Deceptive mortgage relief marketers continue to prey on financially distressed homeowners, but one such company

has been stopped in its tracks and has been ordered to return $2.4 million to those victimized by its misleading practices.

Home Assure, LLC, has been charged by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for deceiving consumers with promises that it could save their homes from foreclosure. According to the FTC’s complaint, the company conducted a nationwide marketing campaign designed to take advantage of struggling homeowners by offering so-called mortgage foreclosure rescue services.

The FTC said Home Assure typically charged consumers an up-front fee of $1,500 to $2,500, and the company’s

representatives were accused of falsely claiming that the “special” relationships Home Assure had with lenders would enable the company to get favorable loan modifications or stop foreclosure altogether. In addition, the company allegedly claimed that it had helped thousands of consumers avoid foreclosure.

One of the claims on Home Assure’s Web site was, “If we are unable to negotiate a plan with your lender that improves your situation or gives you a viable strategy to avoid foreclosure, we will refund 100 percent of your money. . . No questions asked!”

Despite the company’s promises, the FTC said Home Assure did little or nothing to help consumers avoid foreclosure. In numerous instances the company allegedly refused to pay refunds, sometimes claiming consumers did not meet the terms of the contract for a refund or that they had breached the contract by contacting their lender or filing for bankruptcy, and sometimes without giving reason.

To settle these charges, Home Assure has been ordered to pay $2.4 million to those who were victimized by its misleading practices, and the company has been banned from selling mortgage loan modification and foreclosure relief services. Additionally, the order permanently prohibits Home Assure from misrepresenting any good or service, disclosing or benefiting from customers’ personal information, and failing to dispose of customer information properly.