Government cracking down on mortgage modification scams

WASHINGTON — Federal and state officials are cracking down on mortgage modification scams, accusing "criminal actors" of preying on desperate borrowers caught up in the nation's housing crisis.

Government officials said Monday that scammers are seeking to take advantage of borrowers in danger of default by charging them upfront fees of $1,000 to $3,000 for help with loan modifications that rarely, if ever, pay off.

The frauds often involve companies with official-sounding names designed to make borrowers think they are using the Obama administration's efforts to help modify or refinance 7 million to 9 million mortgages.

"If you are struggling to make your mortgage payment, or if you are facing foreclosure, stay away from anyone who says that they will save your home for money upfront," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan told reporters in Washington.

Officials say such operations almost always are fraudulent, and that help is available for free from government-approved housing counselors.

"These are predatory schemes designed to rob Americans of their savings and potentially their homes," Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said. "We will shut down fraudulent companies more quickly than before. We will target companies that otherwise would have gone unnoticed under the radar."

The Federal Trade Commission has sent warning letters to 71 companies it says were running suspicious advertisements. The agency also said it filed three new complaints against Federal Loan Modification Law Center LLP, Bailout.hud-gov.us, and Home Assure LLC, and the operators of those companies.

Bill Anz, founding partner of Federal Loan Modification Law Center, defended his operation, saying he will offer a refund to anyone who doesn't get a modification. About 20 percent of the 5,000 customers have received a modification so far, he said, with more in the works.

"People might not like it," Anz said, but "realistically, the problem is so large that the private sector must step in."

Still, Anz, who advertises on television and radio stations nationwide, said he would be willing to changing his company's name. He conceded the name "might be aggressive."

Thomas Ryan, the operator of Bailout.hud-gov.us, has agreed to take the Web site down. Ryan said he still operates another site — which he would not name — that generates leads for foreclosure rescue operations. "They're providing a legitimate service," he said.