Buyer beware—Consumers some times think they are buying health insurance when in fact they are being sold a medical discount plan. They are not the same thing...

Idaho Legal Aid Services Fair Lending: Predatory Lending Abuses Brochure.

What is a manufactured home?

A manufactured home is a structure formerly known as a mobile home. It is built to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety standards set by HUD and displays a red certification label on the outside of each transportable section. The certification is available only to those homes manufactured after June 15, 1976, when the standards were implemented
and cannot be received for any constructed prior to this date.

The structure is built in a manufacturing plant and transported in one or more sections on a permanent chassis. In the State of Idaho, manufactured housing constitutes real property if the running gear is removed and (1) it becomes permanently attached
to a foundation, and (2) the owner records, with the county recorder’s office in the county where the home is located, a  statement of intent to declare it as real property. (Idaho Code § 63-304.)

The structure must be transportable in one or more sections which, when in traveling mode, is at least 8 feet wide and at least 40 feet long, or when put together is at least 320 square feet and which is built on a permanent chassis and intended to be used as a dwelling with or without a foundation. (Idaho Code § 28-9-102 (53).

The Fair Housing Act and Fair Lending Act apply to manufactured housing the same as they apply to apartments and more traditional homes. More information regarding these statutes is available at www.idaholegalaid.org.

Lenders can not discriminate on the types of loans available to help finance the purchase of a manufactured home based on any of the protected classes, including: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status (the presence or number of children in a household) or disability.

Manufactured housing standards are created and enforced by HUD. HUD provides two types of consumer protection. The borrower must sign a HUD Placement Certificate agreeing that the home has been installed and set-up to their satisfaction by the retailer before the lender can give the loan proceeds to the retailer. After moving in, the borrower can call HUD at (800) 927-2891 to get assistance about the problems with construction of the home.

Financing Options

There are several alternatives to financing a manufactured home.

• The most common method is through a retail installment contract through the retailer.
• Government insured loans:
  • Fair Housing Administration (Title I & II)
  • Veterans Administration
  • Rural Housing Services under the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Private lending institutions may also have loans available if the home does not qualify for other loans.

What can I do ?

The following are resources you may contact for questions and information regarding housing discrimination:

• Consumers, realtors, housing providers, and lenders may contact the Fair Lending/Fair Housing Legal Advice Line by calling Idaho Legal Aid Services, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m., M.T., (208) 345 0106 in Boise calling area, or statewide toll-free 1-866-345-0106, or (TTY) 1-800-245-7573.

• En Español llamada gratis estatal, 1-866-945-2591 o 454-2591 en el área local de llamadas en Caldwell.

• Idaho Legal Aid Services Inc. (ILAS)
  1447 S. Tyrell Lane, Boise, ID 83706
  208-345-0106 in Boise
  1-866-345-0106 (toll-free)
  www.idaholegalaid.org

• Visit the Idaho Legal Aid Services website (above) for fair lending and fair housing information and materials.

• Intermountain Fair Housing Council
  (208) 383-0695 in Boise –or-
  1-800-717-0695 (toll-free)

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
  Seattle and Washington DC
  1-800-669-9777
  1-800-927-9275 (TDD) or

• FHEO Hub Office
  909 1st Ave, Ste 205, 0AE
  Seattle, WA 98104
  (800) 877-0246 or (206) 220-5170
  TDD: (206) 220-5185
  FAX: (206) 220-5447

If you wish to file a complaint against a lender you may do so by calling HUD at the number above or by filling out an online
form found at:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_discrimination

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under a grant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, urges you
to be skeptical of mail and phone calls warning that the warranty on your car is about to expire.

The companies behind the mail and calls may give the impression they represent your car dealer
or manufacturer. With phrases like Motor Vehicle Notification, Final Warranty Notice or Notice of
Interruption, they are trying to make the offer seem urgent — and to get you to call a toll-free number
for more information.

For more information, please click the link below.

At times we find ourselves in a difficult situation involving our bank, a large business, etc. and don’t know what to do. Calling customer service hasn’t led to any real results so you may be asking yourself what to do next?

