Consumer complaint received 2019-07-10
Company: Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc.
State: IN
Product: Mortgage
Sub-product: Reverse mortgage
Issue: Trouble during payment process

Complaint:
In the fall of XXXX I received a letter from Reverse Mortgage Solutions ( RMS ), stating that my home was now ( according to FEMA ) in a XXXX flood plain survey. And therefore, according to my reverse mortgage needed to have flood insurance on my property. I immediately doubted this and went to FEMA web pgs. Found flood plain maps for my area, some showing " yes '' some showing 'no ' and some " maybe ''. Called my city 's local info on flood for my area. She said to call our regional area FEMA office in XXXX. Talked to Mr. XXXX XXXX ( now retired ), he said " according to the Base Flood Elevation ( BFE ) map, your just outside the area ''. But that to prove this, I would have to have a property survey, get a LOMA, which would prove my elevation, and that I'm not 'in ' the BFE.

After a few more phone conversation with RMS, plus letters, it became clear they were not going to accept my point of view, even though by this time I had sent ( e-m ) them FEMA maps showing my property location, and quoting Mr. XXXX. The BFE on FEMA maps were XXXX, my property ( best guess Mr. XXXX ) was at 728 something. 
I finally gave in, one time chg {$700.00} for property survey, verses {$860.00} something 'yearly ' for flood insur. This survey was done and sent to FEMA, was granted a Letter of Map Amendment ( LOMA ), my property is at BFE XXXX. This FEMA info was placed on FEMA 's web site, and I as well sent the LOMA to RMS XX/XX/XXXX ..., all well and good .... ( not on your life! ) More letters and phone calls from RMS that my mortgage was in default for lack of payment {$280.00}, and " DUE IMMEDIATELY ''. This charge.., because RMS went to their insurance ( XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ( partners w/ RMS for their needs ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Tx. , ) and only got a partial refund on the flood insurance THEY had taken out on my mortgage, and now they wanted me to make up the shortage of {$280.00} they didn't get back, and want me to pay them for their lose. Of course in several phone calls I reminded them, that had they used the HUD insurance program, rather than their own, they would have received a TOTAL refund on their purchase and not just a partial refund. 
Again, more months of letters/phone calls bugging me to clear up the default on my mortgage. All the while, I'm calling around the government offices looking for help to get RMS off my back. After speaking with XX/XX/XXXX, HUD ( XX/XX/XXXXXXXX FHA Case XXXX XXXX XXXX ), FEMA and NOVAD , XXXX XXXX XXXX , talked to XXXX XXXX, HUD/NOVAD case # XXXX, ( last time was to HUD and spoke to XXXX XXXX XXXX ) several times each, it became clear they could do nothing for me. Even though they ALL agreed 'and expressed to me ', that I was in the right, but out of their hands. 
Finally I came across CFPA and am now hoping for their help and a resolution to all the harassment from RMS. Of course the question is now in XXXX, not that I should have flood insurance, but, do I owe RMS {$280.00} for a flood insurance refund that they didn't get back from their insurance co. Since RMS, by their actions, have shown that by asking for and receiving a refund on the insurance policy of my mortgage. Means they accept and have accepted the fact ( LOMA ), that my property is not in a floodplain at all. The question is now, why am I being asked to pay for their {$280.00} lose on insurance they took out on my mortgage.

A person with any kind of business sense at all, would not have let this issue go on for three years. Taking in account all the paper, printing, envelopes, postage, phone calls to me/from, hours spent by employees and myself talking ( sometimes 1/2 - 3/4 of hr ) on this subject. Would have come to the conclusion 'long ago ' ( over 3yrs ), that they have lost 'way more ' than the {$280.00}, they have been trying to collect on a so called trumped up debt. Is it any wonder.., the XX/XX/XXXX has them rated an 'F ' and their in a Chapter XXXX bankruptcy.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation