DO NOT PAY $$ UPFRONT FOR A LOAN MODIFICATION. From the DOJ:
Mortgage Rescue and Loan Modification Scams: Many so-called foreclosure rescue companies or foreclosure assistance firms claim they can help struggling homeowners save their home from foreclosure. Some are brazen enough to offer a money-back guarantee. Unfortunately, most of these foreclosure fraudsters take your money and run.
From what I am learning but have not personally confirmed: Alledgedly, troubled home owners call firms like CC Brown Law and connect with a call center. They give their information and are asked to pay up to $3,900 upfront. CC Brown Law and many other similar scam operations provide the caller with the name of a Co-Counsel/Lawyer in their area. That's is what they get for the money: A referral.
CC Brown Law LLC has been offering Home Mortgage Loan Modifications. This is a breaking story, so the details are slim. However, from the one website still up at this writing, CC Brown (who goes by a host of other names as well) looks like a nationwide service headquartered in Midvale, Salt Lake County, Utah.
On the news last night, the FBI asked for anyone who has had a problem with CC Brown Law LLC, and/or any of the many names they use seen below, to LET THE FBI KNOW.
In short, if the news reports and the RipOff Reports below are true, it is alleged that CC Brown Law LLC charged $Thousands in upfront fees to MODIFY HOME LOANS, either didn't do the work or failed to secure the home loan modification(s), and kept the upfront fees either way.
If true, THIS IS DESPICTABLE BEHAVIOR on so many levels. Utah, Maryland, and Connecticut have already taken actions.
AGAIN, THE FBI IS ASKING THAT ANYONE/EVERYONE THAT MAY HAVE A MORTGAGE MODIFICATION BEEF WITH CC BROWN LAW LLC contact their office.
Individuals who have been working with the business on a mortgage modification and who would like information can contact a toll-free number established by the FBI at 1-877-236-8947 (press option 2). The toll-free number will be activated this evening. A recorded message will advise individuals that they can submit contact information and copies of any documents to the FBI by mailing them to the FBI Salt Lake City Division, attention CC Brown Investigation. The FBI’s address is 257 East 200 South, Suite 1200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
The FBI seized records yesterday, June 12, 2012.
FBI June 12, 2012
SALT LAKE CITY—Federal law enforcement agencies executed search warrants Tuesday at three locations associated with a business formerly operating under the name “CC Brown Law Office” in Midvale and West Valley City. The business has also operated under other names, including “Sentry Legal,” “WT Lee,” and “JL Martin.” The search warrant is sealed. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the investigation.
The Utah Better Business Bureau CC Brown Report states:
! There is an alert for this business !
F RATING
Reason for Rating
BBB Ratings System Overview
55 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 34 closed in last 12 months
Cease and Desist, Maryland Commissioner Financial Regulations: CC Law
CC Brown Law LLC also doing business as:
C.C. Brown Law LLC
CC Brown Law Corporation
CC Brown Law Offices
The Law Office of CC Brown
Charles Craig Brown, Esquire
Searching for details on this breaking news I found the following:
CC Brown Law
www.ccbrownlaw.com/Welcome to the Law Offices of C.C. Brown. After 30 years of Law Practice Charles C. Brown is retiring due to a Medical Condition.
The website link for the above is not working.
There are 9 CC Brown RipOff Reports that seem to have a common theme. You can read them here. Here's an example from December, 2010:
My mother went with this company to try and get a loan modification , they have'nt done anything for her and she started paying them in december of 2010 . So she's already paid 3,800.00 , they said it would be done by now , now we're in foreclosure on our house, we're going to loose our home because of them not doing their job . The Government should step in and stop businesses like this , who are just out to rip you off.
I wonder if they lost their home?
Here's another
We spent over $4000 to save our home, and they did not do anything to help us. They just took our money and ran, it's not good when someone can take a family in needs money and no one will do anything.
And another:
Upfront paid money for loan modification that was denied in Jan. 2011 and the contract signed with CC Brown was 100% refundable which is why I went with them.
Since Jan. 2011 they have jerked me around and continue to advise me someone is handling the refund but never calls me back and haven't seen any of that money.
DO NOT use this law firm, as part of the contract is you cannot take them to small claims court.
Part of the contract? Is this really allowed in Utah? It wouldn't surprise me, as this is a 100% Pro-Business state. But really? No recourse in court?
However, I did find the following. It looks like CC Brown had "Co-Counsel" throughout the country. In the interest of helping the public good, and in case this information is also removed or unavailable as a result of the FBI investigation, I have made a copy and recorded this information below in order to help those who may have had problems with any CC Brown Law transactions.
