Computer mess-up causes mortgage default

TACOMA, Wash. - With two little girls filling every day with excitement, you probably understand that Dustin and Trina Blatnik are very busy people.

In their seven-year marriage, the couple has kept current on their GMAC home mortgage, never missing a payment, which makes what happened to their account all the more confusing.

"It's just a crazy mess," Trina said.

GMAC Mortgage sent them two notices telling them they were behind and to pay up.

"We thought that one got lost in the mail," Dustin said. "But when we went through the register, we saw that not everything was taken out and on time."

This couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Blatniks are trying to refinance and this mistake could hurt their credit score and put the deal in jeopardy. Their calls to GMAC Mortgage got nowhere.

Dustin Blatnik: "In fact, they've told us, you know, 'We've found your payments.'"

Trina Blatnik: "'It's going to be fixed, call back in five days to verify,' and it's still today."

Dustin Blatnik: "Haven't heard anything."

So what happened here, it took a while to track this one down.

GMAC Mortgage checks get scanned by a computer. The computer cashed the check without registering the payment.

I called them up and asked the company to give the Blatniks' account a second look. They put a fix in immediately.

GMAC Mortgage also rushed notice to the credit bureaus to makes sure their credit is in good standing. Now the couple can focus on what's really important.

"It's really amazing that mortgage companies like GMAC have the power to damage your credit and things of that nature when in fact you've been one of their best customers, we pay on time for four years straight now," said Blatnik.

GMAC Mortgage couldn't give us all the details about what happened, but this is a good reminder to keep track of all your payment history.
As for the Blatniks, they're trying to get their home refinance plans back on track.

For consumer concerns, e-mail Jesse to getjesse@king5.com or call toll-free 877-51-JESSE. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/GetJesse.