FTC Cracks Down on Mortgage and Tax Scams Targeting Florida Homeowners

The Federal Trade Commission has filed multiple lawsuits against scammers who prey on homeowners and taxpayers facing financial trouble. These operations use official-sounding claims and fake government connections to collect upfront fees for relief that never comes.

Mortgage Relief Scams Hit Homeowners Hard

One major operation falsely claimed its mortgage relief program was backed by the federal CARES Act—a real pandemic relief program. Homeowners who believed they were dealing with a government-supported service paid upfront fees for help that scammers never delivered. The FTC shut down the operation and is seeking restitution for victims.

This follows a similar pattern: scammers create a sense of legitimacy by invoking real federal programs, then charge you money upfront before any work begins. Real mortgage assistance programs do not require you to pay fees before they help you.

Tax Debt Scammers Impersonated the IRS

Another ring of scammers went a step further. They impersonated government tax authorities and convinced consumers their tax debt could be eliminated. These operations collected millions by making promises they had no ability to keep. An FTC settlement with Nevada authorities will return nearly $10 million in assets to consumers.

The IRS does not initiate contact by phone or unsolicited email. If someone contacts you claiming to represent the IRS and demanding payment, it's a scam.

What to Know Before You Pay for Help

Whether someone is offering mortgage relief, tax assistance, or any other financial fix, remember this: legitimate relief programs do not charge upfront fees. They charge only after they have delivered the service. If you need help with a mortgage or tax debt, contact your lender directly or call the IRS at their official number (1-800-829-1040). Local nonprofits and legal aid organizations also offer free or low-cost help.

If you've already paid an upfront fee to one of these scams, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You're not alone, and your report helps the FTC build cases against these operations.