Mortgage Fraud Blog is the premier website for news and information on mortgage fraud and real estate fraud throughout the United States.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of Smith Dollar, PC, is licensed to practice law in California and maintains offices in Santa Rosa, California. Email Ms. Dollar
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Mortgage Assistance Solutions, LLC, a Florida foreclosure rescue company that sent advertisements to consumers claiming their homes were in foreclosure, can no longer do business in Idaho. Mortgage Assistance Solutions entered into a settlement agreement with the Attorney General that prohibits the company from advertising or engaging in any transaction involving an Idaho consumer or property in Idaho.
Idahoans filed complaints against Mortgage Assistance Solutions alleging that they were sent a direct-mail advertisement that stated, in bold, red letters: “FORECLOSURE COMPLAINT NOTICE.” The advertisement stated that the consumers’ homes were “scheduled to be sold at auction.” In order to avoid foreclosure, the consumers were instructed to call Mortgage Assistance Solutions.
The advertisement also contained false property recording information and identified “National Bank” as the financial institution associated with the foreclosure. Idahoans who complained to the Attorney General indicated that their homes were not in foreclosure and that the consumers had never done business with “National Bank.”
“Taking advantage of consumers’ fear of losing their homes is an unconscionable business practice,” Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. ”If you are a homeowner who is facing possible foreclosure, I encourage you to contact a HUD-approved counseling agency to obtain free information on avoiding foreclosure.”
Mortgage Assistance Solutions made claims it could negotiate a better deal with a homeowner’s mortgage lender than the homeowner can by dealing directly with the lender. However, the company required a $1,200 payment before it would discuss possible options with the consumer.
Under the settlement agreement, if Mortgage Assistance Solutions is found doing business in Idaho, it is subject to a $10,000 civil penalty. The company reimbursed the Attorney General $1,700 in attorney fees and costs. The company did not admit any liability under the agreement.
Mortgage Assistance Solutions is operated by Michael Stoller, an attorney in Beverly Hills, California.
Im glad that Idaho is stepping up to the plat on this issue, it is already a tough time in the morket and for the consumer or borrower when they have been late on thier mortgage. they dont need to get something in the mail giving them false hope that they can save thier home.
Posted by on 03/28 at 06:01 AM
It seems like the mortgage industry just keeps getting black eyes from organizations like this. Isn’t there anything more severe than a $1,700 fine and being banned from doing business in a state that can be done to people like this? It is obvious that their intentions we to defraud these individuals and I feel that they should have gotten a more severe punishment.
Posted by on 04/02 at 02:26 AM
It most be nice for some states to care, and orthers will not do much for you. I have profe of foregery and fraud, from hand writing exsperts and the state. negligence on the finance company, and neligence on the title company,my lawyer has quit because he had to take care of his family matters and has left in a worst problem then I was in. I can not find a lawyer that will take the case, without having any money. The county clerk is trying to find a lawyer for me, but can’t. If I lived in the city there is help. There is none up state. Legal aid will not help, the bar ass dose not have anyone to ass. The consummers fraud will not help and I can not fight myself the best lawyers in the state. how do you get HELP?
Posted by on 04/07 at 03:31 AM
Michael T. Stoller is a con artist 1 1/2years ago I hired is company “the new start program “ they said that they were gonna rescue my home from forecloser and renew my credit within one year,bullshit he belongs to the church of scientology and (WISE). I WROTE HIM A CERTIFIED LETTER AND FIRED HIM FOR NOT REPRESENTING ME IN MY BANKRUPTCY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES AND THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE IT IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE CHIEF TRIAL COMMISION. I WORKED FOR THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE FOR 15 YEARS AND HAD TO WALK AWAY FROM THE JOB I LOVED SO MUCH, MY WIFE AND I ARE HOMELESS AND WE ARE LIVING ON THE STREETS OF PASADENA CA. AGAIN HE IS A COWARD,FINT AND GANGSTER, HIS ONLY JUSTIFICATION FOR WHAT HE DID TO ME AND MY FAMILY WAS “I’M SORRY” NOW IF THAT AIN’T WEAK THEN I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS. ENCLOSING YOU WILL HEAR HOW THIS NATIONALLY KNOWN FRAUD ARTIST WILL BE PUT TO SHAME ALL BECAUSE HE HAS NO SELF RESPECT FOR HIMSELF. PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH RESPONSE.
