Homeowner Alert: Don’t do business with any business that cold calls you on the phone! There ARE reputable outfits out there, but they don’t cold call you and pitch you BS.
Possible scam alert: Homeland Support Services, Prodigy Law Group and attorney Seth D. Hayman
Known websites, affilliations and reports:
http://www.prodigylawgroup.com/default.asp
(Main Office)
Location: 18111 Von Karman Avenue, 7th Floor, Irvine, California 92612, (Orange Co.)
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Prodigy Law Group, Inc. practices in the following areas of law:
Business Transactional, Consumer Law, General Litigation.
Firm Size: 2
Seth D. Heyman (Partner) born Brooklyn, New York, December 21, 1965; admitted to bar, 1995, Arizona and U.S. District Court, District of Arizona; 1998, California; 2001, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California; 2004, U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Education: University of Colorado at Boulder (B.A., 1988); University of Arizona College of Law (J.D., 1995). Member: State Bar of California (Member, Sections on: Business Law; Real Estate; Practice Management). Practice Areas: Business Transactional(60%, 150); Consumer Law(20%, 150); General Litigation(20%, 150). Email: Seth D. Heyman
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Gary W. Patton (Associate) born Los Angeles, California, May 28, 1944; admitted to bar, 1974, California; 1975, U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Education: Western State University (B.S., 1972); Western State University College of Law (J.D., 1974). Practice Areas: Real Property(80); Bankruptcy(5); Workers Compensation(20); Criminal Law(5); Family Law(3). Email: Gary W. Patton
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/454/RipOff0454099.htm#426387
Homeland Support Services / Prodigy Law Group, Marcus Avritt, Gil Marciscal
Phone: 800-2353077
Fax: 888-3882035
18111 Von Karmen Ave 7th Flr., Irvine California
Corona, California,
U.S.A.
Submitted: 5/21/2009 12:15:26 PM
Modified: 5/29/2009 10:37:32 PM
Michael k
redondo beach, California
I was hired by one of the managers Marcus Avritt. He had told me that the minimum a rep was making in his office was $7500. The average guy was making $10-12000 per month. According to him, the phones were ringing off the hook and they were doing 700-1000 loan mods per month. I found things to be totaly different.
Rebuttal:
I have been working for Homeland Support Services for about 3 months and I have made way more than a thousand in two months. I think it is an amazing co. to work for. I work 5 days a week and make good money. You should have some sales experience to work here. People that can’t make it are usually weak on the phone or do not know anything about mortgages. I have seen successful cases go through the office. I have made great money and I love helping people. Some people just “Suck” and have a bad taste in their mouth! This month I am on track to make about 4500!!! The phones do ring. I pick up about 10 calls a day. If you do not pick up the phone, you will not make money. This is the best Law Group to work for to do Loan Mods. And yes, it is ok to pay money up front to License state Attorneys as a retainer. Make sure that the attorney has a bar!
PS. Michael K the reason you made no money is the fact that you sat there playing games on the computer all day long.
MOE – Many law firms and attorneys are making a HUGE mistake by working with these unscrupulous ex-mortgage scum who are lead providers and sell leads for x dollars per pop. Many of these lead chop shops are really just illegal boiler room type telemarketing operations operated by ex-subprime chop shop brokers and used car salesman reincarnated as loan modification firms.
They are using the same tactics when they sold these toxic loans and lemon cars to steal money from struggling homeowners.
Prodigy Law Group was founded in February of this year, according to its Web site. It’s based in Southern California, but the site lists member attorneys across the country. The site also is peppered with warnings to consumers about scam loan modification companies.
Prodigy works closely with a firm named Homeland Support Services, which says it takes inbound calls from consumers looking to refinance their mortgages. The two companies share the same address in Irvine.
In an advertisement placed online under the heading “Legal Jobs Around Orange County,” Prodigy encourages salespeople with experience at high-pressure tactics to apply.
“LOOKING FOR CURRENT OR EX CAR SALESPEOPLE … WE HAVE SEEN THESE TYPE OF PEOPLE DO VERY WELL!!! Applicants will be taking all in-bound calls,” the ad says.
