A homeowner who’s worried about foreclosure or desperate to refinance might listen to a caller who promises to help. Unfortunately, not all cold-calling telemarketers do what they promise. Enter the Federal Trade Commission’s nearly $3.6 million settlement with Prime Legal Plans. Claiming to represent a non-profit, Prime Legal Plan’s telemarketers called homeowners nationwide, and promised expert legal help — for a fee — to stop foreclosure. Homeowners who paid the company $595 to $750 a month to save their homes ended up with more debt, and little or no help. The FTC will work with the court to return money to the homeowners.
If you're having trouble paying your mortgage or have a foreclosure notice, contact your lender immediately. You may be able to negotiate a new repayment schedule. Legitimate resources are available to help, including housing counselors who are knowledgeable about foreclosure prevention options.
The FTC enforces the Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule, which makes it illegal for a company that sells mortgage assistance relief to collect any fees until it gets the result you want.
Please let us know if you paid a fee in advance to a company that claimed it would help modify your mortgage or save your home from foreclosure but didn’t come through.
