CFPB Settles with Utah Mortgage Lender Over Claims of Deceptive Advertising Targeted at Veterans

On February 12, 2015, the CFPB announced that it had entered into a consent order with a Utah-based mortgage broker and lender to resolve allegations that the lender sent deceptive mailings to VA homeowners in violation of Regulation N and the Consumer Financial Protection Act. The lender allegedly sent mailings to consumers that falsely implied that its VA loans were approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and that its advertisements for other mortgage products were designed to appear like a government notice. The company agreed to discontinue issuing advertisements implying a government affiliation and to pay a civil penalty of $225,000.