National Property Assistance - Unlicensed Mortgage Loan Modification Scam

Alert number: CA060336_5/26

The state of Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received information suggesting National Property Assistance (NPA) may be defrauding or attempting to defraud Washington consumers. NPA's website purports to provide a range of services including loan modification services, mortgage restructures, "homeowners' rights," and foreclosure protection. The webite alleges that "if you are looking to reduce your current principal balance, monthly mortgage payments, or interest rate, WE WILL ASSIST YOU."

National Property Assistance is not licensed by DFI or listed as a registered business by the Washington Secretary of State or Department of Revenue. NPA does not appear in the NMLS database.

It appears that NPA allegedly solicited and received an upfront fee from consumers for services that were not rendered and these consumers did not receive a refund.

NPA has been associated with the following individuals:
Jennifer Taylor [[email protected]]

National Property Assistance has been associated with the following phone numbers:
Phone: [866* 350*7970]

Fax: [929*506*1027]

NPA has been associated with the following website:https://www.nationalproassistance.org

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 an "up front" fee for providing such services and must provide consumers with all required disclosures.

NPA is not licensed by the DFI and is not registered to conduct business in Washington State by the Department of Licensing, the Department of Revenue, or the Secretary of State.

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.

Report Unlicensed Lending Activity or Fraud

Washington State residents only: If you suspect unlicensed activity by a party offering to assist with a mortgage loan modification, please contact the Department at 1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at https://www.dfi.wa.gov. Even if your activity involves loan modification services you obtained over the internet, a license is still required.

If you feel you have been the victim of a scam you can contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or online at https://www.ftc.gov; or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855) 411-CFPB (2372) or online at https://www.consumerfinance.gov.

If the scammers already have your bank account information, social security number, or other nonpublic information, you may be a victim of identity theft and you can take appropriate precautions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has information for victims of identity theft available online at https://www.ftc.gov.

If you feel you have been the victim of a scam involving the internet you can also contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center online at https://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 https://www.ftc.gov.

If you live in another state, go to this webpage to find the regulator in your home state.