Thursday, June 17, 2010

FYI: More FTC Actions Against Fraudulent Loan Mod Companies

The Federal Trade Commission announced several new developments in its crackdown on fraudulent loan modification and foreclosure relief companies.  One settlement order bans 16 marketers from the mortgage modification or foreclosure relief business, another requires payment of $11.4 million for violating a previous court order the FTC obtained against the same scammer for fraudulent telemarketing practices, and a new FTC lawsuit charges another online marketing operation with masquerading as a government mortgage assistance program.

 

The FTC is focusing on companies that charge consumers up-front fees and made false promises that they could get their loans modified or prevent foreclosure.

 

Some highlights include:

 

-  Impersonation of MakingHomeAffordable.gov

-  Federal Loan Modification Law Center,” charging largely upfront fees of as much as $3k but not delivering services

-  False claims of being able to obtain mortgage loan modifications for consumers in all or virtually all cases, false “money-back guarantees,” and false statements of affiliation with HOPE NOW

-  Misleading “official government agency seals” or logos and links to federal government Web sites

 

For more detailed information, and copies of the court filings, please see:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/06/loanmods.shtm

 

 

Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks.
 

 

Ralph T. Wutscher

Kahrl Wutscher LLP

The Loop Center Building

105 W. Madison Street, Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois  60602
Direct:  (312) 551-9320 

Fax:  (866) 581-9302
Mobile:  (312) 493-0874

RWutscher@kw-llp.com

http://www.kw-llp.com

 

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