Markets Wired

The operators of a Los Angeles-based student loan and mortgage debt relief operation have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they bilked millions of dollars out of consumers by falsely claiming to be affiliated with the federal government.

The defendants, A1 DocPrep Inc., Steamlined Marketing, and their owner, Homan Ardalan, falsely claimed to be from the Department of Education, and promised to reduce borrowers’ monthly payments or forgive their student loans, according to the FTC’s October 2017 complaint.

The FTC also alleged the defendants targeted distressed homeowners by making false promises that they would provide mortgage relief and prevent foreclosure. Defendants allegedly collected advance fees from consumers of up to $4,500, in violation of the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule.

Under the settlement order, the defendants are banned from debt relief and telemarketing activities and prohibited from making misrepresentations or unsubstantiated claims related to financial or other products or services.

The settlement order also prohibits these defendants from profiting from customers’ personal information collected as part of the challenged practices, and failing to dispose of such information properly.

The order includes a judgment of more than $9 million, representing gross revenues of the defendants’ student loan and mortgage debt relief operation, minus refunds. Due to inability to pay, the order partially suspends the monetary judgment after the defendants turn over all of their assets, approximately $305,000.

The Commission settled with the other defendant, Bloom Law Group earlier this year.

The Commission vote approving the proposed stipulated order against A1 DocPrep Inc., Steamlined Marketing, and their owner, Homan Ardalan, was 5-0. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered the orders on November 16, 2018.

NOTE: Stipulated final orders and default judgments and orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.