Consumer complaint received 2024-02-15 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — FHA mortgage
Issue: Trouble during payment process — Escrow, taxes, or insurance
Company: Freedom Mortgage Company
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Freedom Mortgage Fails to Timely and Properly Pay Property Taxes, and Manage Escrow Account, Creating Escrow Surpluses and Engaged in Creating Escrow Shortages, Price Fixing, Price Gouging, Harassment & Discrimination Against me. 

Freedom Mortgage from the onset of servicing this account has made nonstop errors and willful violations of RESPA until this day playing abusing the RESPA violations processes. They have a history of doing this no fines seem to be a deterrent and the Consumers Affairs and/or governing agencies need to address this matter. It is my request and/or suggestion their licenses be revoked.

See groups Exhibit 12 attached.

See Exhibits 31, 32, 33 attached. 

Freedom has numerous consumer complaints lodged against it nationally on the CFPBs consumer complaint database. Each such complaint is filed and cataloged in the CFPBs publicly accessible on-line database which can be accessed at the following link : http : //www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints. 

See Exhibits F1, F2, F3 & F4. 


I have for years now had to file numerous complaints. Spend endless amounts of time to deal with this never-ending problem that is created by Freedom Mortgage. 

It started from day one when they stated to service this account. 

I received an erroneous letter dated XX/XX/XXXX from Freedom Mortgage a copy of letter is attached See Exhibit XXXX. 

I notified Freedom Mortgage of the errors on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX, See emails attached Exhibit 8, Exhibit 9, Exhibit 10. 

I Received an email Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX see email from Freedom Mortgage it is attached See Exhibit 11 I contacted Freedom Mortgage about the correction of errors on XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

I received an email Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX see email from Freedom Mortgage saying they could not move forward because a document they previously on a phone call and email said they had received it is attached was missing. See Exhibit 16. 

I received an email Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX see email from Freedom Mortgage saying they did not know what the pending or, what the correct mortgage payment due was, because they were without a supervisor it is attached See Exhibit 17. 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XXXX XXXX asking to please tell me the current months mortgage payment amount due see Plaintiffs email it is attached See Exhibit 19 I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX asking them to please tell me what the current months mortgage payment amount due. And explained what the property taxes should be. And requested that the escrow surpluses be returned in accordance to RESPA 1024.17 ( e ) ( 1 ) ( ii ) ( 2 ) Surpluses. And again, requesting the authorization form see Plaintiffs emails it is attached as TAR FORM ( TAR-2516 ) " AUTHORIZATION TO FURNISH TILA-RESPA INTEGRATED DISCLOSURES AUTHORIZATION '' See email sent attached See Exhibit 20. 


I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX who maintained that they did not receive the alleged escrow shortage payment XXXX even though XXXX it shows on their books See Exhibit 5. A pattern that keeps reoccurring even when the Plaintiff pays any escrow shortages in full Freedom Mortgage claims that they did not receive it. 

They also make false and misleading responses to CFPB and to me in an attempt to do plausible deniability one of their practice 's. I explained what the taxes should be. See Exhibit 21. 

Freedom Mortgage is being ran like a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization. As defined in Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 ( Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law ( United States ) 91452, 84 Stat. 922, enacted October 15, 1970 ), and is codified at 18 U.S.C. ch. 96 as 18 U.S.C. 19611968. 

I email Freedom Mortgage on XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX which still had errors. See Exhibit 23. 24 I requested that Freedom Mortgage stop the numerous RESPA violations that were occurring. See Exhibit 25. 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. And explained the importance of the authorization form which still not received. Plaintiff explained that the numerous errors were exacerbating a current illness. See Exhibit 26. 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage XXXX XX/XX/XXXX and notified them of more numerous errors occurring as well as again provided new material information as defined in 2012 Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act ( Regulation X ) Mortgage Servicing Act. I was receiving numerous statements that were erroneous and conflicting. I received statements that were indicating that I was in default as well as double billing was occurring while in fact there was an escrow surplus. 

The Mortgage payment was never late nor was there any shortage of escrow or payments. The amount paid exceeded the amount due because of the numberless errors that kept occurring and which are occurring to this day nonstop. See Exhibit 28.

