Does anyone have loan modification experience with Platinum Law Group of Beverly Hills / San Dimas?

This law office is sending out an official looking Bank of America notice saying they would like to check up on your loan modification status, from the "loan assistance department program director. When you call them they notify you that they are not BofA, "but work closely with BofA to lower your monthly mortgage payments via a loan modification." The cost is the amount of one month's mortgage payment, due when the file is submitted to the bank. If they can not get the in-house underwriter approved modification from the bank, then your money is refunded. Is this for real? And why would they require payment before a result is tendered by the bank? And there is some concern regarding the legality of any upfront payments to anyone regarding modifications, I thought??