CA Enterprises dba Premier Services, Elite Services, and Elite Processing Services, and Jescar Denno and Edwin Amaya - Unlicensed Loan Modification Scam

Alert number: CAC-24-3706_5.26

The State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received a complaint from a Washington consumer that the parties below are offering to modify residential mortgage loans for Washington consumers in violation of Washington law:

• CA Enterprises dba Premier Services, Elite Services, and Elite Processing Services
• Jescar Denno
• Edwin Amaya

This company and the individuals named above, have been reported to have offered loan modification services and foreclosure assistance for an upfront fee; however, no services were provided. They are not licensed to do so by the DFI as required. Unlicensed loan modification activity poses a substantial risk to consumers, who are warned against doing business with such people.

Individuals or companies offering to assist homeowners in Washington State in obtaining a mortgage loan modification are required to be licensed by the DFI or be exempt from the licensing requirement. Further, individuals or companies offering such services may not collect a fee "up front" for providing such services and must provide consumers with all required disclosures.

The DFI warns Washington homeowners:

• Never pay an "upfront fee" to a person or company offering to assist with a mortgage modification unless you have verified that they are exempt from the licensing requirement. Call DFI toll free at 1-877-RING-DFI (1-877-746-4334) for help in verifying that a person or company is exempt from the licensing requirement and is permitted to charge an "upfront fee".
• Do not do business with a financial institution, company, or individual, without making sure that the entity is properly licensed.
• Do not give any personal information, such as social security number or bank account number or access, to someone offering to provide you with assistance without verifying license status.
• Consumers can determine whether a person or company is properly licensed to conduct business in the state of Washington by using the "Verify a License" feature on the DFI's website at www.dfi.wa.gov.

Important Information for Washington Homeowners About Mortgage Loan Modifications

The following acts or practices related to mortgage loan modification services are not permitted by companies or individuals subject to the Mortgage Broker Practices Act:

• Collecting an advance fee for a mortgage loan modification.
• Charging excessive or unreasonable fees for helping to get a mortgage loan modification.
• Failing to provide a written fee agreement for helping to get a mortgage loan modification.
• Making false or misleading statements to the borrower.
• Other prohibited acts listed in Washington Administrative Code Section 208-660-500(4).

Important Information for Washington Consumers About Unlicensed Lenders

• Washington residents only: If you suspect unlicensed lending or brokering activity, please contact the Department at 1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at www.dfi.wa.gov.
• Make sure that the company is licensed. Consumers can use the "Verify a License" feature on DFI's website at www.dfi.wa.gov to check whether a company is licensed to conduct business in the State of Washington.
• Do not provide any personal information, such as social security number or bank account number or access if the company is not licensed or authorized to conduct business.

Important Information for All Consumers

• If you received a loan from a lender and someone else is now attempting to collect the loan, the collection activity may be subject to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If you are contacted by a third party claiming you owe a debt, you can request a "written validation notice," which must provide the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the FDCPA. If you have questions regarding federal debt collection laws you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP or online at www.ftc.gov.
• If you feel you have been the victim of a scam you can contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or online at www.ftc.gov; or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at 1-855-411-CFPB (2372) or online at http://www.consumerfinance.gov.
• If the scammers already have your bank account information, social security number, or other personal information, you may be a victim of identity theft. You can contact your bank and the three major credit bureaus to take appropriate precautions. The FTC has information for victims of identity theft online at www.ftc.gov.
• If you feel you have been the victim of a scam involving the internet you can contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center online at www.ic3.gov.
• If you feel you have been the victim of a financial scam and are concerned about your personal financial information, you can contact your banking institution and the three major credit bureaus. Procedures for contacting the credit bureaus are available on the FTC's website at www.ftc.gov.
• If you live in another state, go to this webpage to find the regulator in your home state.