I'm Being Threatened Again

[liznindy]

Pam,

I would suggest getting new business cards!!! DON"T put your address on them, just your business phone and or email (which can both be changed if you feel threatened). I have been giving out business cards without an address for a while now and I feel much safer knowing that my home address is not known to everyone.

I have a post office box (the UPS store, formerly Mailbox etc) which I use for all business correspondence. The address for this box is a street address (of the UPS store) and a box number. I feel it is professional enough.

Safety should be a serious concern for us all.

I would also tell the lender's customer (if they want a refund for the appraisal fee) they will need to talk to the lender as the lender is your client and authorized your collection of the appraisal fee which is just a portion of the closing fees which the borrower is charged.

This is one reason why I don't feel comfortable collecting COD for mortgage lending appraisals (even though I do from time to time). The homeowners tend to think the appraiser is working for them!

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Pam,

I would almost believe that the home owner does not understand that the appraisal fee is not refundable. A simple letter or phone conversation might clear things up for them. It might help that you explain that you have broken no laws, but their idle threats could be viewed as harrassment by the local authorities and you certainly don't want to get them in trouble with the law, but will not hesitate if it persists.

Sometimes it is easier to talk things out and explain things properly, but if you see that there is no solution they can understand, the true facts about you options with the law may sink in.


Good luck and be careful,

Tim in TX

 

[Richard Carlsen]

I disagree Tim.

Let the LO explain the process to the HO, his customer.

Let the HO explain to the police and the prosecutor why he is going around making threats against people.

Let Pam get on with doing her appraisal work.


Pam;

It's snowing like crazy up here now. Come on up and join forces with me in the beautiful north country.

 

[Steve Forstner]

I don't give out business cards and haven't in the past several years. I also don't live immediately in the community that I work in (about 20 miles away). This gives me a little bit of security that I wouldn't have otherwise.

If worst comes to worst, (I hate to say this), but I'd give him the money. Try not to think of it as a refund, extortion payment is much better. The plain fact is, a refund under these situations has nothing to do with number hitting and everything to do with fist hitting, or having a stroke from the strain. While I realize that extortion is illegal, the police can only protect you if they see the event happening, or clean up after the fact.

I know a lot of you would stand your ground, and sometimes I will too. But it can get mighty lonely out here in the backwoods, with lots of distance between frequently vacant homes. Folks been known to turn up missing before... I don't want to learn what happened to them.

This guy sounds like a real nut. Be careful.

Steve

 

[Pat Butler]

I agree with Steve. If you think he really is a dangerous person then give his money back. There's a difference between a disgruntled borrower and a complete nut case. Only you can make that determination yourself. But giving the money back may give you the peace of mind you are looking for.

 

[Mountain Man]

If you want to give him the money back, I don't have a problem with that.... and with that letter in your file, I don't think the USPAP Police will argue either.

But I'd still get a restraining order. I've had to deal with nut cases in the past, and they do NOT use any rational thought pattern.

 

[Farm Gal]

Pam:

IF this goes any further (I am thinking you took the appropriate steps already) I would get a translator WHO YOU CAN TRUST and take one more stab at it with clean communication happening. There ought to be several ways to locate a person like that: the local police are certainly one source.

I personally would give communication a try before cc'ing all parties concerned and dragging the police into it. Probably the biggest impediment is the language barrier. Informing your client to deal with thier borrower is certainly in order .

I think given the situations you have been facing, that aligning yourself with 'group' is a very good idea, if for no other reasons than allaying the feeling that you are the only one out there and to insure safety concerns are met: having someone know when and where you are going not hte least of them. I often accompany an older appraiser friend when her 'boy' cannot.

I don't hand out biz cards anymore either.

I woldn't hand the $$ back on principle: it encourages the behavior that sets people to thinking that threats are appropriate. Not worth your life for sure, IF this guy is a nut or you feel very threatened do whatever you have to do... but on the other hand bullies usually melt if confronted with reason and firm assurance that they are wrong, and will not succed through abuse.

 

[Will43]

If you use a PO Box, what address do you give on the appraisal report? I have the homeowner sign a letter stating the appraisal fee is non refundable and all questions must be directed to their mortgage company.

 

[Travis McGee]

Will- Many mail Box USa have a suite number and street address it looks like an office sutie and is a real address, not a PO Box whih looks sleazy.

I respectfully disagree with Lee Anne I don't think it is a language or communication problem. She's tried 3 tims. Every business has its hare of nuts- people pretend to find bugs in restaurant food to get free meals, pretend to have rips from dyr cleaners, stage fake falls in hotel lobbies to get money etc. It sound like this could be one of these guys, or a person who really feels slighted and wants SOMETHING back. Although rewarding bad behaviour, it might be good business to geive half themoney back ( through the mortgage broker, not personally). Call it a business loss and move on. I once decided to give an appraisal fee back to someone I thought was nuts- and you know what, it was worth it-cheaper than moving an office. But always, the best judge of any situation is your own instincts.

 

[Bill_FL]

In this situation, I do not think I would give the money back. I have always used a PO box on all business cards, appraisal reports, etc. I dont like the address going out there.

Personally, I would talk to my client. Then 3 way call the borrower. I want the client to accept the heat for this.