I provided previously and explained it to no prevail what the property taxes were as well as that there was a surplus not a shortage of escrow, that the statement billing and amounts being paid were higher than what the monthly payment should be. See Exhibit XXXX. 

I received a letter dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX from Freedom Mortgage after he had served notice Freedom Mortgage to cease and desist from willfully violating RESPA and to cease desist from harassment and discriminating against him as per Federal Stalking and Harassment. 

Laws 18 U.S. Code 2261A - Federal Stalking Laws. Freedom Mortgage letter is willfully noncomplying with the notice they were served with and have recognized. 
Freedom Mortgage has a history of harassment and discrimination. 

In XXXX, the CFPB found that Freedom Mortgage had intentionally misreported HMDA data about applicants race and ethnicity. See Exhibits 31, 32, 33. 

I sent a response to Freedom Mortgage 's letter Dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. Notifying them they now are willfully misusing Section 805 ( c ) : CEASING COMMUNICATION and now was inferring that the Plaintiff " a consumer refuses in writing to pay debt '' to cease and desist from doing so. I again explained the errors and violations of RESPA occurring and that the Mortgage is over paid there is a surplus of escrow, and a violation of Continuity of Contact 12 CFR 1024.40 See Exhibit 34.

I received a letter from Freedom Mortgage dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX XXXX  stating that there was a surplus of escrow because of the prior property tax billing error. Freedom continued to make errors or willfully muddied the waters to create the illusion that the tax error was resolved in ignorance to information provided explaining that there was not just a surplus because of prior errors. That there was an even larger surplus because of the partial tax exemption. See Exhibit 35. 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX again explaining to them that there are errors occurring and that the property has a partial tax exemption. Plaintiff again provided Freedom Mortgage with a copy of the letter from the tax assessor. See Exhibit 36. 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX again providing them with the correct tax information and the correct balance of the surplus. See Exhibit 37. 

I received a letter from Freedom Mortgage dated XXXX XX/XX/XXXX which was also erroneous. Freedom Mortgage again muddies the waters. Also note they said " partial exemption ''. The surplus is more then what is mentioned in the letter also note that they said " will be sent directly to you in the amount of {$1000.00}. '' And they also stated " there was a surplus in the of {$170.00} with the new payment {$1200.00}. effective XX/XX/XXXX. See Exhibit 38. 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX and asked them in a written request asking who owns the mortgage. The servicer has an obligation to provide me, the name, address, and telephone number of who owns the loan. 
In compliance to Requests for Information 12 CFR 1024.36 The requirements set forth in 12 CFR 1024.36 apply to any mortgage loan, as that term is defined in 12 CFR 1024.31. and as in 12 U.S . 
Code 2605.

Freedom Mortgage has refused to comply or furnish that information until this time. Freedom Mortgage had to respond with an answer within 30 business days and continues too willfully violate the laws pertaining to the request. See Exhibit 38 B.

Information Requests Regarding the Identity or Contact Information of the Owner or Assignee of a Mortgage Loan If the information requested is the identity or contact information of the owner or assignee of a mortgage loan, determine whether the institution complied by identifying the person on whose behalf the institution receives payments ( 12 CFR Part 1024, Supp. I., 1024.36 ( a ) -2 ). 

I contacted Freedom Mortgage on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. In another attempt to get the numerous errors ones corrected occurring on a daily basis. And again, explained the errors and the fact that he has spent endless hours days and time on getting the numerous errors corrected. Freedom Mortgage had admitted that they did receive XXXX from the XXXX of XXXX which they had previously said would be returned directly to me. Freedom Mortgage had willfully paid the quarter of taxes even though there was a surplus and a refund once again mudding the waters to create a desired effect. 

To obtain that money as well and to continue in the willful actions under the cover of an error exploiting the situation and willful violations of RESPA as plausible deniability to continue in at bear minimum in their never-ending errors in servicing the mortgage. 

