FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2018
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Division issued a Notice to Cease and Desist to Capital Home Advocacy Center and National Advocacy Group. Based on a complaint received from a New Mexico consumer, Capital Home Advocacy, formerly known as National Advocacy Group, charges advance fees for home mortgage modification services. New Mexico has banned advance fees for mortgage modification services through the Mortgage Foreclosure Consultant Fraud Prevention Act, passed in 2010. The Mortgage Foreclosure Consultant Fraud Prevention Act prohibits demand or payment of fees until the services have been completed.
“Preying on New Mexico families struggling to keep their homes is disgusting and it’s against the law,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “Companies who harm our families will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law by the Office of the Attorney General.”
Homeowners should not pay for mortgage modification help. Attorney General Balderas advises consumers to seek mortgage modification services only from HUD-approved housing counseling agencies which provide such help free of charge. Call HUD at 1-800-569-4287 for assistance and referral. If you have questions, contact the Attorney General’s Homeownership Preservation Program, Keep Your Home New Mexico, at 1-800-220-0350.
Please see attached for a copy of the Cease and Desist Order.
