Mortgage fraud and Emmetts solicitors

QueenBurnham

Can anyone advise whether Emmetts solicitors are a reputable company?
My mother had her house remortgaged without her knowledge (by her now ex-husband) and is now up to her eyeballs in debt to the company, on interest only with another 8 years or so to go on the term. Of course by then, the mortgage company will repossess the house.
I have raised a formal complaint with the mortgage company who believe they did no wrong and with the broker (with whom I am awaiting the reply).

In the meantime, my mother has been contacted by Emmetts (cold calling, I believe) and they think that they can get her some compensation.
They say that they have been mentioned on the MSE website and that I should trust them, but something smells fishy.

It's a no-win no-fee arrangement BUT charge £595 for an 'extensive audit' apparently. :eek:

I have been fighting this for nearly 2 years without help and am exhausted, and really not experienced in this sort of thing. I'd love to think that I could sit back and let them take over but £595 is not an easy figure to come up with, particularly if they're a bit dodgy.

Can anyone suggest anything (anything at all?)
I'm totally desperate, (if you've managed to get this far - thanks for staying with me)

WestonDave

You are probably far better off phoning round local reputable solicitors (i.e. ask around for recommendations) who have experienced litigation solicitors, to find one that will give you an initial free interview. If you have a good case (i.e. she didn't sign any paperwork. forged signatures etc) then its likely someone will take it on genuinely no win no fee, rather than trying to rip you off for a £600 up front payment by which time they've probably little incentive to take it on.

As for Emmetts - no personal idea but this came up on google - http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=127223 which doesn't sound promising in regard to the quality of these "audits"

antrobus

Solicitors' Code of Conduct

Rule 7.03 (1) You must not publicise your firm or practice by making unsolicited approaches in person or by telephone to a member of the public.

http://www.sra.org.uk/rule7/

So if Emmetts did cold call your mother, perhaps a complaint to the SRA might be in order?

Other than that, WestonDave has the right approach.

QueenBurnham

Thanks to you both for replying so soon. I've found another company that claim to ask for no upfront fees so am thinking of going to them.
I'll have a look as suggested for local litigation solicitors too, but how do you know if they're any good? My mother had a local solicitor for her divorce but she didn't seem to be much cop really.
As for the remortgage, she didn't sign any of the paperwork, he signed her name on all the documents - he did the whole thing with the broker (and I'm still waiting for the formal reply from the broker.)
I'll steer clear of this Emmetts lot then, they sound like a right con, which is the last thing I need right now - they called, promising the earth but I try to remember:
'if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is'.

Thanks again x

KHAY

hi can you give me some advice regarding i was charged 4 years ago for alleged mortage fruad i have recently found out that its now been closed by the phiscals office and the civil recovery unit are now looking at it.
i have been staying in my house with my childern for the past 5 years and have never missed a payment. my house i purchased was £227,000 and left a depoisit for £57,000 and i borrowed £171,000 ,i am only due my mortage comapny £137,000 pounds.


please if you can give me some advice what i can do i have contacted soilctors but they are not giving me any information as they have never heard of it.

antrobus

KHAY wrote: »

hi can you give me some advice regarding i was charged 4 years ago for alleged mortage fruad i have recently found out that its now been closed by the phiscals office and the civil recovery unit are now looking at it.
i have been staying in my house with my childern for the past 5 years and have never missed a payment. my house i purchased was £227,000 and left a depoisit for £57,000 and i borrowed £171,000 ,i am only due my mortage comapny £137,000 pounds.


please if you can give me some advice what i can do i have contacted soilctors but they are not giving me any information as they have never heard of it.

Presumably you mean the Procurator Fiscal and therefore you live in Scotland. As far as I'm aware, the Civil Recovery Unit deals with the Proceeds of Crime Act.

I think you'd have to provide more details of the alleged fraud to get any advice.