The scheme used at least five additional business names: Academy Home Services, Amstar Service Group, Atlantic Pacific Service Group, Home Relief Service of America, and Westwood Advocates. Defendants misrepresented their services as connected to government mortgage relief or COVID-19 relief programs to lure homeowners into paying advance fees for services never delivered.
Attorneys should note that the FTC is reminding recipients to cash checks within 90 days and to disregard any requests for payment or account information to claim the money. Homeowners receiving unexpected checks from this settlement should verify their legitimacy through the FTC's official channels before taking any action.