A YELP FOR HELP
Online tip gets reader a resolution
Dear John: I got your e-mail address from a Yelp review about Mr. Cooper, formerly Nationstar Mortgage.
I have had an issue with getting my mortgage modification resolved for over a year. This particular Yelp reviewer said her issue was not resolved until you got involved.
I am reaching out to you because I am tired of this company giving me the runaround. Please e-mail me if you would like to hear my story. Thank you for your time. S.F.
Dear S.F.: As you already know, I reached out to Mr. Cooper, the peculiar new name of your mortgage company, and it is resolving your problem.
It also apologized for any inconvenience.
And I know it is telling the truth because I got an e-mail from you afterward saying: “I just got a phone call from someone at the executive office of Mr. Cooper. They are going to finally book the modification. They acknowledged they dropped the ball and will resolve this in a few days.” Glad to help. For anyone else with a problem with their mortgage, let’s cut out the middle man. Call your mortgage company and threaten to get in touch with me if it doesn’t cooperate. Explain politely that it doesn’t need the bad press. Same for anyone else you are having trouble with — not including your ex.
If the threat doesn’t work, then get in touch with me. This will streamline the process.
Dear John: I overpaid my last property tax bill.
Earlier in the year I received a bill for $1,334.49 due on April 1, 2018. But my statement shows I have a credit of $1,447.33. Now comes the problem.
The New York City Department of Finance does not give you a contact phone number except for the 311 system. There is no live person to speak to when you have a problem.
Even searching the internet did not provide a telephone number. I called 311 on March 5. I was informed a service request would be put in to get my money credited to my bill.
I was issued a service request and was told the city has 21 days to respond. I followed the service request details online.
After the 21 days it said “past due.” I again called 311 on March 26. I also addressed my concern that my payment was due April 1 and I didn’t want to be late. I was told the only thing it can do is put in a complaint.
I’m worried that I will be hit with a late payment and that it will affect my credit, which is very important to me because as of today, my payment is late.
If people owe money can they send in a letter saying sorry for the delay? Would that be acceptable? F.S.
Dear F.S.: I had this problem recently with my mother’s real estate bill, and the solution is simple. Just deduct the amount of the credit, which in your case is bigger than the bill.
In other words, you should owe nothing this quarter. And the rest of the result should go to future payments.
Look on the New York City Tax Department Web site and you’ll see this: Property Tax Refunds and Credits. The Department of Finance applies most property tax credits towards your next bill unless you request a refund.
Please allow eight weeks to process your claim.
Note: Credit balances on your tax account must be used or re- funded within six years. After six years, any credit balances left on your tax account will become the property of the city. So, you should be good. If you want to verify this, go to: www1.nyc.gov/site/finance/index.page
On the right side you’ll see “Tax Bills and Payments.” Click on that and you’ll see “refunds and credits” toward the bottom.
Click on that and you should have your answer.