Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/04/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On June 23, I completed the closing / escrow process for my rental property located at **** *********** *** ********** TN XXXXX. Stewart Title Mt Juliet performed the transaction. Despite being provided with clear wiring instructions (a printed copy from ******** ********* including bank account, routing number and "for final credit to" details), Stewart mis-handled the funds from the closing by wiring them WITHOUT the "for final credit to" details. This resulted in my funds being deposited in another customer's account by ******** as they did not have MY account details.
  
  Thus began an almost 4 week period of time during which I incurred significant stress as I am planning to retire in early 2023 and these funds were a significant part of my retirement plan. In my opinion, Stewart personnel were slow to react, required instructions from me (despite Stewart being the experts) in order to take actions to attempt to find/recover my funds, etc. Finally, I was able to reach the appropriate personnel at ******** and escalate the issue to the point that the funds were recovered from the other customer's account and returned to my account with little to no help from Stewart even though it was their mistake that caused the funds to be posted incorrectly.
  
  I am seeking a refund of the $525.00 I paid Stewart for their services as I don't feel they are entitled to payment for mis-handling my funds.
  
  I am including additional documents:
  
  1. Complaint letter to Stewart Title submitted both via website and US mail to corporate HQ.
  2. Copy of ******** wiring instructions provided to Stewart
  3. Copy of CertifID process showing no "for final credit to" details
  4. Copy of wiring instructions showing no "for final credit to" details
  5. Copy of settlement showing payment of $525 for Stewart services

  Business Response

  Date: 10/20/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/10/13) */
  Contact Name and Title: ***** ****** - Legal Cous
  Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
  Contact Email: ************@stewart.com
  This letter shall serve as the response of Stewart Title Company ("Stewart Title") to a complaint ("Complaint") from the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee, Inc. dated October 5, 2022, regarding complainant. In the Complaint, complainant contends that he is owed a reimbursement for $525.00 for services Stewart Title rendered to complainant for the Property.
  
  MCH SFR Property Owner 4 LLC ("Buyer") and complainant, the seller, were parties to a transaction for the purchase and sale of the Property. Stewart Title was designated as the escrow agent. Stewart Title disbursed complainant's proceeds from the sale of the Property pursuant to the instructions stated in the Disbursement Request Form & Authorization. The funds were disbursed to ***** Bank and subsequently to ******** Brokerage. Thereafter, ******** mistakenly credited the proceeds due to Mr. ********** to another individual who had a similar name. complainant has since received his funds from the transaction.
  
  complainant signed an Acknowledgement and Receipt of Settlement Statement/Closing Disclosure which states that complainant "authorizes settlement agent to disburse funds in accordance with the Settlement Statement/Closing Disclosure and lender instructions (if applicable)" and that the parties "agree to indemnify and hold settlement agent harmless from any loss or damage suffered by them as a result of any negotiable instrument being dishonored or as a result of the authorized action of the settlement agent." In this transaction, Stewart Title acted as the settlement agent. As the settlement agent, Stewart Title was authorized to disburse complainant's funds in accordance with the disbursement instructions.
  
  Stewart Title Company is sorry that complainant is unsatisfied with Stewart Title Company's services. However, Stewart Title performed its duties with regard to the disbursement of complainant's funds. Stewart Title has rendered services to complainant in accordance with complainant's instructions which were authorized and signed bycomplainant. Additionally, complainant agreed to hold Stewart Title harmless. Although Stewart Title is not required to refund Mr. **********, Stewart Title is currently working with complainant to resolve his complaint and possibly issue a refund.