OK ladies and gentleman, this is the year 2009 and this message should be imprinted in your brain by now as one of the first commandments of purchasing products or services. I don’t care if it’s a donation, a better long distance plan or in this case, a loan modification.
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH PEOPLE WHO COLD CALL YOU ON THE DARN PHONE!
When people are in dire straits they are easy prey for these wolves. It’s not just pretend lawyers or mortgage saviors, it’s all financial services, long distance, credit repair, insurance, and the list could go on and on. The FTC has prosecuted thousands of these boiler room operations over the years and is the #1 reason why we have a National Do Not Call Law with a national database of phone numbers and scammers.
Soliciting people over the phone is the most common and easiest tactic used by scammers to fly below the FTC and AG radar to steal your money. Many of these scams use sophisticated autodialers, purchases phone lists and hire highly trained/ high pressure sales people to pawn whatever scam it is of the week.
To be honest, it is really easy to avoid being scammed and if you follow these 3 simple tips, you will most likely avoid being taken.
- Never, ever deal with anyone that cold calls you. Never give your information over the phone.
- The best bet is to just say NO to any unsolicited offer.
- Get a referral from satisfied customers before you do anything stupid. There ARE reputable outfits out there, but they don’t call up up and pitch you.
More from CNBC:
When I spoke with attorney Seth D. Heyman, who founded Prodigy, he disavowed much of what the two salesmen said in their marketing pitches – including the comparison to food stamps. He attributed the disconnect to a third-party marketing effort gone awry.
Heyman insisted the firm doesn’t engage in telemarketing, insisted he didn’t know either Rick or Ed, and stated that he didn’t believe either of them had worked on behalf of Prodigy. He said the firm takes great care to be transparent and honest when marketing to potential clients.
Telemarketing Links and Info:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/phone/scams.shtm
https://telemarketing.donotcall.gov/
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/03/newhope.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0923117/090715a2scmpt.pdf
Consumers seeking answers:
calling and offering loans for 3% on overinflated mortgages to be refinanced at a fixed rate of 3% for 30 Years fixed. Thye are asking for
$2500.00 upfront to process the loan and get all of your informastion from your previous loan from your existing loan company. They are referring to theirselves as Homeland Support Srvices. 1-800-235-3077
Fax number for people that do prtgages with them is Prodigy Law Group
phone number-1800-531-19
Fax # 1-888-388-3210 Could you please get back with me of lagitimacy of this corporation
I got a call from the same people, but the phone number was 866-468-2688 and they called me back from 949-900-9550. Prodigy Law Group does not seem to exist, and Prodigy Law has a disclaimer on their website that says they are in no way affiliated with any loan modification at all. They have a ‘D’ rating with the BBB.
Tell us your story!
Actually in the Chicago area recently a judge has stated in open court that the value of the home doesn’t even have to be below the value of the first lien. You can actually just list the lien as unsecured without making any motion to strip the lien.
More can be learned by going to our website:
http://www.windycitylawyer.com
Free Consultation. Chicago Attorneys.
This is great information. I just wish I had found your blog before my family got scammed in a loan modification. These people are sick that take money from families who are really going through tough times. Thank you for helping to put the word out there.
scan artist
James
prodigy law group robbed me of twenty thousand dollars, Seth Heyman and Garry Patton are crooks, who would like to start a class action law suit? we could get together and put these guys in jail. my email mariawilsonusa@msn.com
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT WORK WITH ANYONE ON A MODIFACTION LOAN EXCEPT YOUR LENDER. WE WERE CONTACTED BY A SUPPOSED LAW GROUP CALLED PRODIGY AND TAKEN FOR A RIDE TO THE TUNE OF 2500.00. IF WE HAD NOT RECEIVED A FORECLOSURE AND SHORT SALE NOTICE IN THE MAIL WE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE OUR HOME. I ACCOMPLISHED IN 2 WEEKS WHAT PRODIGY COULD NOT ACCOMPLISH IN 61 DAYS. THEY DID NOT SUBMIT ANY PAPERWORK ALTHOUGH THEY HAD IT SINCE FEB 1. UNTIL MARCH 27TH, PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THEM, THEY HAVE A F RATING WITH THE BBB, BAD REPORTS FROM GA. AND CA. CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THE STATE BAR OF CA. AND GA. THE GOVERNORS OFFICE IN GA. AND MANY MORE. GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN A CLASS ACTION JUST POST AND I WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. ALSO IF YOU ARE A WOMAN, THEY TEND TO TALK DOWN TO YOU AND TRY TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN.
Maria – give me 10k and I can help u get your money back. Of course I need to be paid upfront and in cash.
Prodigy Law Group was hired by consumer “A” at the end of 2009 to perform a forensic Loan Audit and Mortgage Modification to reduce the interest rate and reduce the principal loan amount.
Consumer A is retired and living on a fixed income. Consumer A is limited to part time work due to a disability. This person attempted to contact their lender directly for a Mortgage modification under the making Homes Affordable legislation from Congress. The lender did not respond stating that they did not qualify for a modification and the call was diconected.
After several attempts to talk to the lender failed Consumer A was contacted by Prodigy Law Group… Services were to be rendered within 120 days. It is now the end of May. 6 months later and nothing to show for the 3500.00 that was paid. Phone calls aren’t returned and if you are able to get through to someone there you get a ton of Excuses about other clients in a worse position than you, “I was attending a class and could not return my phone calls.” Or my favorite… “I was diagnosed with cancer recently and I need your prayers…”
Prior to dealing with Prodigy Law Group Consumer A had not missed a single payment of their Mortgage not even late. It was highly suggested in an effort to create a “Hardship” that a person could miss their Mortgage payment to pay the fees to prodigy Law group. It was suggested that if Consumer A was ontime for their Mortgage and not missed any payments that a significant enough hardship could not be etablished. Now Consumer A is behind on their Mortgage 2 months and a ton of harassing Phone calls $3500 has been paid to Prodigy Law Group
Bottom line is that they have not rendered the service they said they would provide…
Ryuctr69@yahoo.com
Prodigy Law Group IS a fradulent co. themselves. I am more than ready to sue/press charges. EW.
Benshamin@yahoo.com
We had a primary mortgage with Countrywide and a secondary mortgage with GMAC. We hired Prodigy Law Group in June 2009. We paid them $3,300 up front via direct withdrawal from my checking account. They told us that although they cannot legally advise us to stop making our mortgage payments, that it is necessary to go into default to show hardship.
By October GMAC did a loan remodification for us that was very good. Whether Prodigy actually had anything to do with it, I am not sure.
As most people know by now, Countrywide went under, and their loans were bought by Bank of America. They would not do a loan remodification for us. Prodigy said our next step would be to file a lawsuit against BofA. They said that BofA had broken several laws regarding the servicing of our loan. They said we would need to pay them $5,000 up front as a retainer. I had to borrow the money from my uncle. We did not hear anything from Prodigy for a while after that. We kept asking Prodigy what was going on. BofA said they never received anything from Prodigy. BofA then annonced that they were going to foreclose on our home on 4/30/2010. We tried desperately to get in touch with Prodigy. They finally responded on the 4/29 via e-mail stating they had BofA on tape saying thatthey would postpone the sale. They even sent us the recording. (We still wonder if it was really someone from BofA on the recording.) The sale took place anyway. They next thing, we received an eviction notice. We tried for two months to get in touch with prodigy via phone and e-mail. No replies. We were evicted from our home in July 2010.
At this point we are filing a formal complaint with teh California Bar Association to see if we can get our $8,300 back, or at least the $5,000 retainer fee back.
We would certainly be interested in a class action law suit against Prodigy Law Group. Feel free to e-mail me about it.
RESPONSE TO THE B.S. REBUTTAL AT THE TOP:
This load of crap was written by the most ruthless salesman at Prodigy. We recognize his poor use of grammar. We will not mention his name to protect the distinguished career of his father, but will mention his supervisor, Marcus Avritt.
Marcus Avritt is the lowest form of scum crawling the planet. Avritt relentlessly demanded that his sales team squeeze the last money available out of struggling homeowers – including retired, disabled people – just to keep himself and his greedy wife in jewels, cruises and vacation homes. NO loan mods were completed at Prodigy. They could not even get a bank to return their calls. Knowing this, Avritt still hounded his salesman to take people’s money.