OK, this got me mad. We received this notice at my house last night in the mail. Here's what was visible through the envelope windows:
Notice the "HUD Lender ID" with the imposing "PA reference number" below it, and especically the "FIRST NOTICE" prominent in the top right. Since we had just refinanced, I immediately thought this was some notice related to the new or old loan.
Upon opening the "notice", here's what I saw:
Ok, my eye had gone to all the places this mortgage ad designer had wanted them to go to:
- PA reference number
- "FIRST NOTICE"
- "You have not responded"
Now that it was obvious to me that this was just another mortgage solicitation, I became pretty upset at the underhanded tactics employed by this broker. You can't tell me that this isn't specifically designed to scare elderly and young people into calling to "see if everything is OK" just to be pitched by some salesperson on a refinance.
I did some web research on this outfit and found some truly nasty comments, even from mortgage officers advising others not to work there. Here's an example; http://www.mortgagegrapevine.com/thread/?thread=560771. Also, a promintent article at Philly.com about a "stimulus act" mailer "scam": http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090307_Stimulus_gives_rise_to_consumer_scams.html. In one article the reporter says that the CEO of this company denied any wrongdoing in reference to another misleading mailer - did we expect otherwise? Maybe he should talk to his ad staff.
This company should be ashamed of itself and in my opinion they are part of the crisis in confidence in the real estate industry right now. Intercontinental Capital Group of 55 East 59th Street 4th Floor, New York NY 10022. Stay AWAY from these people just because of decency's sake.
Some companies will do anything to scam you. Got to be vigilant
This is a black eye to the lending industry. What a shock it must have been to receive this letter. It is beyond me as to why any person with a brain and a citizen of the United States would allow their company to advertize in this manner.
First they scare you and then try to sell you a new mortgage.
I have received letters that look like they are from my current lender and they are not.
Good news - I'm forwarding the mail piece to the PA Attorney General's office. They'd like to see it!
I received on of these in an envelope which looked like official government business. This sort of deception should not be allowed.
Just recevied two of these on Dec. 28th, 2009 so nothing has changed to this point.