ComplaintsforFirst Choice Gateway Consulting

• Initial Complaint

  09/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  My husband and I were contacted by first choice consulting in February of 2024. They explained to us that they could assist us in getting a loan restructure on our mortgage to lower the payments after a recent job loss we experienced. They explained that the payments of $2500 would be a payment of "good faith", and would be in place of our mortgage payments each month for 6 months. We communicated with them regularly and made all payments to them that were required which totaled $12,500. We received foreclosure paperwork from our bank in May of 2024 and the advice we were given was to not contact our mortgage company and, instead, to send pictures of all paperwork directly to first choice consulting. We were advised at the end of July of 2024 that our file had been turned over to our mortgage company, *******************, and they would be setting up the loan restructure from there. On August 9th, 2024 we got a notice from our mortgage company, the sale date of our home had been listed for September 13th, 2024. We frantically contacted our mortgage company and found that none of the payments had been received, first choice gateway consulting pocketed all of the funds. they also didn't gather all of the paperwork necessary for a loan restructure, that they couldn't even have handled in the first place. In the end after extensive review of the contract, it states that they are incapable of loan restructuring, all they could offer was financial counseling. Financial counseling was never discussed or even offered. Overall they almost cost us our home and stole thousands of dollars. They now refuse to return my calls and only reach out to ask for more money since they are "still working on my file." Liars and thieves. They should be held liable for such gross misconduct, misrepresentation, and overall theft from innocent people who fall for their lies about what products they cannot even offer.

• Initial Complaint

  12/12/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I was contacted by 1st Choice Gateway Consulting or First Choice Gateway Consulting and was confused by the initial contact. The woman stated I had submitted an online application though the only online application I submitted for mortgage relief was through the actual ***** Mortgage Relief Program. I asked if this was part of the program and she said "yes, they work with the ***** ********** ******* I had several questions regarding the "Restructuring" program. She said she would send a document and it would go over the program. The document was sent via Adobe Sign. I work with the software program daily and know that I must review the document prior to submitting my signature. When I opened the document to review, my signature and initials had already been applied to a document I had no knowledge of. I was not aware of the verbiage, if there were fees, what obligations I was responsible for, but yet my signature was applied and the Intake Coordinator said that the document did not require any further approval. By me opening the document, it was considered signed and approved. I was to send a check of $900 to them immediately in order for the process to continue and would be contacted by a case manager to finalize the details. I asked if there were fees for the program, the Intake Coordinator stated there were no fee, that this was a federally funded program.I was to receive a phone call from a case manager to go over program details regarding restructuring my mortgage loan. I asked the Intake Coordinator several times, how I could track payments being made to my mortgage lender. She stated that once the packet had been completed with the company that the payments/checks would be submitted to the Hardship Program and sent to my mortgage lender. The $900 check was cashed as I waited for someone to contact me.Today, I was informed that the $900 that is due for the next 5 months ($4500 total) are payments to the company for services and fees not to pay the mortgage.

  Business response

  12/13/2022

  **************: You spoke to one of our managers on 12/12/2022, you signed the engagement agreement on 12/08/2022 (Friday at 3:00pm pst), followed by signing the agreement you sent us the 1st payment for services and a copy of your ID to follow.
  
  If you did not agree to the terms of the agreement, why would you render a payment and writing in the memo "1st Payment"
  after speaking to a manager you said you had a change of heart and started shouting, the manager stated to you accounting will reach out to regarding a refund and closing out your file. you also spoke to a manager this morning, and you hung up on the individual and did not want to speak.
  
  your actions are not of one person that has good intentions and you sole intentions is to cause our company and services harm. if you like to discuss your refund and settlement you are welcome to arramnge a time where our office can call you to discuss.
  we have attached a copy of the check you submitted with the memo clearly showing you understood you are making the "1st payment" with a check payable to our office for the consulting we are offering you.
  
  lastly; We do not solicit, you submitted an application to our web page asking for assitance with your financial obligations, the ** address and ************* is verified through a 3rd party verificaiton company.
  
  
  See Attachment/File: **************

  Customer response

  12/13/2022

  Good ******************************* is threatening to file a slander lawsuit against me. The company also threatened to not refund my money unless the complaint is removed.
  
  I explained to **** that my statement was not slanderous but described my experience with his company. They have been texting me and attempting to contact me since.
  
