my experience of filling out the application. I don't get paid for the articles about the Independent Foreclosure Review but I wished I had known the information described in the article before I filled it out. It would have saved some nerves and time. The article describes the questions etc. My Newest Odyssey (Part 2): My Experience with the Independent Foreclosure Review ? Continued - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
I'm attaching the link in case anyone else could benefit.

[Garry]

Hello FedUp,

The independent foreclosure review is a legitimate service and is monitored by the OCC. Personally I would send back the form and see what type of assistance they will be able to provide. Here is some more information and other threads with members who have inquired about the foreclosure review.

Independent Foreclosure Review

Independent Foreclosure Review Process, Eligibility, and Information

Independent Foreclosure Review

The OCC to Help Foreclosed Homeowners With IndependentForeclosureReview.com

Following the "Not So" Independent Foreclosure Review

OCC: Correcting Foreclosure Practices

Independent Foreclosure Review

As part of those consent orders, federal regulators required servicers to engage independent firms to conduct a multi-faceted review of foreclosure actions in process in 2009 and 2010. Under the orders, independent consultants are charged with evaluating whether borrowers suffered financial injury through errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in foreclosure practices and determining appropriate remediation for those customers. Where a borrower suffered financial injury as a result of such practices, the agencies’ orders require financial remediation to be provided.


As part of that program, the 14 mortgage servicers covered by the enforcement actions will begin mailings November 1, 2011 that will continue through the end of the year. The mailings are intended to provide information to potentially eligible borrowers on how to request a review of their case if they believe they suffered financial injury as a result of errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in foreclosure proceedings related to their primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The mailings will include a request for review form.


Borrowers may also visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com for more information about the review and claim process. Assistance with the form and answers to questions about the process are available at 1-888-952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET) and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).

Shit Evan, I've been throwing this crap away thinking it's B.S., stupid me. I'll be making the call.

[Evan Bedard]

Hey Garry,

Of course this is not a guaranteed program, but you still have till the end of July to apply and it definitely would not hurt to give it a shot.

[Evan Bedard]

Hi Evan,

I published an article about my experience of filling out the application. I don't get paid for the articles about the Independent Foreclosure Review but I wished I had known the information described in the article before I filled it out. It would have saved some nerves and time. The article describes the questions etc. My Newest Odyssey (Part 2): My Experience with the Independent Foreclosure Review ? Continued - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
I'm attaching the link in case anyone else could benefit.

Great article Timmy, it was well-written and listed very informative facts about applying for the foreclosure review.

[Timmy19]

You don't need any paperwork to fill out the application. You can just go online and fill it out. There is an article on what it is like. It only takes about 20 minutes. See link below for the article.

[Garry]

Hey Garry,

Of course this is not a guaranteed program, but you still have till the end of July to apply and it definitely would not hurt to give it a shot.

I just made the call Evan, I meet the initial requirements for my first and second and was sent out notices for both. I'll let you know how it goes but they say it could take months.

[Timmy19]

Evan,

I'm not much of a Forum person so I don't really know much about posting and contacting anyone. I am thinking about writing another article focusing on the bold part below. I would like to make a list of all the erros or other problems that occurred. I think if there was an article that included a list, it would be easier for anyone involved to come up with some additional ideas. I could include another list on what kind of financial injuries occurred but I think the review focuses on the error part more. The only thing I would need for the article is a brief error (no long description, just one sentence) and the state.

"The Independent Foreclosure Review will determine whether individual borrowers suffered financial injury and should receive compensation or other remedy because of errors or other problems during their home foreclosure process."

[FedUp02]

Hi Evan,

I published an article about my experience of filling out the application. I don't get paid for the articles about the Independent Foreclosure Review but I wished I had known the information described in the article before I filled it out. It would have saved some nerves and time. The article describes the questions etc. My Newest Odyssey (Part 2): My Experience with the Independent Foreclosure Review ? Continued - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com
I'm attaching the link in case anyone else could benefit.

Hi Timmy19,
Thank you for the link to your article. Very interesting and full of good information. We haven't filled out our info yet, but, will probably get to it by this weekend. Will let you know when I know. Yes, I know it will take a while. But, hasn't that become a requirement with these things? Hurry up and wait.

[FedUp02]

Shit Evan, I've been throwing this crap away thinking it's B.S., stupid me. I'll be making the call.

