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Attorney General McCollum sends letters to House and Senate leadership on commercial real estate foreclosure
March 19, 2010 Posted by CFPBMC
March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General McCollum today sent letters to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate President regarding the impact commercial real estate foreclosures could have on Florida’s economy and encouraging the legislature to be proactive in addressing the pending crisis
McCollum: Be Wary of Scams Associated With Foreclosure Rescue, Loan Modification Offers
March 8, 2010 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — As part of National Consumer Protection Week, Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a consumer advisory on foreclosure rescue services and foreclosure-related loan modification offers, one of the most frequent subjects of complaints to the Attorney General’s Office during 2009. With a second wave of mortgage fraud and foreclosure rescue fraud predicted for 2010, the Attorney General warned homeowners that disreputable companies and individuals will likely continue trying to capitalize on the current economic climate and consumers’ credit and mortgage concerns.
California Company Sued for Foreclosure Rescue Fraud
February 4, 2010 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - February 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against a California company providing loan modification services to homeowners facing foreclosure. According to the lawsuit filed today in Orange County, 21st Century Legal Services, Inc. allegedly charges consumers up-front fees in violation of Florida’s Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act.
CFO SINK CALLS FORECLOSURE ORDER “IMPORTANT STEP” TO HELP FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS
December 29, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - December 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida CFO Alex Sink today commended the Florida Supreme Court order recommending a statewide managed mediation program for Florida’s homeowners. Given her previous work to aid Floridians struggling with foreclosure, CFO Sink was tapped by Chief Justice Peggy Quince to provide a delegate on the Task Force that developed these recommendations.
Attorney General Sues Three Companies for Loan Modification Scam
December 23, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - December 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced he has filed a lawsuit against three businesses operating in Miami-Dade County, their principles and affiliated attorneys on allegations of deceptive and unfair trade practices regarding their involvement in a foreclosure rescue scam affecting homeowners nationwide. The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division began investigating Kirkland Young LLC, in July after receiving numerous consumer complaints against the company. During the course of the investigation it was discovered that Attorney Aid LLC and ABK Consultants were affiliated with Kirkland Young LLC.
Buchanan Helps Homeowners with Chinese Drywall Avoid Foreclosure
December 3, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
Washington, DC - December 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) voted for legislation today to help Florida homeowners suffering from toxic Chinese drywall avoid foreclosure. Buchanan is an original cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 197, which l passed the House 419 to 1. The bill would encourage banks and mortgage servicers to provide impacted homeowners with temporary forbearance on their mortgage payments.
Castor’s Statement on Mortgage Modification Initiative
December 1, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
Washington, DC - December 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Kathy Castor released the following statement today. “Tampa Bay area families will benefit under the improved mortgage modification campaign announced by the Obama Administration today. Qualified families must be proactive and loan servicers must be held accountable for results.
Federal Trade Commission Commends McCollum’s Proactive Efforts Against Foreclosure Rescue Fraud
November 25, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - November 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today commended Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum for his proactive efforts to combat mortgage foreclosure rescue and loan modification scams in Florida. Yesterday, the FTC unveiled “Operation Stolen Hope,” a national sweep targeting these types of scams, and announced the filing of just over 100 state and federal legal actions throughout the country. These filings are in addition to the continuing efforts by Attorney General McCollum’s office, which has filed 17 civil actions in the past year with more expected in the coming months.
McCollum Files Lawsuit Against Central Florida Companies for Loan Modification Scams
November 9, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against two Central Florida companies and their owner over allegations they charged up-front fees for foreclosure rescue-related services. National Payment Modification Company and The Bostonian Group, LLC, which conducts business under the name People’s First, allegedly charge up to $2,500 in up-front fees to homeowners trying to rescue their homes from foreclosure.
Florida Housing Receives Funding to Support Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Efforts Statewide
November 2, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - November 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida Housing was recently awarded $1,805,370 to support foreclosure prevention counseling efforts in the State of Florida. The much-needed boost will bolster efforts to provide additional foreclosure counseling to area homeowners in danger of foreclosure.“Needless to say, we are very pleased to have been awarded these funds from NeighborWorks® America to expand and build upon the efforts to help those facing foreclosure in our state,” said Steve Auger, Florida Housing’s executive director. “Through the continued partnership with our sub-grantees, we will work diligently to assist as many homeowners as possible.”
CFO SINK TALKS ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR HOMEOWNERS AT HOUSING HELP ROUNDTABLE
October 20, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, LF - October 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Florida CFO Alex Sink today highlighted two initiatives she started to bring real, tangible help to Florida homeowners facing foreclosure, and heard from community groups and homeowners who are on the frontlines of tackling the state’s housing crisis.
Buchanan to Hold Foreclosure Prevention Event Saturday
October 9, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
Washington, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) will hold a foreclosure assistance workshop on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Lenders, federal agencies, and local housing and counseling agencies will help assist residents of Florida’s 13th District from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the student union at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton, Florida
Attorney General Presents $700,000 in Grants Through Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Fund
September 3, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - September 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Florida Bar Foundation today awarded approximately $700,000 in grants to several South Florida non-profit organizations to fund free foreclosure legal defense work. A total of $4 million will be available statewide over two years to fund attorneys and paralegals who will provide free legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. The grants were funded by the Attorney General’s settlement with Countrywide Financial last October.
McCollum: Orange County Legal Aid to Get $84,000 Through Mortgage Foreclosure Defense Fund
August 31, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - August 31, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum and The Florida Bar Foundation today awarded $84,000 to the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc. to be used for a new foreclosure defense assistance program. The program is funded by money obtained by the Attorney General through a settlement with Countrywide Financial. A total of $4 million will be available over two years to fund additional lawyer and paralegal positions devoted to providing free assistance to homeowners facing foreclosures who cannot afford legal defense.
Kissimmee Foreclosure Rescue Company Sued for Fraud
August 24, 2009 Posted by Florida RealEstateRama
TALLAHASSEE, FL - August 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Bill McCollum sued a Kissimmee-based company over allegations it targeted Hispanics in a foreclosure rescue fraud scheme. JPB Consulting Inc. and its president, Juan P. Bordali, allegedly charged up front fees of more than $1,000 per customer to homeowners about to lose their homes, but never performed any services. Charging fees up front before completing foreclosure rescue services is a direct violation of Florida’s Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act.
