Three men who operated a Post Falls mortgage modification business will return $7,000 to clients, and pay $1,000 in fees and costs, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said today.

Randy Allen, Clint Paulsen, and Travis Smith did not admit any wrongdoing in a consent agreement that will also bar them from further activity related to negotiating new mortgage terms for distressed homeowners.

Wasden's office received six complaints about HomeModifier, a business they owned as APS Northwest Idaho LLC. HomeModifier did not have the proper licenses from the Idaho Department of Finance.

Consumers said they paid for services they never received.

"While I understand thate these three men never meant to injure consumers, this case serves as a warning to all modifications companies," said Wasden, who made scrutiny of mortgage modifiers a priority after Coeur d'Alene-based Apply 2 Save Inc. victimized hundreds of clients before closing in May 2009.

 

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