CC BROWN WEBSITE as of June 13, 2012
The Law Office Of CC Brown - Attorney Profiles
6/15/11 9:54 AM
CONTACT US 801 256-8500
PRACTICE AREAS
Real Estate Finance
Civil Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs
Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Entertainment
LAWYER PROFILES
Charles Craig Brown
From a US Bankruptcy Trustee while with a law firm that was proud to represent six Native American Tribes,
to Counsel for the LDS Church in South America while with the law firm of Kirton & Mckonkie;
and Senior Partner of Brown, Smith and Hanna, a Litigation, Business, Real Estate and International Law and Finance firm,
to the Senior Partner of CC Brown Law LLC.
Mr. Brown’s years of experience in the US, South America, Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia has provided him with experience in numerous areas of the Law and Business along with a host of sources to call upon. He is a graduate of the University of Utah Law School, a published author; speaks and writes fluently in Spanish.
Kasey Rasmussen
Following a successful career in internet commerce, Kasey went back to school and attended the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law where he graduated with a Juris Doctorate.
Shortly thereafter he was admitted to practice law in Utah by the State Bar Association.
Kasey brings a wealth of business, consumer banking and technology experience to his legal practice and has already produced measurable results in his work.
Currently he is focusing his legal efforts on representation of consumers in Real Estate, mortgage, and debt related cases.
Co-Counsel Listed Alphabetically BY STATE
Arizona Elizabeth Sawyer
California Wilford Lee 193 East 7200 South Suite 300 Midvale, UT 84047
Colorado Mccall Law Group 193 East 7200 South Suite 300 Midvale, UT 84047
Connecticut Daniel Goldsmith Ruggiero 1 Fieldstone Drive Rynham, MA 02767 (339) 237-0343
Ira M. Turner 6 Franks Court Wallingford, CT 06492 (860) 227-7841
George E. Hill 44 Hyde Avenue Vernon, CT 06066 (860) 218-8092
Washington D.C. Jim Bowman 3781 Westerre Parkway Suite F Richmond, VA 23233 (804) 519-0879
Ryan Duffy Sullivan 514 Meford St Sharlestown, MA 02129 (781) 316-6634
Florida Owen Myers P.O. Box 323 Gotha, FL 33734
Hawaii Everett Walton 190 Keawe Street Suite 27 Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Illinois Adam Tracy 552 South Washington Street Suite 221 Naperville, IL 60540 (630) 536-8703
Indiana Ryan Worden (317) 222-1997
Iowa J.D. Haas 8151 33rd Avenue South Suite 208 Bloomington, MN 55425
Louisiana Jonathan DeTrinis 4600 South Prieur New Orleans, LA 70125 (504) 994-5500
Taetrece Harrison 105 Wilshire Street New Orleans, LA 70125 (504) 914-5885
Maine Daniel Goldsmith Ruggiero 1 Fieldstone Drive Rynham, MA 02767
Maryland Ryan Duffy Sullivan 514 Medford Street Sharlestown, MA 02129 (781) 316-6634
Massachusetts Keith Durden Carril Building 24 Adams Street Suite 4 Quincy, MA 02169
(617) 328-4844
Ryan Duffy Sullivan 514 Medford Street Sharlestown, MA 02129 (781) 316-6634
Michigan Andrew Peterson 1475 West Big Beaver Road Suite 214 Troy, MI 48084 (248) 530-0410
Michigan Andrew Peterson 1475 West Big Beaver Road Suite 214 Troy, MI 48084 (248) 530-0410
Missouri Daniel Allen 506 North Oak Trafficway Gladstone, MO 64118 (816) 842-3328 lawoffice@bankruptcylawyerkc.com
Nebraska J.D. Haas 8151 33rd Avenue South Suite 208 Bloomington, MN 55425
New York Daniel Goldsmith Ruggiero 1 Fieldstone Drive Rynham, MA 02767 (339) 237-0343 druggieroesq@hotmail.com
North Carolina Brent F. King 9525 Birkdale Crossing Drive Suite 306 Huntersville, NC 28078 Office: (704) 896-3070 Cell: (704) 746-7123 brentsking@gmail.com
North Dakota J.D. Haas 8151 33rd Avenue South Suite 208 Bloomington, MN 55425 jdhaas@jdhaas.com
Ohio David W. Orlandini 140 Commerce Park Drive Suite C Westeville, Ohio 43082 (614) 901-9600 david@bradiganlaw.com
Kentucky Douglas Howard 218 Holly Street Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 229-9034
DCHoward5@yahoo.com
Oklahoma Rob Newark P.O. Box 2851 Oklahoma City, OK 73101 (405) 819-6128 rcnewark3@yahoo.com
Oregon Chris Schwindt 621 SW Morrison Suite 700 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 546-0141 chris@srlfirm.com
Rhode Island Daniel Goldsmith Ruggiero 1 Fieldstone Drive Rynham, MA 02767 (339) 237-0343 druggieroesq@hotmail.com
South Dakota J.D. Haas 8151 33rd Avenue South Suite 208 Bloomington, MN 55425 jdhaas@jdhaas.com
Tennessee Dan Morse 193 East 7200 South Suite 300 Midvale, UT 84047 (801) 265-8500
