First - FYI - there used to be a HOST of complaints in regard to this company. For some 'reason' they were removed, although cached by Google for a while.

I ran into Earth Mortgage on bankrate.com and called them to verify what looked to be an excellent interest rate on an FHA loan. After calling, I was immediately assigned a mortgage consultant. I asked (without mentioning bankrate.com) about current interest rates in regard to a 30-yr FHA loan.

I was told that I could not be given rates because current rates would be based on my credit score, which is fine. In order to get current rates, I'd have to submit an application (and pay the fee, of course).

As submitting an application is probably an opportunity to run my credit and I hadn't been told an interest rate, this was an option that I did not want to pursue.

I asked for an interest rate based on some 'assumptions' - I detailed my income, income to debt ratio, and known mid-FICO score. The representative said that was all well and good, but still said he could not quote me a rate until I submitted an application so he'd 'know I was serious'.

I told him that I was 100% willing to submit and application, but ONLY if the interest rate (and associated APR) was very competitive. I would understand if my credit didn't come back as I detailed that I could not be guarnateed that rate. He still told me it could only be done with an application.

I told him I would submit an application, but he could not run my credit. He said fine, but I needed to pay the application fee and submit my ss# - which was a dead give away for me and I got VERY suspicious. I asked if he was a licensed loan officer, he said he was, I wrote down his name - and told him I'd call back.

The name, which escapes me, I looked up on the internet - he was not a licensed loan officer and his license had expired, if I recall correctly.

Run, Run, away from this company if they cannot do what they say they are going to do. It should be 100% possible to quote a rate on the phone based on some basic assumptions and should not require a credit check or application fee. Locking that rate SHOULD require an application and credit check...

Frank - obviously you want to do what's right, but be VERY clear with your employees... Reports like these will cost you some business.