Lucas Law Center – LUCASLAWCENTER “INCORPORATED,” Future Financial Services, LLC, Paul Jeffrey Lucas, Christopher Francis Betts, and Frank Sullivan.
Lucas Law Center allegedly used an attorney to circumvent state prohibitions against receiving a fee before providing any services; the defendants charged up to $3,995 in advance. In addition to falsely representing that they would obtain mortgage loan modifications, the defendants told some homeowners to stop paying their mortgage in order to pay the defendants’ fee.
Consumers obtained promised refunds only after repeated complaints to the Better Business Bureau, the California Attorney General, the State Bar of California, or local criminal authorities. The court immediately barred the practices and froze the corporate defendants’ assets, pending a hearing.
The FTC asks people to report foreclosure rescue and mortgage modification scams to FTC.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP. The FTC makes those complaints available to federal, state, and local law enforcement through the Consumer Sentinel Network. The video also reminds homeowners in distress that free help is available from the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline 888-995-HOPE (4673), which connects homeowners to HUD-certified housing counselors.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest.
A complaints is not a finding or ruling that the defendants have actually violated the law. Stipulated court orders are for settlement purposes only and do not necessarily constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation. Stipulated orders have the force of law when signed by the judge.
The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,500 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Frank Dorman
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674
STAFF CONTACT:
J. Reilly Dolan
Bureau of Consumer Protection
202-326-3292
Federal Trade Commission, Plaintiff, v. LucasLawCenter “Incorporated”, a corporation, also d/b/a Lucas Law Center, Future Financial Services, LLC, a limited liability company, also d/b/a Lucas Law Center, Paul Jeffrey Lucas, an individual, Christopher Francis Betts, an individual, and Frank Sullivan, an individual, Defendants
(United States District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division)Civil Action No. 09-CV-770
FTC File No. 092 3127
July 15, 2009
- Amended Order Granting Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Issue Order to Show Cause
- Complaint for Injunctive and Other Equitable Relief
- News Release
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I understand Lucas Law was shut down. I have paid them money to defend my case. What do I do now, we are four months into this. I have no representation and they got my money.
I can’t get them to answer my calls.
Who do I contact
This will be tough to get your money back. Contact the AG and FTC and see if they have info for you.
on june 20th I paid $2000.00 for my loan modification .no action
has been taken ,I call everyday but they never answer .they do nothing . where di i get answer
Ganesh Poudel
They are no longer in business and were shut down. Get help elsewhere fast like free help from http://www.NACA.com
I, also, was a victim of Lucas Law Center. After hearing the radio ads PROMISING a reduction in our mortgage, we hired them at a whopping $3995.00!
Went through the entire process, giving them copies of our loan paperwork, income verification, and access to our IRS tax return. What we got in return was ignored emails and phone calls; I even sent a scathing email to the Senior Partner, Mr. Paul Lucas himself, hoping for some response and got NOTHING!
Now, I’ve filed a complaint with the FTC and BBB, but I am doubtful we will see our money again.
Just remember the old adage:
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT USUALLY IS!!!!!
i PAID 3250 FOR MODIFICATION MY HOME AFTER TWO WEEKS
iDIDNNT HEAR FROM HIM.FINALY I READ AT NEWS PAPER THE FIR M IS CLOSED I TRIED SEVRAL TIME TO CONACT WITH THEM
NO RESPOND .
PLEASE HELP ME WHAT I DO NEXT.
I too was scammed by the Lucas Law Center. I visited their offices in Aliso, CA and met with Adam Zucker who was a real smooth talker. I noticed that the entire staff was very casually dressed with no one in “business attire”. Anyhow, I paid them $3500.00 up front and they did nothing. When Adam Zucker took my money, he advised me to “miss two mortgage payments”. A couple of days later there was a CNN report on Loan Modification Companies making false promises and that any employee telling a client to purposely miss any mortgage payments was illegal! I notified Adam Zucker and requested a refund. He was very apprehensive. A few days later, I discovered that the Federal Trade Commission shut them down for fraud and appointed Robb Evans and Associates , a Bonded Fiduciary to take control of companies performing alleged deceptive marketing practices. For updated information, go to: http: http://www.robbevans.com and click on the complete alphabetical listing of appointments, then scroll down to Lucas Law Center. Report Paul Lucas to the California BAR, and file your own personal complaint with the FTC. Hopefully, there will be justice for all of us who were scammed. These scam artists need to serve some serious prison time!