Consumer complaint received 2025-04-30 00:00:00
Product: Mortgage — Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Struggling to pay mortgage — Applying for or obtaining a modification, forbearance plan, short sale, or deed-in-lieu
Company: AMERIS BANCORP
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
Summary of Complaint : I am filing this complaint against Ameris Bank regarding my mortgage loan ( # XXXX ) due to persistent violations of consumer protection rights, unresponsive servicing, and inconsistent communication that have left me in a prolonged state of housing insecurity for nearly XXXX years. Despite multiple forbearance agreements and repeated attempts to pursue a loan modification in good faith, I have faced denials, conflicting communications, returned payments, and unjustified threats of foreclosure. 

Timeline of Events : XX/XX/XXXX : I applied for a mortgage forbearance due to a temporary financial hardship after a contract dispute between the XXXX XXXX XXXX with ( as a XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX 
XX/XX/XXXX : Forbearance was formally approved due to pandemic-related disruptions, including XXXX XXXX  shutdowns. The agreement was renewed at XXXX to XXXX intervals until XX/XX/XXXX. 
XX/XX/XXXX : I resumed regular monthly mortgage payments and submitted a complete loan modification application. I also made periodic additional principal payments during this time. 
XX/XX/XXXX : My loan modification application was deemed complete. 
XX/XX/XXXX : Ameris denied the application, citing excess debt and reduced income, despite submitted documentation. 
XX/XX/XXXX : I presented a certified check for {$350000.00} to Ameris Bank to satisfy the full forbearance balance. A bank representative refused the check, claiming they could not accept it without an official payoff amount from their remote accounting department. To prevent foreclosure, I had to file for bankruptcy. 
XXXX : I re-applied for a loan modification and submitted over XXXX pages of documentation with the help of my accountant. I continued to make mortgage payments during this period. 
XX/XX/XXXX : I was again denied due to incomplete documentation, even though I have signed XXXX receipts and confirmation that a full packet was delivered and received. 
XX/XX/XXXX : After appealing the denial, Ameris requested a reinstatement fee of {$5700.00}. I paid this via certified check on XX/XX/XXXX, and provided proof of delivery. 
Fall XXXX : I continued to make monthly payments, but Ameris began returning them, stating the amounts were insufficient to cure the full default. 
XX/XX/XXXX : I received a notice from Ameris that foreclosure proceedings would continue. 
XX/XX/XXXX : Ameris reversed this decision and issued a letter revoking the foreclosure and permitting regular monthly payments to resumea significant relief. 
XX/XX/XXXX : Just XXXX days later, Ameris issued a Notice of Breach, claiming default from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX my being in an approved forbearance plan through XX/XX/XXXX and continuing payments into late XXXX. I have attached proof of these payments. 

Despite repeated effortson my own and with the help of a bankruptcy attorney and now a consumer rights attorneyI have not been able to obtain honest, transparent communication or a consistent resolution from Ameris Bank. My case has been left in limbo, and this prolonged instability has been incredibly distressing, especially as I balance these issues with my full-time responsibility as a XXXX XXXX XXXX  serving a vulnerable population.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation