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New Jersey Man Cited For Exploiting Foreclosure Victims

Scam allegedly targeted consumers who had just lost their homes

August 21, 2007

The state said the complaint against against Samuel E. Goodwin, III is the first action filed under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act to address deceptive practices in the area of surplus funds recovery.

Surplus funds are the monies remaining after the foreclosure sale takes place and mortgage, tax and other legal obligations have been paid. Homeowners in foreclosure can claim surplus funds by filing a simple form available from the Superior Court Trust Fund Unit and after paying nominal fees totaling less than $100.

Goodwin allegedly charged homeowners 15% to 65% of the total surplus funds to which they were legally entitled by misleading the homeowners into believing that the process to recover the funds was complicated and could not be filed by the homeowners on their own.

The state alleges that in one instance, Goodwin received approximately $79,000 in surplus funds for making the application for release of such funds.

“Because of the ongoing subprime mortgage crisis, an increasing number of homeowners are facing foreclosure. These individuals can be a ripe target for those who would exploit their misfortune for profit,” Attorney General Anne Milgram said. “Consumers who have lost their homes in foreclosure need and deserve all of the surplus funds to which they are entitled.”

“We continue to educate consumers about the surplus funds process and to alert them to deceptive practices,” said Acting Consumer Affairs Director Stephen B. Nolan. “The Division will vigorously pursue those who would take advantage of vulnerable consumers. Anyone going through the foreclosure process is urged to get all the facts about how the process works and to be suspicious if anyone unexpectedly offers to help with obtaining surplus funds.”

The state’s complaint, filed in State Superior Court in Gloucester County, alleges that Goodwin, who maintains business addresses in Gloucester City and Woodbury, violated the state’s Consumer Fraud Act by the following:

• Misleading consumers into believing that he is a practicing attorney;

• Leading consumers to believe that the surplus funds application is a complicated process that requires his “expertise” and assistance;

• Leading consumers to believe that they could not make a pro se application for surplus funds;

• Aggressively pursuing and pressuring consumers into retaining his services and executing documents;

• Orally representing a surplus funds allocation between himself and the consumer, and then preparing written documentation that increases his share of the surplus funds recovery;

• Charging consumers varying percentages for the recovery of surplus funds when the same application process applies to all consumers;

• Recovering amounts ranging from $8,900 to $79,000 as a result of making a surplus funds application on behalf of consumers; and

• Failing to disclose to consumers the actual charges incurred in connection with the filing of a surplus funds application.

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In addition, the state seeks restitution for affected consumers, maximum civil penalties, reimbursement of its attorneys’ fees and costs and compliance with the Consumer Fraud Act.

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