Summary: Received seize and desist order and accusation from DRE.
Description: Temecula based corporation providing loan modification services while collecting advance fees illegally as alleged by the DRE. Not sure if these are two separate companies, but another “Saving the American Dream, Inc. based in Tustin has an F rating on BBB and 22 complaints. Please let us know if you have done business this company or companies to let us know if they are separate entities.
Per comments below, it seems this company has worked with Tustin Law Center headed by a Thomas Key JD, MBA. Mr. Key does not seem to have a very clean record with the state bar association.
Update 11/16/2009: See Clyde Gambles’ comment below. Good suggestion: ”First let us write District Attorney in his community. Secondly let us petition the California Attorney General Office, California Department of Justice, P.O. Box 944244-2550, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550.” Do not forget the State Bar Association and, if applicable, the Department of Real Estate.
Update 12/3/2009: It seems everyone has received the email form Jane Proctor, JD. We have not investigated, but our current understanding based upon comments is that Ms. Proctor is not a licensed attorney nor licensed by the Department of Real Estate. It is prohibited to provide loan modifications without a license and prohibited to collected a fee in advance before providing services. Please carefully consider whether or not you will pay the $300 she is asking.
Update 12/10/2009: Mr. Key has written a number of comments below including a thorough explanation of Tustin Law Center and its collapse:
The only thing I can do is tell the truth — the facts remain the same no matter what we say or want to have happen.
1. Tustin Law Center is not a “scam”; the Lenders claiming to offer MODIFICATIONS are scamming their customers AGAIN, by refusing to provide timely and significant modifications.
2. Tustin Law Center went out of business — it collapsed. There is no danger to future “victims” since they are not in business. However, MOST of the predatory lenders are not only still in business, but are receiving government subsidies and “commissions” for pretending to do Modifications — which turn out to be 3-month “trials”. If this scam by the Lenders is not stopped, it will continue. The Lenders’ continuing scam is still the cause of the economic collapse of the country and delaying recovery. Who will “stop this fraud”?
3. ALL of Tustin Law Center’s clients can visibly SEE the work that was done. 100% of the complainers on this site can SEE the date and submission of work done, and can confirm with the Lender that their Loan Modification Application was submitted. That is the work the lawyers contracted to do. No law firm can guarantee what a Lender will do.
4. It is true that 100% of the complainers on this site did not get the Modification that they SHOULD have gotten. They did not get what the law firm applied for. But the REFUSAL to respond reasonably is 100% the fault of the Lenders.
5. I apologize to each Client on behalf of Tustin Law Center. We tried to get appropriate results for you. We took on the largest and richest Lenders in the world, on your behalf. I lost everything I had–including, as you can see, my reputation (my most valuable asset). The Lenders have successfully wiped out 100’s of attorneys who were trying — really, really trying — to help consumers get out of some truly predatory “loan” obligations. I apologize for my failure. I thought we could do something MORE to help. I surrounded myself with the best minds and experts I could find. We failed, at the end. This is a bitter pill.
6. The thing that sustains me is that so many hundreds of my clients continue to call me and THANK ME. We really did save hundreds of homes, and benefited most of the people who needed us.
My mother is a victim of the Saving the Dream Scam…What can she do to get her money back?
I to have fallen into this trap with two homes. They are working with a law office called Tustin Law Center headed by a Thomas Key JD, MBA. These two companies point the finger at eachother to delay the anticlimactic result. I know a few others that have been taken in this also. Is there a way we can get some action with strength in numbers?
I have recently discovered that I too have become a victim I would love to become a active supporter of fighting to help others as well as myself to recover some some satisfaction against saving the american dream
I also would like to know whom we can contact to make this a legal matter
I have also discovered that I am a victim of the saving the american dream scam. I would love to join a legal action to recover my money and to make sure this does not happen to others. Is there any class action law suit in the making? otherwise, please advise what my next step needs to be.
I also lost quite a bit to this company, Saving the American Dream. After a year of holding our contract, they sent us to a firm who was not professional. They failed and we were sent to another law firm with no relief and a house in forclosure. Long story short, we have a signed document from them to return our money in full within 90 days in return for non-disclosure. 90 days passed a week ago and the number for the company no longer works. Very angry!
I have fallen victim to Saving the American Dream & The Tustin Law Center headed by Thomas George Key. I also want to join a legal action to recover my money & make sure this does not happen to others. Please let me know what I can do.
I am also part of this fraud, only I wish I have read this web page before signing with the saving the american dream where Thomas Key from Tustin Law center promised that he will make the modification happen, but nothing like that happened,it has been a year. I would like to also join the legal action to get my money back, Please do something so other innocent people like us do not get into Thomas Key’s trap. HELP!!!!!!!!!1
My wife and are victims. I do have a part of a letter written by Thomas George Key to the Attorney General office, California Department of Justice. This attorney addresses both
Saving The American Dream and The Tustin Law Center(law Firm). These two firms have taken us for over $10,000 . We can,t no longer trust government, financial Institution, and appears no one in this country
I suggest that everyone that is on this blog exchange E-Mail Addresses and let go work on this man before he can do anymore damage to anyone else.
