The Federal Trade Commission is sending refunds to consumers who paid a sham mortgage relief operation that told financially distressed homeowners it would help get their mortgages modified but instead effectively stole their mortgage payments.
The FTC first filed suit against the defendants, who operated under the names HOPE Services and HouseHoldRelief, in 2015.
The complaint charged that the defendants targeted consumers facing foreclosure, especially those who had failed to get any relief from their lenders.
Pretending to be a “nonprofit” organisation with government ties, they falsely claimed they had a high success rate, special contacts who would help get loan terms modified, and an ability to succeed even when consumers had failed previously.
Instead, the complaint alleged that homeowners who made payments did not have their mortgages modified, and their lenders never received the funds.
The FTC is sending checks totalling more than $49,000 to 198 consumers, who will receive $251.36 each. Recipients are expected to cash their checks within 90 days, as indicated on the check.
According to a statement by FTC, consumers who have questions about their payment should contact the refund administrator, Analytics, at 855-715-2919 or visit the FTC website to view frequently asked questions about the refund process. The commission never requires people to pay money or provide account information to get a refund.
The commission’s interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2023, FTC actions led to $330 million in refunds to consumers across the country.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.