TOLEDO, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit on Friday against a Toledo-based loan modification business and its owner after they allegedly engaged in multiple violations of state consumer laws.
N.M.M.S.R. Incorporated, doing business as Making Home Affordable USA, and Jason Keating, the company's owner, allegedly told consumers to stop making mortgage payments, took 60 to 65 percent of consumers' mortgage payments and failed to place the funds into escrow as promised. The defendants allegedly violated Ohio's Telephone Solicitation Sales Act and Consumer Sales Practices Act by failing to deliver, encouraging consumers to default on their mortgages and failing to register as a telephone solicitor.
"Too many consumers have lost thousands of dollars, or even their homes, because of loan modification services that did nothing to help them," DeWine said. "We are continuing to target foreclosure relief businesses that mislead consumers, and we will continue to take action when we find them."
Approximately 30 consumers filed complaints about Making Home Affordable USA with DeWine's office, the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission. The consumer reported losses of approximately $75,000.
DeWine's lawsuit seeks permanent injunctive relief, civil penalties and consumer restitution.
"Don't trust a business that tells you to stop making your mortgage payment in order to get a modification," DeWine said. "Not only is it bad advice - in Ohio, it's also illegal."
Ohio AG announces suit against Toledo loan modification business