First let us write District Attorney in his community. Secondly let us pettition the California Attorney General Office, California Department of Justice, P.O. Box 944244-2550, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550.My telephone number is 707-373-9287.
Saving the American Dream (“STAD”) used a nonprofit business model which was never economically viable. They went out of business trying to help people save their homes. Scammers who do nothing with no overhead seized the market while professional groups with institutional exposure were torn to pieces by the regulators. Before going out of business, STAD licensed various attorneys to access the proprietary programs they had spent $200,000+ developing to take on the banks. Tustin Law Center is one of those firms. By logging in to our Site, our clients can visibly SEE the work that was done on their cases. It is true that “loan modification” has been a HUGE disappointment for all of us. The Lenders seemed to agree that loan mods were a better solution to mass foreclosure than anything else, but bottom line is THE LENDERS ARE NOT MODIFYING THE PREDATORY LOANS which they designed. We package mods to meet the bank guidelines, only to face delayed and paltry responses with no real “negotiations”. When attorneys report this truth to their clients, the clients feel ripped off by the attorneys! Kill the messenger. It is the Lenders’ delayed and paltry responses which are 100% the cause of the homeowner’s unhappiness. How about “reporting” your Lender to the Attorney General? It is malevolent and wrong to turn upon the people who tried to help you. The decision to get professional help was rational. The decision to pay for professional help was reasonable. If you know any other way to help people save their homes, please let me know. tkey@tustinlawcenter.com.
The above comment was posted by someone named Thomas Key and seems to be the real thing; however, this blog has not verified this post’s author’s identity.
I have tried to get a hold of Tustin Law Center time and time again. However, I have received next to no response from them. Bank of America has confirmed that they have received my documents and they are reviewing my documents. I did most of the work with Bank of America. All Tustin Law Center did was to file my documents for $3000.00. I paid all of this amount in good faith.
Tustin Law Center has not followed with anything as far as I am concerned. They do not provide any report to me do not make calls and claim that they have substantially downsized. This thing about “don’t shoot the messenger” does not make sense. TLC has not delivered any messages to be shot at!
Totally displeased with this company. It is a scam as far as I am concerned. Do not do business with this company. I will report it to BBB.
Ihave fallen a victim to Saving The American Dream and Tustin Law Center I want to join any legal action to recover my $5800.00 which I paid to Modify my loan. I don’t want this happen to any one else. Please let me know what I can do to recover my money.
Based on an email I received from one Jane Proctor, which I have copied below, I believe that we were also taken in by STAD and Tustin Law Center. The email I received read:
___________________________________
Dear Client:
It is with deep regret that I must inform you that I am no longer working with Tustin Law Center. The company collapsed completely, went out of business, and was unable to pay staff our final wages owed.
I realize how important this service was to many of you, and I am saddened to have to cease work on these files at this time, but I am sure you understand that I cannot continue to work for free. I have a family and a mortgage of my own to pay.
While I am looking for a new job, I am willing to help you finalize this process for a one time payment of $300. I have access to all of your records, and I will be able to devote much more attention to each file.
Before, I was solely responsible for 550 clients, and that made my time very much in demand. Now – I will only have a few clients to help, and I will be able to keep you updated on at least a weekly basis.
I will only be able to take on about 20 clients, I don’t want to get in over my head. I also want to be sure that if I get a full time job in the next 2 months, that I will still be able to service my clients until the process is complete, after my work hours, and on the weekends. I will not abandon you, I have been there myself, and I know how traumatic this whole process is.
If you’d like me to help you finish this ugly process up – please let me know.
Otherwise, I wish you all the best of luck, and I am sorry it has all come to this tragic end.
Jane Proctor, JD
Formerly of Tustin Law Center
They have also stiffed their vendors for equipment…ME!
My husband and I have been victims of Tustin Law center too.. I can’t believe this is happening to us. Before we got involved, you couldn’t find any proof of them being a scam. Now, the truth comes out. My hub got the email above from Jane proctor. He asked her to call him and she responded:
I will be happy to. I am going to pull your paper file from Tom’s office, review status, call the lender and then call you. I have had an overwhelming response to this email, but I have worked closely with you. I should be able to call you back by Thursday noon. Please be patient. I am still here – hanging on, like I told you I would.
THANK YOU.
Jane
Still waiting for that called JANE lol. I’m so angry.
there goes $3000 that could of went to my loan. Hope this site helps someone before it’s too late.
I have been working with Tustin Law Center for the last 7 months on my loan modification. I talked to Mr. Key a couple of times and he always said he would get back to me with updates with what was taking place with my loan. Needless to say, I received the email from “Jane Proctor”, as well, telling me Tustin had went out of business and she would continue my case for $300 more. I told her I would go ahead, what is three hudred more dollars. Jane emailed me and said she would take a look at my account. I have yet to hear back from her.
