Cicero company sued for consumer fraud targeting Latino community

A lawsuit filed Monday by Attorney General Lisa Madigan alleges that a Cicero company and its owner operated a mortgage rescue and consumer fraud scheme.

Carrey Services, Inc. and its president Reynaldo Rojas are being sued for illegally charging consumers $20,000 in upfront fees that resulted in minimal or no help to stay in their homes, according to a statement from the Illinois Attorney General.

The company targeted the Latino community with loan modification services in Spanish-language newspapers, the suit claims. Rojas met with homeowners and had them sign various loan modification documents, which were written in English even though most of the victims were Spanish-speaking, and never provided them with copies, according to the statement.

Rojas also charged upfront fees that were over the amount allowed under state law. He then refused to provide refunds after “failing to do any work,” according to the statement.

The lawsuit seeks to shut down the business and obtain restitution for consumers.

“Financially strapped homeowners are the most vulnerable to mortgage ‘rescue’ schemes,” Attorney General Lisa Madigan said in the statement. “In most cases, the only thing these so-called businesses accomplish is taking money from already struggling homeowners.”

Homeowners should contact the Attorney General’s HomeownerHelpline at (866) 544-7151 for guidance on avoiding foreclosure, or seek help from a HUD-certified housing counselor to work out a solution with their lenders.