Texas Rob Newark P.O. Box 2851 Oklahoma City, OK 73101 (405) 819-6128 rcnewark3@yahoo.com
Virginia Ryan Duffy Sullivan 514 Medford Street Sharlestown, MA 02129 (781) 316-6634
Washington Chris Schwindt 621 SW Morrison Suite 700 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 546-0141 chris@srlfirm.com
Wisconsin J.D. Haas 8151 33rd Avenue South Suite 208 Bloomington, MN 55425 jdhaas@jdhaas.com
Nevada Vic Perri 193 East 7200 South Suite 300 Midvale, UT 84047
New Hampshire Ryan Duffy Sullivan 514 Medford Street Sharlestown, MA 02129 (781) 316-6634
New Jersey Daniel Goldsmith Ruggiero 1 Fieldstone Drive Rynham, MA 02767 (339) 237-0343 druggieroesq@hotmail.com
Wardell Huff 1425 K Street NW, Suite 350 Washington DC, 20005 (866) 784-7177 info@whufflaw.com
P.O. Box 6072 East Market Street Leesburg, VA 21078
New Mexico Eric N. Ortiz 1112 Dartmouth Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 720-0070 ericortizesq@gmail.com
© 2009 The Law Office CC Brown - Phone 801-265-8500 - Fax 801-993-0840 All Rights Reserved - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy
http://www.ccbrownlaw.com/...
Again, this information is provided so that people who may have loan modification issues with CC Brown in states other than Utah may know who, in their area, might also be working as Co-Counsel with CC Brown. It is not clear whether or not Co-Counsels listed by CC Brown on this website are Mortgage Loan Modification Co-Counsel as CC Brown also lists other services.
AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH CC BROWN, CONTACT THE FBI OFFICE, information provided in the introduction above.
THE NEWS REPORTS:
Federal agents raid loan modification assistance offices in Midvale, West Valley By Tom Harvey | The Salt Lake Tribune
Local and federal officers on Tuesday raided the offices of a law firm that solicited up-front fees from struggling homeowners with promises of helping modify their mortgage loans.
Agents raided the CC Brown Law offices in Midvale and West Valley City, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City. The release also named "Sentry Legal," "WT Lee," and "JL Martin Law*."
The Utah State Bar directory lists Brown as a 1974 graduate of the University of Utah law school, but it says his law license was on "disability" status.
Brown could not be reached Tuesday afternoon for comment.
*JL Martin Law is located in Las Vegas.
The Law Office Of JL Martin
1810 E Sahara #142
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 418-3977
Here at JL Martin Law , we actively work on preventing any potential foreclosures and serve to protect those who are needing help under the Bankruptcy Code.
Not sure if this is related to CC Brown's J L Martin, although it is focused on housing:
JL MARTIN LAW GROUP A Nation Wide Law Firm
JL Martin Law helping the people of Las vegas Get Relief From Debt
FBI raids former mortgage law offices in Midvale and West Valley
MORE RESEARCH FOUND RE: C C BROWN LAW
CC Brown Law CC BROWN LAW FIRM SPECIALIZES IN FORECLOSURE PREVENTION This looks like a CC Brown webhost. It has success stories from CC Brown Customers.
Insider Pages Reviews for C C Brown Law Very Mixed reviews.
CC Brown Law, Fidelity Debt Solutions and Others Hit by Connecticut Department of Banking
From the Connecticutt Department of Banking:
TEMPORARY ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST
NOTICE OF INTENT TO IMPOSE CIVIL PENALTY
AND NOTICE OF RIGHT TO HEARING
I. LEGAL AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION
CC BROWN LAW LLC a/k/a CC BROWN LAW OFFICES *
("Respondent")
Facebook: CC Brown law firm SCAM 27 likes · 1 talking about this
Federal agents raid mortgage law offices in West Valley, Midvale
The FBI, IRS and Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program are creating a website to provide online resources for CC Brown customers. Anyone interested in the website may call 1-877-236-8947 (press option 2) for updates on when it will be available.
Individuals may also submit information about the company’s business practices to the FBI by email at saltlakecity@ic.
fbi.gov.
Reported by anonymous
30 Jan 2011
They're also using this number http://800notes.com/... as well.
State of Utah 2010 cease and desist order to CC Brown Law Offices
http://realestate.utah.gov/...
Possible case against CC Brown Law Offices http://dockets.justia.com/... but it might be a different CC Brown since it wasn't possible to read the details (secure login required). Anyone who can log in and find out if it is or not, please report this thread.