The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $222,000 in refunds to consumers affected by a deceptive mortgage relief scheme operated by Lanier Law. The scheme charged homeowners thousands of dollars in upfront fees with promises to reduce their monthly payments but failed to deliver on these commitments.
The FTC initiated action against Lanier Law in 2014 as part of a joint federal and state law enforcement effort. In 2016, following the lawsuit, the defendants were banned from the debt relief business, and one of the owners, Michael W. Lanier, was disbarred.
Refund checks are being sent to 322 consumers, who are advised to cash their checks within 90 days as specified. Consumers with questions regarding their payments should contact the refund administrator, Analytics, at 866-590-8211 or visit the FTC website for frequently asked questions about the refund process. The Commission emphasizes that it never requires individuals to pay money or provide account information to receive a refund.
The FTC's interactive dashboards offer a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in various cases. In 2023 alone, FTC actions resulted in $324 million in refunds for consumers nationwide.
The Federal Trade Commission aims to promote competition while protecting and educating consumers. The FTC asserts it will never demand money, make threats, instruct individuals to transfer funds, or promise prizes. For more information on consumer topics, visit consumer.ftc.gov or report fraud and scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media for updates and alerts.
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