The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has started a claims process for consumers victimized by a phony mortgage relief operation known as Lanier Law that collected upfront fees of thousands of dollars and promised consumers lower monthly payments but failed to deliver.
The agency announced it was mailing notices to 2,503 consumers who are eligible to request a payment. The deadline to file a claim is March 18 and eligible consumers can file a claim online at www.ftc.gov/LanierLaw. Consumers who have questions or need help filing a claim can email [email protected] or call 866-590-8211.
The FTC first took action against Lanier Law in 2014 as part of a joint law enforcement sweep by federal and state authorities. According to the complaint, Lanier Law operated under multiple names including Surety Law Group, Redstone Law Group, Fortress Law Group, and Liberty & Trust Law Group of Florida. The defendants were barred from the debt relief business in 2016 following an FTC action, and one of the scheme’s owners, Michael W. Lanier, was disbarred.