Ohio Attorney General Sues Mortgage Modification Companies

​On August 13, 2015, the Ohio Attorney General announced that it had filed a complaint against several loan modification companies that allegedly misrepresented to Ohio consumers the nature of their services.  The complaint alleges that the companies violated the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Ohio Debt Adjuster’s Act by representing to consumers that they could prevent foreclosures by paying the companies an up-front fee prior to the companies providing any services.  The complaint also alleges that the companies told consumers they could obtain federal grants to help the consumers pay their mortgages.  The complaint further alleges that the companies often failed to provide any services after receiving these fees, and refused to refund fees to dissatisfied customers.  The complaint seeks a permanent injunction against future unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable acts, actual damages, and civil money penalties of $25,000 per violation.