The Department of Banking and Finance in Georgia recently ordered Lighthouse Services to cease and desist from operating in the state’s mortgage industry. The department was right to do so, as the Orange County, CA-based business is unlicensed. The problem is that the unrelated legitimate Orange County mortgage firm, Lighthouse Real Estate Solutions (LRES), is now caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Since the cease and desist on Lighthouse Services, aka US Foreclosure Relief Corporation, was engaged on March 5, the law-abiding LRES reports numerous inquires from clients into their business practices in the state of Georgia. “It is not unusual to see name similarities with companies, especially in the mortgage field,” says Rod Carnes, the deputy commissioner for the non-depository financial institutions division in Georgia who issued the cease and desist on behalf the state’s Department of Banking and Finance. “[This case] not unusual as ‘Lighthouse’ is used by many entities in the state, however LRES is licensed, whereas US Foreclosure Relief Corporation, dba Lighthouse Services, would take around $3,000 up front with the promise to aid already struggling homeowners.” “They would take that money and do nothing, not even a loan modification,” Carnes said. Roger Beane, CEO of LRES strongly reiterates to clients that the company, U. S. Foreclosure Relief Corporation, dba Lighthouse Services and LRES are not affiliated in any manner.  “LRES Corp. has been assisting the mortgage and financial industries with mortgage default services since 2001.  Our clients are loan servicers and other financial institutions and our business model does not include the solicitation of fees from homeowners nor do we offer financing or other mortgage brokerage services of any kind” says Beane. Carnes added that a search of the state’s website: www.gadbf.org would have revealed to borrowers that LRES “has gone through the proper steps” to do business in Georgia, whereas Lighthouse Services would not have been listed. That has changed, of course, now that Lighthouse Services is under administrative action in the state of Georgia. Write to Jacob Gaffney at jacob.gaffney@housingwire.com.

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