When I refinanced our home mortgage last month, the company insisted that they do a one time escrow for my local real estate tax that will be due in April. They set aside $800. I received my real estate tax bill 2 weeks ago for $618. So I emailed the mortgage company to find out if they wanted me to send a copy of the bill. The reply came back – wrong “division”, they do not handle that, call this number. So I called that number – they said fax info to their tax department. I did that – heard nothing. After a week I called back – I got a really helpful individual this time. At first, she couldn’t find any escrow account! Then she found it and it was $0. Finally, after about 20 minutes on the phone, she discovered that the mortgage company had sent the escrow to an outside servicing company to pay the tax bill.
So after getting the number of the servicing company I called. And I called. And I called. Finally I got someone – they had already sent the payment in – all $800. So I then called our local real estate tax collector. Yes he had received the $800 check; but because it was for $800 and not the $618 owed, he had to send it back (they are only allowed to accept checks for the exact amount he said).
So then I had to call the servicing company again. And again. When I finally got a hold of the correct individual, I went through the whole story. She said they would send the correct tax amount right out, and that I would get the remainder by check in the mail, and that I should have it by Monday (Feb. 23). It is now Wednesday – no check. So tomorrow or Friday I will again hunt down the missing money.
I did not want an escrow account, even a one-time escrow for this very reason. Ugh! Now if it were me having their money, I would be getting “courtesy” calls and emails on a daily basis, plus I would be paying interest. Customer service is such an oxymoron. It’s amazing how attentive everyone was until I signed the deal – then it’s good luck getting help!
Oh well. At least it gives me something to blog about!