  Thank you,
  ****************

  Customer response

  12/13/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  On Thursday, 12/08/22, I had several questions regarding the program and the Intake woman reassured me that a case worker would be contacting me to go over the details that same day. She stated a check was required immediately to continue the process.
  I have been working with the ***** Mortgage Relief Program/Homeowner Assistance Program and asked if this was associated with the program. I was informed it was so I proceeded in good faith.
  When a case worker finally contacted me on Monday, 12/12/22, and informed me that the "payments" were actually their fees. I said, "Woah, that is not what I was told." I requested to stop at that point because I did not agree to those terms. I asked for a refund. **** then stated that he did not handle those and I would have to contact ******. I sent her a text that I would be calling and she replied that she was assisting another client and would contact me back. I heard nothing until today, Tuesday, 12/13/22 when **** began a hostile conversation with me. I had to ask him on several occasions to lower his voice and if he would like to have a conversation then he would need to allow me to speak. **** began to threaten me stating, that if I do not retract my BBB statement that he would file a slander lawsuit against me. I informed **** that my statement was my experience with the company and there was no slander or malice in the statement. He continued to yell over me and threated a lawsuit. I stated over and over again, "Thank you, have a nice day, happy holidays, I am ending this call" until I did. This is a company that does not take accountability or apologizes to customers, but rather threatens legal action. I am certain this is not their first encounter with the BBB either.
  See Attachment/File: Texts.docx

  Business response

  12/15/2022

  **************; Please explain the concenrs we made in the previous response.
  
  The scope of service and agreement was signed prior to you sending your payment for the service, we also had a manager reach out to you to whom you made more threats and said you will publish more slanderous statments about our company.
  
  

  Customer response

  12/16/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)
  The agreement that was send already had my signature and initials applied to it prior to reviewing the document. This is unethical and illegal in several states. I was informed that a case manager was to contact me that same day to go over the "agreement" because I had several questions. I have text messages and an email as proof.
  I was also informed that the payment was being sent to the ** Hardship Program where the payments would be sent to my mortgage lender. I requested several times for an online portal to track payments, or some sort of data base to ensure the services rendered were legitimate.
  My check was cashed that same day on 12/08/22 and no one contacted me until 12/12/22.
  When the manager **** contacted me, he was extremely hostile and rude. I did not threaten to make slanderous statements about the company, but informed him that I would follow my financial institution's advice and file a police report regarding the money that was withdrawn from my bank account for no services rendered. I would also be following advice of the actual ** Mortgage Relief Program, and file a ********************** and Attorney General reports for both ***** and **********. These were definitely not threats. The call ended with him asking me "How can you live with yourself" as though I was the one defrauding consumers.
  I have not been provided services though I am out $900.
  See Attachment/File: FCG_w-Rick_12.15.22.wpl

• Initial Complaint

  01/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We have been paying them every month for 5 months. They told us that making 5 months of payments that our mortgage company would restructure our loan. Our mortgage company has started foreclosure on our home because this company didn't pay them! They took. $**** from us and we are now working with our lender directly to try to keep our home! This company's process is not good! My husband has cancer and just had a tumor ******* and we now have to go to court to fight for our home! I get no response from this company about returning my money!

  Business response

  01/25/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/01/07) */ Unfortunately and very sadly to have this client make these false claims against our company and services. The client HOA is the entity that has filed a suit against the property and has called the Sheriff to their home! This is not and has never been any part of our services and our company does not offer any services of such. Client husband was also non responsive for 3 months as we made significant attempts to reach them via E-mail, Letters mailed, and telephonicly. The last email was sent yesterday to the client asking them to call us and we will be happy to arrange a refund as they have been non compliant and non responsive to the services. Please stop these false allegations as we have numerous documents to solidify our responce. Consumer Response /* (3000, 7, 2022/01/07) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) They are ***** None of this is true. This hearing document is from ********** ********* We are not in bad standing with our HOA. If my husband didn't answer a call the last week, I did. He had a ****** tumor removed on ******** 29, 2021 and just came home on ******* ******* I have been told to communicate via text or email so we have all communication in writing. I am sorry but we have paid every month $850 for our mortgage and none was paid to them therefore they are ******* to ********** Business Response /* (4000, 9, 2022/01/10) */ WE are apologetic for the circumstances of your husband and the hospitalization of Mr. ***** We are happy to assist in any way we can. Again; We were not hired for any aid in mortgage payments and the statements you are making are false and slanderous. Please review the service agreement and understand we delivered on every scope of service as was outlined in the agreement. We have emailed you numerous times and there has been zero communication until last week when the false statement started. We are absolutely sorry for the hard times you and your husband are going through, and we are happy to discuss a refund to cease and close out any further work.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