Freedom Mortgage then created an additional surplus while billing me as a shortage. In the amount of XXXX is grossly mismanaging the taxes account while representing in a letter sent by them that the XXXX of XXXX would be refunding directly to me. 
Freedom Mortgage then claimed that that overpayment to the city tax officials was part of the refund of the check for the amount of XXXX creating yet another error. 

Freedom Mortgage continued to bill me the wrong amount and increased my monthly payment for what they claimed was an escrow shortage when in fact there was no such shortage there was a surplus that Freedom Mortgage was well aware of or notified about. There was no taxes due there was a refund due the taxes were over paid. Freedom Mortgage was also double billing the me. 

Freedom Mortgage at the time who was the servicer then tried to blame the previous servicer XXXX for the errors Freedom Mortgage was doing including the denial of the so-called shortage. 

Freedom Mortgage then willfully abused a government program to assist the public during Covid 19 Pandemic. Freedom Mortgage was also reporting incorrect information to credit reporting agencies causing harm to the Plaintiff and effecting his credibility. In violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681 ). Freedom Mortgage created harm so that I could not obtain a lower interest rate or obtain any equity out of the property. Freedom Mortgage was reporting that the Mortgage was being paid sluggishly and payment and/or payments were not received before a 16 day grace period which they would again misrepresent a month ago. See Exhibit 39.

I contacted the City Tax authorities and Freedom Mortgage XXXX XX/XX/XXXX to get the errors corrected. Freedom Mortgage was blaming the City Tax authorities for their error in over paying the taxes even though they were notified in writing of what the correct taxes on the property was as had acknowledged there was a surplus. However, Freedom Mortgage inexplicably made a tax disbursement instead of refunding me. 

Freedom Mortgage was claiming they did not know what the taxes were and that they could not get in touch with anyone at the taxing authorities. See Exhibits 40, 41 & 42. 

In frustration filed a complaint with CFPB on XX/XX/XXXX. See Exhibit 47 Freedom Mortgage responded as Exhibit 47 shows. In their response they made false and misleading statements to CFPB and to me. They blamed the taxing authority for billing me even though they were provided with the correct information numerous times by me. 

They also stated that they sent a refund of {$4300.00} on XX/XX/XXXX when the check they received on XX/XX/XXXX exceeding XXXX024.17 ( e ) ( 2 ) Surpluses. See Exhibit 48. Freedom Mortgage also made false and misleading statement that they had received the refund " on XX/XX/XXXX. See Exhibit 49. 

I then received from Freedom Mortgage a statement claiming there was an escrow shortage of {$1500.00} on a statement from Freedom Mortgage dated XX/XX/XXXX in which they claimed was because of the taxes, which was already paid by the Plaintiff. 

On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX I paid XXXX XXXX Tax collector {$1800.00}, on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX I paid XXXX, on XXXX I paid XXXX to the XXXX XXXX Tax collector because of Freedom Mortgage 's willful negligence and/or continuous errors that are still occurring to this date and time. Therefore, there could not have been a shortage for a bill that did not exist. In fact, the taxes were over paid and there was a surplus at that time. See Exhibit 51 I knowing what they were up to and familiar with pattern that Freedom Mortgage was engaging in. Went to a public notary and paid the shortage in full with a cashiers check attached was the lump sum payment coupon provided on the statement. Plaintiff gave specific instructions what the payment was for and sent it to the address on the statement which said where to mail the payment to. It was sent priority mail with a tracking #. See Exhibit 52.

Freedom Mortgage continues to skillfully disregard my option to pay any escrow shortages in a lump sum. I without a doubt paid the alleged shortage in a lump sum and opted out of having it broken down in 12-month installments or to have it added to his monthly mortgage billing to keep the payment lower. Even when I pay the alleged shortage in a lump sum Freedom Mortgage denies receipt of the lump sum payment. 

Creating willful errors so that I have to spend endless amounts of time to get it corrected. This is a violation of Regulation X, such as a lump sum payment option. 12 CFR 1024.17 ( f ) ( 3 ) ; 12 CFR 1024.17 ( i ) ( vii ). Freedom Mortgage continued bill me at the 12-month installment plan in disregardful such mechanism and continues to do so or make such errors. See Exhibit 55. 