Hi Garry,
LOL! I thought the same thing when I first received this, but, when in doubt, I always go into Loan Safe for advice. I am glad I did this time.
Fed

[Timmy19]

I would like to write another article (like the one mentioned above) that focuses on "The Independent Foreclosure Review will determine whether individual borrowers suffered financial injury and should receive compensation or other remedy because of errors or other problems during their home foreclosure process."

If you would like to contribute, simply fill out the blanks below. I will not mention names of people. Names of banks only if there appears to be a pattern in the kind of errors that happened.

If you would like to contribute to a list of errors and the financial injury banks caused, you can just fill in the blanks in the following sentence. Post it here and I will check back to see if I can get enough information to make a list for an article.

Fill in the blank spaces in the sentence below:
I have suffered financial injury in the form of ……..because the bank/servicer……made the error of ………

My own example:

I have suffered financial injury in the form of losing my business becausethe bank/servicer Aurora Loans made the error of ……

1.going ahead with the foreclosure even though I made timely and successful trialpayments >
2.was unwilling to lower the principal to fair market value (their fair market value was stated as682,000 while official county tax records recorded $490,000. Where did they gettheir number from? The servicer's official statement said that they denied loan modification becauseit would require too much reduction of the principal of the house. (house is in California)




The reason why I would like to write the article is because I really have no idea what kind of injury or what kind of error would justify any compensation or remediation. By creating a think tank of ideas on what the independent reviewers are actually looking for and by informing the public, maybe we can prevent that nobody gets anything because no one knows what they want.

Any feedback in regard to this is appreciated.

[pennygram]

Well they have extended the deadline to Sept 30 because the program is such a disappointment with the amount of filings to date - I believe less than 200,000!

So what has happened to the at least 100,000 that have already applied? Just sitting collecting dust would be my guess. Jan 9 my paperwork was received and as of today ZERO response. I honestly do not understand why not one case has been decided. Seems they are spending time, money and effort to get people to apply and zero anything on what they already have.

The reason I applied was because I sued my mortgage company to get the loan modification that I was told I would receive and instead after providing everything and doing exactly the steps they told me to do I was denied and put into foreclosure immediately with a sale date on my home.

Plaintiff = me, Defendant = Bank

Background from court filings:

Lawsuit arises out of a dispute concerning a loan modification... the plaintiff's assert that defendants made certain misrepresentations concerning a loan mod... due to the failed loan mod the plaintiffs claim they were subjected to foreclosure proceedings... before the scheduled foreclosure proceedings the plaintiffs filed this lawsuit...

The settlement involves the payments of money, the modification of the plaintiff's home loan and the removal of the negative credit reporting. The plaintiff's qualified for a loan modification.

Once the settlement agreement was reached the mortgage company decided that they would not add in the additional consideration of removal of all negative credit reporting to the formal agreement and we decided we would not sign it because we did not like the way the item was worded. So they filed a motion to enforce settlement agreement and we filed a response ""the Defendants have refused to follow through on the promises to clear up the negative credit reporting".

The exact Judge's order -

This matter comes before the Court on the Defendants' Motion to Enforce Settlement.

The plaintiffs filed a response and the parties have submitted various exhibits for this Court to
consider, including the release. After considering the material and submissions before this Court
and having held a hearing, this Court finds that the parties have entered into a binding settlement.

The Court finds that the issue concerning the scope of the credit reporting is due to be decided in
favor of the plaintiffs.

This Court also finds that the filing of the release constitutes a waiver of the confidentiality
provision in the release to the extent it is part of the Court file.

The parties are herebydirected to revise the release as necessary and to perform the obligations
imposed by the settlement.

So I received my loan mod, a cash payment and the removal of ANY negative credit reporting.

Of course I encourage everyone to apply for any and all of these programs but the only help I have ever received was through my own efforts with court action. My battle was 1 year 11 months.

Good Luck to ALL!

[pennygram]

Update: Called today and spoke with Zuleima - you can call our tool free number after Sept 30 to get an update on your case.

Exactly as I suspected - they just changed their wording from April to July to Sept now. Don't you love it when a plan comes together so they cna continue using the same manuals with insert different date BS......

[TomEason]

Hi pennygram

Thanks for posting your story and congratulations on your success.

You're to be commended for taking those legal actions, and for insisting the lender live up to their obligations per the settlement agreement.

And FWIW, I too am skeptical that any positive results will come of the Independent Foreclosure Reviews.

[Timmy19]

Hi Everyone,

The third article on my experience with the Independent Foreclosure Review is published and contains updates. The OCC has a framework now describing more specifically what compensations can be expected and what constitutes an "error" by the bank.
My Newest Odyssey (Part 3): My Experience with the Independent Foreclosure Review – Update 3

[Garry]

Well I finally got around to filling the review forms out for BofA and have my confirmation code, we'll see how it goes.
Thought about doing Chase also (my second) but I don't think I have any ground to stand on with them.

[rockbottom]

I didn't fill mine out either....didn't see a point. I didn't know the deadline had been pushed back to September till I just read this thread. Not sure if I should/will fill out the form since I have extra time. We did just receive a letter this past weekend from the law firm representing the mortgage company that they are requesting the sale of our home. We included both our mortgages in our Chapter 7 (converted from a Chapter 13) and we did not reaffirm either one. The BK was discharged in September 2010. This letter comes a long time (this November will be 2 years) after the first letter stating that we were in default. Any chance filling this Foreclosure Review thing out will delay my foreclosure?

By the way, I have tried numerous times to post a new thread in several forums & I keep getting a "Page not found" message after I click the submit thread button. Anyone know why?

[TomEason]

I didn't fill mine out either....didn't see a point. I didn't know the deadline had been pushed back to September till I just read this thread. Not sure if I should/will fill out the form since I have extra time. We did just receive a letter this past weekend from the law firm representing the mortgage company that they are requesting the sale of our home. We included both our mortgages in our Chapter 7 (converted from a Chapter 13) and we did not reaffirm either one. The BK was discharged in September 2010. This letter comes a long time (this November will be 2 years) after the first letter stating that we were in default. Any chance filling this Foreclosure Review thing out will delay my foreclosure?

By the way, I have tried numerous times to post a new thread in several forums & I keep getting a "Page not found" message after I click the submit thread button. Anyone know why?

To start a new thread, you'll first want to choose the forum. Then, at the upper left, you'll see a "start new thread" button to click.

For more ideas on delaying a TS, you might visit this thread. Go to page 1 to get an idea of come creative moves you might make.

http://www.loansafe.org/forum/chase-...heel-game.html

[rockbottom]

Thanks Tom....but I have done the start new thread thing. Every time I type out my post & hit the submit/post button it goes to the "Not found" error message. Very frustrating---I have a post I want to make about our situation. Read some of your Hamster Wheel Game thread & my head is spinning. I have no idea where to begin or what to do to try & stop or delay our foreclosure.

[TomEason]

Hi rockbottom

Thanks for your post.

I don't know why the system is doing that when you try to start a new thread. I agree it is frustrating.

As far as the HAMPster Wheel Game thread, I recommend you begin by reading post #5. If that post doesn't provide any ideas, you might continue reading and doing some creative thinking.

If you still need help and input, post your question and ask for help there.

[davephx]

Last time I tried posting a month or so ago I was getting the same page not found error even on replies. Wonder if this will go through. I tired both firefox and IE same result and gave up.

On the Interdependent Review
How are folks computing their damages? I will do extensive analysis of extra interest at high rate for the over a year it took to get modified the fees etc all after I was told had all info and they were just behind early i the process.

I don't know how you show this on a short one-line form if have limited room. I plan to submit by mail including my about 100 pages of call by call notes of the process to show how screwed up it was. I can not to that online.

It seems until the final deadline and all reports are in no one gets any money or any review.

[Garry]

Last time I tried posting a month or so ago I was getting the same page not found error even on replies. Wonder if this will go through. I tired both firefox and IE same result and gave up.

On the Interdependent Review
How are folks computing their damages? I will do extensive analysis of extra interest at high rate for the over a year it took to get modified the fees etc all after I was told had all info and they were just behind early i the process.

I don't know how you show this on a short one-line form if have limited room. I plan to submit by mail including my about 100 pages of call by call notes of the process to show how screwed up it was. I can not to that online.

It seems until the final deadline and all reports are in no one gets any money or any review.

I didn't give any numbers for damages, I was brief and to the point.

Good luck Dave, hoping you end up with some kind of principle reduction.

[FedUp02]

Well I finally got around to filling the review forms out for BofA and have my confirmation code, we'll see how it goes.
Thought about doing Chase also (my second) but I don't think I have any ground to stand on with them.

Hi Garry,
Just curious - did you get the form by calling or were you able to fill it out online? I haven't had a chance to check it out in a while, but, the last time I tried to get to it online, it never came up (and that was after trying numerous times). Maybe I should try calling again?
Thanks!