PLEASE DON'T BE SWINDLED!!!! I am an educated, mature woman - this didn't save me from this company. I answered an ad on Craig's list from a desperate sounding woman who needed to save her credit by transferring her mortgage on a lovely home in the area I was looking to buy.
When I contacted the 1-800 number, I was told that the agent, Patience Anderson, was away from her desk, but that Casey Shawn was available to speak to me. I stated the property I was inquiring about, and was told that the property, and many others were currently in default, and I could pay 198.00 to an escrow account for title search, and inspection.
I was then given a spiel about this program's government connections. Furthermore, I was told that the website addressed would be e-mailed to me, and I could begin the process of applying for this home, or choosing another home in the same area - with the same status of default. In addition, I was told that there was no credit necessary. I told Casey on the phone - right then - that if something sounded too good to be true - it must be. I am credit worthy, and was interested in the home because I liked the photo and was familiar with the location.
I did not accept the proposal immediately. I discussed the proposition with my spouse, and we agreed that since the money went into an escrow account - we were not wasting 198.00 for something that we couldn't complete a transaction for. When I got home from the office, I called Shawn at his "direct line" 1-866-599-4703 and I could hear his child in the background crying. Casey was very professional, and had all the right responses to my myriad of questions about the program, the website, and the legalities of taking over someone else's mortgage.
After thoroughly addressing all of my issues, I paid the 198.00 via debit card. Within 15 minutes I had a link to the website and accessed it using the auto-generated code. I fully read the disclosure statement and checked the "I agree" box. When I opened the "start here" section - I found listings of homes in the Houston area. Listed was the owner's name, the address, the estimated value of the home.
Nowhere in the list was the home listed on Craig's list! I then looked at the entire site, and found that I would be required to contact the individuals using a HomeAccessUSA template letter. This letter is a cold-call sales pitch, and the owner's of these houses are not in default - to my knowledge. I must assume they are dire straits and possibly behind on their note, therefore on some list of potential foreclosures. However, Within 20 minutes of accessing the site, I typed in the keywords, HOMEACCESSUSA Scams, and wow did I get a lot of information.
I immediately called Casey back - again the crying child - and told him I suspected him of fraud. Casey was firm, but professional, and stated that yes, there was a credit check - he avowed emphatically on our first conversation that there wasn't - then he said that all of the complaints I found on the internet were about a company that manipulated the spelling, and were, actually, a copy cat company. He reiterated that the 198.00 was placed in an escrow account, that I was GUARANTEED to get into a home, and that if in one year, I had not moved into one, my 198.00 would be refunded. I realized that I would make no headway with Casey, and politely ended our conversation.
I immediately filed a complaint with the BBB, the Fair Trade Commission, and with the State's Attorney General. I knew I had been duped, but at least I had made their fraudulent activity know to all authorities I could think of. This all occurred on 10/31/2007. On 11/02/2007, HOMEACCESSUSA accessed my bank account and withdrew an additional 198.00. I realized this at 9:30pm when I logged on to pay some bills. I immediately called Bank of America and filed a claim, blocked my debit card, and gave all the company information I have to them.
I still have to wait for the monies to be withdrawn before the fraud department at the bank can help me rectify this situation - until then, I am out of 396.00 and angry as they come.
ANYONE WHO READS THIS....DON'T BE SCAMMED BY THIS COMPANY. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU GIVE THEM ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY....THEY WILL ILLEGALLY ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT AND WITHDRAW FUNDS!!!!
KIM
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.