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Mortgage Relief Scammers
The Federal Government appears to be increasing its efforts to protect homeowners from mortgage rescue scammers. As we reported here, mortgage rescue scammers may attempt to take advantage of homeowners by fraudulent posing as government programs, accepting payments without providing services, or transferring title to the mortgaged premises, among other things. The scale of this lawsuit, along with the fact that the Federal Government seems to be pursuing these types of cases more frequently, should discourage individuals attempting to pursue such practices. But the fact that the Government named so many defendants also means that these practices are still probably quite common. Homeowners should diligently research foreclosure rescue programs before entering any agreements, or making payments. Read more about the lawsuit here.
Foreclosure Attorneys in Mineola
The Attorneys at the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC are experienced in Loan Modification Negotiation and Foreclosure Defense. If you have questions about these or other legal issues, call our office at 516-858-2620 today to schedule a free consultation.
Federal Trade Commission vs. Mortgage Relief Companies
Federal Trade Commission sues mortgage relief companies
The Federal Trade Commission recently filed three separate lawsuits against mortgage relief companies – Prime Legal Plans/Reaching U Network, American Mortgage Consulting Group, and Expense Management America. According to the FTC’s allegations, these companies were fraudulently selling mortgage relief services. The companies charged homeowners for various services that were supposed to reduce mortgage payments or otherwise relieve them of mortgage obligations. In reality, the companies accepted payment without providing services. Additionally, the companies violated other laws by, among other things, calling homeowners that were on the do-not-call registry, fraudulently claiming to be associated with government agencies, fraudulently claiming to be attorneys, collecting upfront fees, and claiming to be charities.
It is bad enough that these companies were charging distressed homeowners without providing services. What’s worse is that, by convincing homeowners that their services would be effective, these companies prevented homeowners from pursuing legitimate services and defenses.
According to a recent press release, the FTC has filed more than 40 cases against fraudulent mortgage relief services since 2008. This suggests that such practices might be quite common. Homeowners should always be on guard against potential scams, and should gather as much information as possible about mortgage relief or other debt defense companies before making payments.
The Attorneys at Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC have experience in Loan Modification Negotiation and Foreclosure Defense. If you have any questions about these areas and would like to schedule a free consultation, call our office at 516-858-2620 today to schedule a free consultation.
Debt Collectors Pay Price
A debt collector recently charged a borrower $2.95 in interest on a judgement, even though no post-judgement interest had been awarded. A district court decided that this violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, meaning that the debt collector had to pay the borrower $1,000.00, plus legal fees. This might seem like a hefty punishment for such a small amount of money, but that is the penalty for violating the act – even if the violation is minimal. You can read the opinion here.
If you are being harassed by debt collectors, The Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC is here to help. Call our office at 516-858-2620 today to schedule a free consultation.
