11/18/2009 1:08 PM (PST)

What state are you in Michael?

In early October California enacted a new law that makes it illegal for companies to charge advance fees for loan modification services.

You may want to start your loan mod journey by calling a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counselor. You can speak with a certified counselor by calling 888-995-4673. They can evaluate your housing options, open lines of communication with mortgage lenders, negotiate a loan modification, and help you with household budgeting, all at no cost.

For more in fo on loan modification, check out the LABBB's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BBB-of-the-Southland/117568537756?v=app_2347471856

Good luck, the loan mod journey is not an easy one.

11/18/2009 1:10 PM (PST)

I was also curious about this company and did a ton of research trying to figure who they really are and if their claim of being in business since 1992 is true or not. The basic results are below, but my conclusion is that for a business that has supposedly been around since 1992 and supposedly is doing such a large volume of business it is VERY suspicious that nobody knows anything about them and that is it so hard to find anything out about them, and they don't seem to belong to any normal business associations, didn't bother to register their business in the city where they are located, don't seem to be a corporation (or they are hiding their corporate identity for some reason). I even called them directly and asked them about my findings and they said they would have someone call me back... I'm still waiting. The law you are referring to (listed on the BBB site) is a California law only and is . Your state may also have something similar, so check that out. "Premier Legal Advocates" seems to also run under "Premier Consumer Group" and in both of these web sites their privacy disclosure pages list a company "NHS Inc." as the owner of the websites and where to send notices to, but they nowhere give an actual address or full name of "NHS Inc.". I called the city of Agoura Hills, California once I tracked down Premier Legal Advocate's address, and the city has no knowledge of them but says they are *supposed* to register if they are a business within the city limits. Their local Chamber of Commerce also does not list them as a member, which is strange for a company that has been around since 1992. Their address is located in the LIBERTY CENTER, AGOURA HILLS, California. According to what I have found out (I am writing this reply on November 18, 2009), they just fairly recently moved into this address: 27489 Agoura Road, Suite 310 Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Their phone is: 888-303-0868 Hope this helps!

11/19/2009 7:26 AM (PST)

Thanks so much to both of you. This information has been greatly appreciated. Mike

11/19/2009 7:27 AM (PST)

I'm in Indiana.

1/27/2010 3:41 PM (PST)

I just found Premier Legal Advocates by a google search. They claimed they could guarantee my husband and I a loan modification from the info I gave them over the phone. They sure talked a good talk. With all the info the above posters posted I'm wondering if this is a good thing or a bad thing. They pressured me to get my calendar slot asap. Hmmm, if they do 900 loans a month why the pressure to get started. I think they want their money asap is what I think. I don't think we should go through them.

2/18/2010 9:02 AM (PST)

Premier is working with me on a loan modification. They have send me some paper work. I called them anytime I need them.

2/22/2010 5:59 PM (PST)

This is for all of you that are thinking you want to use Premier Legal Advocates. DON'T do it!! I still don't have my $2,750 refund check! I refused to sign the contract they wanted signed for a refund. Basically, through all the typos, it came down to they could sue YOU if you in anyway talked negative about their company. So many other things to initial, but my lawyer said not to sign it at all. I was giving up all my rights, while they gave up none. I let Brian Pascal know this, here was his response on January 22, 2010:

"I will forward you to cancellation department to finish off your refund so we can be done with you. You have wasted enough of our time, resources and capital and I do not want to argue with you about anything. You will receive your refund next week, and don’t ever speak of our company again."

Very professional, eh? It is now February 22nd (a month later), and we are still waiting. When we called we were notified that they would have no problem refunding the money, but all we had to do was sign the contract. I still said no. We are now told it would be 7-10 business days before the check is sent. Katelyn from Premier Legal Advocates said the check will be sent on Wednesday. So,will see... I have been in actual contact with the BBB, they have asked for all documentation and communication I've had with Bank Modification Experts/Premier Legal Advocates/Home Resolution Company...they have been through many names. Here is also a link to the name they were BEFORE: http://www.trustlink.org/BusinessProfile.aspx?ID=205980704

HERE IS WHAT I POSTED FOR THE REVIEW ON BANK MODIFICATION EXPERTS TRUSTLINK:
They are a scam, don't trust them! Just spoke with my lender this morning and Bank Modification Experts did send in for a 3rd party authorization, BUT they never did anything since that...DIDN'T try ONCE to contact my lender. My lender also let me know that this authorization has expired, so even if the company had tried to call to save my home from auction, my lender would not have been allowed to talk to them. What makes it even worse is how they changed their name to Premier Legal Advocates, that means in NO WAY are they fighting for you because I am sure that since they couldn't even contact their clients and tell them about the "name change", then they for sure haven't contacted any of our lenders. Which, is totally obvious in my case. As my lender said, "I'm so sorry, but they have not done ONE thing for you!"

Not only was the contract a lie, but what Brian Pascal continued to tell me these past couple of days was a total lie. They aren't trying to talk to my lender because they don't even have access to them. They won't know 1-2 days before my house goes to auction if it's saved, total lie. I don't need to make a house payment to try and get 30 more days...he was just trying to buy time to perhaps save their butts. I then e-mailed a formal letter with these things outlined: 1. I showed the documentation from the day I s

5/12/2010 11:32 AM (PST)

Thanks to all those who stood their ground and posted remarks that prevented others like myself from becoming a victim of this company. I almost fell for this scam, you who posted your honest remarks saved me!! I thank each of you.
Veronica

8/9/2010 8:29 PM (PST)

CONSUMER ALERT - Beware of doing business with Premier Legal Advocates in Agoura, CA. As of August, 2010 and maybe even earlier, they have put all their phones on hold or busy 24/7. This can only mean they are packing it in and leaving thousands of clients hanging, or they are in the process of doing same. In either case, they have not fulfilled their legal obligations and have received many similar complaints. The company has been banned in Oregon for deceptive practices but continues to do so in many other states. DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ATTORNEY GENERAL IF YOU ALREADY HAVE BEEN SCAMMED.

9/22/2010 3:02 PM (PST)

Check out the latest government action against Premier Legal Advocates!!

Premier Legal Advocates has been the subject of a Desist and Refrain Order issued by the California Department of Real Estate!

For details just click on the link below:
http://www.trustlink.org/Ask-The-Community/Question/News/Desist-and-Refrain-Order-issued-Premier-Legal-Advocates-of-Agoura-Hills-California-4252