Freedom Mortgage continued to make false or misleading statements to me and CFPB without any regard in their lawlessness. One of such is " the XXXX XXXX XXXX Collector 's website, they credited you with a 100 % tax exemption for your XXXX tax liability " and " Your home owner 's insurance premium also increased from {$820.00} to {$1.00} XXXX " and " We have not received any payment from you to be applied to the shortage as of the date of this response. " Freedom Mortgagee continues to make derogatory and defamatory statements while alluding to the facts causing further harm to the Plaintiff. 

I contacted the bank and did research to track the payment of {$1500.00} which Freedom Mortgage claimed they did not revive and determined it was cashed at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. And contacted them they refused to tell the me if it was cashed by Freedom Mortgage or who had cashed it. See Exhibit 62. 

I received a letter from Freedom Mortgage dated XX/XX/XXXX which the letter stated egregious erroneous statements and in which Freedom Mortgage still maintained that the lump sum balance was not paid. See Exhibit 64. 

Freedom Mortgage continued to make false and stated egregious erroneous statements to me and CFPB. 

Then said " Regarding the lump sum payment, you did remit {$1500.00} on XX/XX/XXXX which represented the escrow shortage from escrow analysis dated XX/XX/XXXX. However, the payment with a principal curtailment was inadvertently applied as a regular payment with a principal curtailment and the monthly payment was not adjusted '' Another mistake and then Freedom Mortgage made another mistake and increased the monthly payment from, {$1000.00} to {$1100.00} a difference of XXXX per month. See Exhibit 68. In addition to that once again Freedom Mortgage had over charged the me {$410.00} and created a surplus that had to be refunded. 

I filed two more complaints with CFPB XXXX and XXXX. And once again to no prevail the error was not corrected. And the same patterns that Freedom Mortgage has been engaging in and has a long history of such patterns of what is being described. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I again served Freedom Mortgage about the never-ending errors upon errors of the errors that has been going on for years now. See Exhibit 69. I in a clear and precise mannerism notified Freedom Mortgage to " cease and desist comply and conform without delay. '' I then received a notice that is a very clear indication and proves intent that Freedom Mortgage was not going to comply or conform in fact they were going to double down on it and created the newest error. 

In which they would again say there is an escrow shortage in the amount XXXX date of the notice XX/XX/XXXX. In which they also make another one of those so-called errors and make a mistake as to what the current payment is and tack on top of the current payment and additional {$220.00} to begin by XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. Mistaking the current payment which is without a doubt and as the facts will show XXXX not XXXX. Making the new alleged {$1000.00} lump sum option which if we do the math comes to {$91.00} if we divide it by 12 months. Making it {$18.00} difference from the erroneous called current monthly payment {$1300.00}. 

The current payment which they have stated which is in no doubt is XXXX as the as the without a doubt and as the facts will show XXXX and not XXXX. Making the new alleged {$1000.00} lump sum option which if we do the math comes to {$91.00} if we divide it by 12 months. Making it {$18.00} difference from the erroneous called current monthly payment {$1300.00}. 

The current payment which they have stated which is in doubt was XXXX. 

My taxes have not gone up and my insurance cost went down. See Exhibit 73 & 74. 

I paid the previous alleged escrow shortage in full which ended up in a surplus of {$410.00} which Freedom Mortgage paid to me ck # XXXX. And a refund that the City Tax collector had to have a Common Council vote to refund the overpayment of {$410.00} and issue XXXX XXXX XXXX # XXXX Freedom mortgages newest stunt is that they now did not know what the current mortgage payment was which wasXXXX and not XXXX that there is shortage for the same reason of the prior shortage paid in full because that there was partial tax exemption on the property and not a full one which they as provide knew from the onset. 

That same escrow shortage paid in full that they said they did not get then later said they made an error. 

That now there is a shortage of XXXX and to top it off they make a mistake as to what my mortgage payment was prior to the new charade which was XXXX and not XXXX. 

They have now jacked it up to XXXX. I have served them certified mail they continue it.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation