My property is in AZ, where taxes are paod bi-yearly, 1st half and 2nd half.
I originated a loan with a lender, which was sold to Freedom Mortgage, back in 2021, as a NON ESCROW loan.
During June through early August, 2024, I was out of town, and had my laptop with me.
During this time, I knew I had to make my 2nd half tax payment, not having a secure internet connection, I waited to get home and pay it. When I arrived home, I found a lettter from Freedom Mortgage that they cancelled my escrow waiver, I immediately called to beg for mercy and send money to cover what Freedom paid, then the fun begins...
Customer service is nothing more than a firewall where you speak and nobody pays attention to what you're explaining.
I then made tax payments, which are not due as of the current time for FY 2024, to show good faith, after all, we're hunan and forget and make mistakes, right?
Another call to Freedom, another dead end, I pleaded my case to no avail.
Weeks pass, I get a call from Freedom, I again plead my case, the rep actually listened and noted money I sent to pay what Freedom paid on my 2023 taxes was applied priniciple! So, I made another payment, thinking all is good, wrong!
I get another call from Freedom, again same dog and pony show, however, the rep tells me to send proof of tax payments, to keep it short, I was told this 3 seperate occasions, in which I mailed via USPS .all documents to prove my taxes are paid a year in advance, each time I receive a letter of denial on removing the escrow account, and raised my payme ts by $487 a month!
On 12/11/2024, I finally spoke to a 'senior supervisor', I explained in detail how I have done exactly as instructed, she was very rude and told me that Freedom pays my taxes and insurance, which is blatant lie, as I have proof that I have always paid these items, so she transfers me to the property tax division, I speak with a man named Les, as I am explaing everything to him, I ask if what I'm doing sounds like that of a sane person, asking nothing more than to show some human compassion, after all, Freedom now has $2,500 of my money in escrow and I simply cannot afford to a payme t in excess $1000.
The phone went 'click', call ended, he actually hung up on me!
During this whole ordeal, I spoke with an attorney, he seemed puzzled on how escrow could be waived for a late payment on a partial tax payment. I was told he could resolve this matter, @ $375.00 an hour. Well, screwed again, it would cost over $4,000 to prove my case.
So now I am trying a last resort and filing with Arizona Dept of Insurance and Finance.
Its sad, middle of December, and I cannot afford the mortage payment and have Christmas, so now I've resorted to trying to sell my home!
Kicker, my home is worth $700,000 with a loan balance of $158,000. Naturally I'm retired, fixed income, stuck in over inflated economy where I've lost $$ in investments, things are tight, and Freedom Mortgage is so cold and non human.
In 64 years, I've never dealt with such cold unforgiving company!
Oh, I also own my vehicles with no loans, so yes, priot to 2020, financially I was secure.
Recommendation: Do trust Freedom Mortgages web portal to make payments. All I want is to go back life as normal, and not be treated like a theif, talked with respect and compassion, Freedom Mortgae is the dung heap!