Posted by on 04/21 at 04:15 PM
my wife and I miss our families dearly but we have nothing to go back to . We recently discovered in 2006 that my home was in pre-forecloser without my knowledge, that year, we fould a credit report file that clearly indicates Wachovia bank was plotting to take my home, back in 2002 I borrowed 2 loans 1st and 2nd, refyed,then a 3year adj.,to 3year fixed but was never given an opt. to renegotiate,with world savings,who I thought was my lender,then came (Stoller),The New Start Program (Letter)and I’ve been homeless since. Keith Hardesty
Failed Mortgage Firm Trustee Allowed $50,000 in Fees Union Leader
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge J. Michael Deasy will approve $50,000 in legal fees for the trustee of failed mortgage brokerage businesses Financial Resources Mortgage Inc. and CL&M Inc.
Bend Oregon Event to Help Homeowners Prevent Foreclosures Oregon.Gov
As part of an ongoing effort to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, state agencies are organizing a foreclosure-prevention event in Bend on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
Shelbyville Man Gets 2-Year Sentence For Loan Fraud Chattanoogan.Com
Prosecutor Gary Humble said the lost was approximately $2.3 million in the mortgage fraud involving hundreds of homes in the Shelbyville area.
Lend America, VP Ashley Banned from FHA Housing Wire
Michael Ashley, the embattled former vice president of Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-backed mortgage originator Lend America, and the company he worked for, were permanently banned from doing business in the industry last week.
Countrywide Tries to Pin Blame on Insurer Court House News
Countrywide Home Loans demands $111 million from Triad Guaranty Insurance, claiming Triad is trying to blame mortgage lenders for the insurer's role in the housing bubble and collapse.
Investors Say They Were Swindled in Property Scheme Fox 13 Now
Utah Division of Consumer Protection is joining forces with a few investors who claim they have been cheated by an agency called "Utah Mini Ranches.
Greenfield Man Accused of Housing Scam The Republic
A former real estate agent conned at least eight people by renting them properties actually owned by a federal agency and then running off with their deposits, prosecutors said.
Appraisal Institute Opposes Obama Administration's Plan for Homeowner 'Short Sales' PR News Wire
Citing concerns about increased mortgage fraud, four organizations representing more than 35,000 real estate appraisers today voiced their opposition to changes to an Obama administration program that will encourage "short sales" of homes.
Ownership Rights to Get Another Look TBO.Com
State lawmakers may beef up protections of property owners' rights by rewriting a law this spring that is at the center of a case of alleged fraud in Pasco County.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Continued Testimony
As reported by Anne Mitchell, who viewed the trial:
Angela Parenza worked for Jeff Miller as the office manager for 7 or 8 years beginning in 1998. Parenza was indicted along with Miller and pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and money laundering. Parenza testified that Miller or his contractors allegedly preferred to build all the...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Coverage Continued - Witness Testimony
Steve Middleton Testimony - Coverage Provided by Anne Mitchell
The Government continued in its cross examination of Steve Middleton. He was shown several HUD-1 statements involving sales of homes located in Overland Park, KS, and Olathe, KS. The HUD statements each allegedly showed line items of payments to (James) Moser & Associates, LLC's...
Monday, February 01, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial Coverage - Continued Witness Examination
According to Anne Mitchell, who is present in court for the trial:
Next Witness: Kelly Sanford
Kelly Sanford of the Federal Reserve was a short witness for the Government. Sanford manages electronic payments between banks and member financial institutions. He was shown copies of wire transfers and asked whether they coincided with the counts in...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 F. Jeffrey Miller Trial - Prosecution Witnesses Continued
According to Anne Mitchell, who is viewing the trial:
January 13, 2010
Witness: Rick Hayes
Rick Hayes testified that on the day that he closed on his Miller Enterprise home, he received a phone call from the Kansas Banking Commission informing him that his loan was fraudulent. After the Hayes responded to a classified ad, they met with John...
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The information and notices contained on Mortgage Fraud Blog are intended to summarize recent developments in mortgage fraud cases and mortgage banking matters nationwide. The posts on this site are presented as general research and information and are expressly not intended, and should not be regarded, as legal advice. Much of the information on this site concerns allegations made in civil lawsuits and in criminal indictments. All persons are presumed innocent until convicted of a crime. Readers who have particular questions about mortgage banking, mortgage fraud matters or who believe they require legal counsel should seek the advice of an attorney. The creators, editors and sponsors of Mortgage Fraud Blog do not intend to create a confidential relationship or an attorney-client relationship by communication via or arising from this site.
Rachel Dollar, the editor of Mortgage Fraud Blog, is an attorney and Certified Mortgage Banker who handles litigation for lending institutions and secondary market investors. She is an author and a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud. Ms. Dollar is a shareholder with the law firm of 
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