NEWARK – The Division of Consumer Affairs has mailed notices of violation to nine New Jersey-based companies that allegedly offered loan modification services to consumers without being licensed.
The nine companies each were cited for violating the state’s Consumer Fraud Act for engaging in unconscionable commercial practices by allegedly offering to negotiate mortgage modifications without being licensed as a debt adjuster by the Department of Banking and Insurance.
“Homeowners looking for mortgage help instead are becoming victims of fraud, and risk ending up in a worse situation,” Attorney General Anne Milgram said. “We want these nine unlicensed debt-adjuster companies to reimburse consumers for fees paid and to comply with our laws.”
The Notices of Violation are the latest in an on-going series of actions taken by the Office of the Attorney General and the Division of Consumer Affairs to protect consumers in the current mortgage and home foreclosure crisis. To date, 11 civil lawsuits have been filed against 102 defendants who allegedly committed mortgage or foreclosure fraud against consumers.
The Division also filed suit against a Lakewood-based firm, United Credit Adjusters, and obtained a court judgment in July that permanently barred the company from performing credit counseling, credit repair or debt adjuster work in New Jersey.
The nine companies each sent a Notice of Violation on November 24 are:
Name Town Consumer Restitution
Affordable Finance, LLC Colts Neck $1,695.00
Best Response Loan Modification (aka Best Response Loan Mod) Parlin $0
EZ Financial Solutions, LLC Englishtown $1,000.00
Home Rescue Today.Com, LLC (dba Financial Solutions Today) Bridgewater & Freehold $2,495.00
Legal Loan Modifications, Inc. Cherry Hill $2,995.00
Premier Services & Consultants, LLC Mt. Laurel &
Sicklerville $1,706.91
RJD Consulting, Inc. (dba RJD Mortgage) Neptune $2,495.00
United Global Services, LLC Elizabeth &
Rutherford $3,067.00
Xtra-Financial, LLC Cherry Hill $3,786.00
Each company has been assessed a $5,000 civil penalty, in addition to the noted restitution.
Each company has the option of not contesting the charges contained in the Notice of Violation and paying the civil penalty and restitution within 15 days. Each company also has the option of contesting the charges and requesting an administrative hearing before the Division.
Mortgage/Financial Fraud Unit staff in the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection conducted the investigations of these companies.
Consumers can find information on licensed debt adjusters on the Department of Banking and Insurance’s web site
Consumers may file complaints with the Division online or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within N.J.) or 973-504-6200.
Source: New Jersey AG
How do I go about getting my money back from Home Rescue Today.Com, LLC (dba Financial Solutions Today)> My wife and I are out 2500.00 from them and have not been able to get intouch with them since we insisted for our money months ago.
Please help!!!
how do I get my money back from Ez financial. they took my money and I was never able to get a hold of them.
How do I go about getting my money ($2,000) was paid to the above company about a loan modification. Last month in April 2010 the phones are now disconnected and the website is a shell. I can not get in touch with them. I checked with my mortgage company and they have contact ed them since Feb 2010. Please advise.
Thanks