AUGUSTA — State regulators on Tuesday ordered 15 foreclosure rescue companies to cease doing business in Maine.
The companies, which are all based outside of Maine, promised to help consumers avoid foreclosure, took advance fees but then did nothing to assist them, according to the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection.
The companies took a total of $36,000 in advance fees from 30 households in Maine but failed to save any homes or reduce debt for any Maine customers, according to Superintendent Will Lund.
The companies ordered to stop doing business in Maine are: Federal Loan Modification Center in Irvine, Calif.; United Hope Alliance Corp. in Jacksonville, Fla.; National Foreclosure Counseling Services in Jacksonville, Fla.; Hope Now Modifications in Cherry Hill, N.J.; Pathway Financial Management in Stanton, Calif.; Law Offices of Joel L. Schwartz of Northfield, N.J.; BillsMadeSimple.com Inc. in San Diego; Lewis Foreclosure Mediation Services LLC in Phoenix; Apply 2 Save Inc. in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; HelpModifyNow.com in Newport Beach, Calif.; Ocean View Investment Services Co. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; FHA All Day in Boca Raton, Fla.; Mason Capital Group LLC in Encino, Calif.; The Hall Firm in New York; and Fresh Start Mortgage Assistance Solutions in Beverly Hills, Calif., and Clearwater, Fla.
Consumers who have lost funds to unlicensed foreclosure rescue or debt management companies can fill a complaint at www.credit.maine.gov. More information is available by calling 1-800-332-8529.
David Stolt, the bureau's chief field inspector, said consumers should work only with licensed and bonded companies. The bureau can recover a consumer's money from the surety bond when funds are lost due to a violation in law.
A list of licensed and bonded debt management companies is available at the above Web site in the Rosters section.
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