I will be glad to get involved in any civil suit that will help stop this fraud.
The only thing I can do is tell the truth — the facts remain the same no matter what we say or want to have happen.
1. Tustin Law Center is not a “scam”; the Lenders claiming to offer MODIFICATIONS are scamming their customers AGAIN, by refusing to provide timely and significant modifications.
2. Tustin Law Center went out of business — it collapsed. There is no danger to future “victims” since they are not in business. However, MOST of the predatory lenders are not only still in business, but are receiving government subsidies and “commissions” for pretending to do Modifications — which turn out to be 3-month “trials”. If this scam by the Lenders is not stopped, it will continue. The Lenders’ continuing scam is still the cause of the economic collapse of the country and delaying recovery. Who will “stop this fraud”?
3. ALL of Tustin Law Center’s clients can visibly SEE the work that was done. 100% of the complainers on this site can SEE the date and submission of work done, and can confirm with the Lender that their Loan Modification Application was submitted. That is the work the lawyers contracted to do. No law firm can guarantee what a Lender will do.
4. It is true that 100% of the complainers on this site did not get the Modification that they SHOULD have gotten. They did not get what the law firm applied for. But the REFUSAL to respond reasonably is 100% the fault of the Lenders.
5. I apologize to each Client on behalf of Tustin Law Center. We tried to get appropriate results for you. We took on the largest and richest Lenders in the world, on your behalf. I lost everything I had–including, as you can see, my reputation (my most valuable asset). The Lenders have successfully wiped out 100’s of attorneys who were trying — really, really trying — to help consumers get out of some truly predatory “loan” obligations. I apologize for my failure. I thought we could do something MORE to help. I surrounded myself with the best minds and experts I could find. We failed, at the end. This is a bitter pill.
6. The thing that sustains me is that so many hundreds of my clients continue to call me and THANK ME. We really did save hundreds of homes, and benefited most of the people who needed us.
I want to thank Mr. Pasha for providing this well-designed and well-managed Site. I know these times have been tough for him as well. We are all struggling. I have great respect for lawyers who keep trying to help solve the problems of Injustice.
For those of you thinking about retaining Jane Proctor for $300, please be note that her name does not appear in the State Bar website and thus she probably isn’t a licensed CA attorney and this may be another scam. Good luck everyone.
I’m outraged by what I read about this man Thomas George Key and his shady operations. If everything stated in this site is true, attorneys like Thomas George Key should be not be allowed to practice law. If you or someone close to you was harmed by this man, please contact the CA State Bar at 1-800-843-9053 and inform them of his misdeeds. Remember if the CA State Bar does not know about it then there is nothing they can do to stop this man from doing this to others. Also, the more complaints the State Bar receives the more likely it will investigate this man and his law firm and STOP him from doing this ever again and possibly keep him from the practice of law. Please help keep dishonest lawyers from practicing law in CA.
I my self was also a victim of Tustina law center its been over a year and nothing was done, I feel so terrible because I actually also got my best friends moms home involved with Tustin Law Center and to my surprise My best friends mother has actually lost her home due to Tustin Law Centers fruad
My husband and I were also taken in by this supossed do good company. If they are legit, why would they send out a newsletter stating they were going to continue servicing their customers, then cancel their website, email and phone numbers??? We lost 5800.00 and would gladly participate in a lawsuit against this company. Please advise. Thanx
Same here, I lost over 5k to this scam. Any legal action I would like to participate in. Keep me posted if possible.
i HAVE ALSO LOST $2700 TO THIS TUSTIN LAW CENTER TO HANDLE MY LOAN MODIFICATION AND AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE LACK OF RESULTS OR SERVICE AND WOULD LIKE TO JOIN A LAW SUIT, ALL THEY DID WAS CALL THE BANK ONE TIME AND I DO HAVE A PENDING LOAN MOD THAT HAS BEEN IN REVIEW FOR OVER 7 MONTHS. i AM HOPING THAT MY HOME IS NOT FORCLOSED, MY HELOC HAS GONE TO CHARGE OFFF AND THEY SAY THAT IT IS NOT PART OF LOAN MOD. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPECIATED
My wife and I Lost over 6k to Saving the American Dream and Thomas Key. I would participate in any legal action against these people. Keep me posted please.
My husband and I gave money to STAD and to Jane Procto(who we have found out has a shady background and history in dealings herself) to help save our home. Nothing but headache and loss of money has been the result-Jane Proctor dissappeared with our file and money! DO NOT TRUST HER! Now doing it on our own but would like to be part of a legal case against STAD and TLC.
my husband and i paid 7,500 to Tustin law center for loan home modification very unhappy founding out they only stole our money. we would like to join a law suit against this “INC”