The Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday it is sending more than $223,000 in refunds to people who lost money to a student loan and mortgage debt relief operation that was the subject of a federal complaint filed in Los Angeles.
The FTC alleged that A1 DocPrep Inc., Streamlined Marketing, and their owner, Horman Ardalan falsely claimed to be from the Department of Education, and promised to reduce borrowers’ monthly payments or forgive their student loans in exchange for illegal upfront fees, according to a complaint filed by the FTC in 2017.
The FTC also alleged the defendants targeted distressed homeowners by making false promises that they would provide mortgage relief and prevent foreclosure.
The refunds stem from settlements the defendants reached with the FTC that also ban them from debt relief and telemarketing activities and prohibits them from making misrepresentations or unsubstantiated claims related to other financial products or services.
The FTC is mailing 136 checks to consumers who previously filed a complaint with law enforcement. The checks average $1,641 each. People who receive checks have 90 days to either deposit or cash their check.
Recipients who have questions about their checks can call the refund administrator, Analytics, at 844-695-0454.