Below you will find a number of institutions both governmental and private that specialize in helping you to file a complaint. These institutions are similar to leaving a review on Google or Yelp except they work resolve the issue. As such, they are not places for a person to rant and rave about how terrible the service at a restaurant was, but rather to help a person that was a victim of a shady business, or to get help when a financial institution (like a bank) has mistreated someone. They are not law enforcement agencies imposing a punishment onto these businesses, but rather helping to add authority to your complaint. If your issue cannot be solved after submitting a complaint through one or more of these resources, it is recommended to seek legal help from a private attorney.

Review the document below for links to the agencies that may be able to help if you submit a complaint. These agencies include: 

1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

2. Help with my Bank

3. Federal Trade Commission Complaint

4. Idaho Attorney General Consumer Protection Complaint

5. Better Business Bureau Complaint

"Slamming" describes the practice of changing a consumer=s local or long distance company without the consumer's knowledge or consent.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules that require a consumer's approval before a long distance carrier can be changed.

Idaho is one of several states that have laws prohibiting slamming. Unfortunately, some telephone companies use deceptive and misleading telemarketing techniques designed to trick people into giving authorization to switch telephone companies.

For information, please see the attachment below.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has created a guide on how to recognize and protect yourself from mortgage rescue scams. Please see the attached for more information. 

Pyramid schemes are among the oldest and most common consumer scams. While pyramid schemes may be disguised as “gift” programs or “networking” plans, they have certain things in common. Pyramids are illegal. Pyramids will fail. People will lose money.

For information, click on the guides below in English and Spanish/Espanol.

The Center for Responsible Lending has created a list of five "Signs of Predatory Auto Finance Loans" that you may view below or view on their webpage: https://www.responsiblelending.org/issues/signs-predatory-auto-finance.

Signs of Predatory Auto Finance Loans

Don't get into car trouble: Learn to spot predatory auto finance loans.

Sign 1 - Dealer Kickbacks

A car buyer initially qualifies for a lower interest rate or “buy rate.” The lender willing to fund the loan for the buyer allows the dealer to increase the “buy rate” at the dealer’s discretion. The dealer has a powerful incentive to increase the interest rate, as most of the extra interest is “kicked back” to the dealer.

Sign 2 - Loans Packed With Junk Fees

Dealers inflate the overall price of the car loan through overpriced add-on products – often sold in packages –including “GAP” insurance, vehicle service contracts, credit life and disability insurance, rust proofing, theft deterrent packages, and “window etching.” By inflating vehicle cost and loan size, the potential loan kickback for the dealer is increased.

Sign 3 - “Yo-yo” Sales

The buyer is either convinced to enter into or unwittingly placed in a conditional sale agreement rather than a final sale. After the buyer drives the vehicle home, the dealer later claims to be unable to fund the loan at the agreed-upon terms. The buyer is required to return the car and renegotiate an often more costly loan. Often, the buyer is told that their down payment is non-refundable and/or their trade-in has already been sold.

Sign 4 - Buy Here - Pay Here

Buy Here Pay Here (BHPH) dealerships typically finance used auto loans in-house to borrowers with no or poor credit histories. The average APR is much higher than a bank or credit union loan. BHPH dealers expect much higher default and repossession rates. Instead of responsibly financing affordable cars, the business model depends on churning the same vehicles (many would be classified as “lemons”) to local buyers as many times as possible.

Dealers usually require a disproportionate percentage of the car’s actual value for downpayment and pack the loan with unnecessary fees to make more money up front.

Sign 5 - No Option For Justice In Court

“Mandatory arbitration” clauses essentially waive the customer’s right to sue and appeal in court. In simple terms this means that if you have a valid complaint with a car dealer, you won’t be allowed to take action through a court of law. Instead, companies require their customers to pursue complaints through an arbitrator—a process that is more likely to favor the dealer.

The Center for Responsible Lending has created the following "8 Signs of Predatory Mortgage Lending", which you may find below or on their website: https://www.responsiblelending.org/issues/8-signs-predatory-mortgage. 

Eight Signs of Predatory Mortgage Lending

Sign 1 - Big Fees

"Points" or "discount points" are the lender's fee for making the loan. Generally, a charge of three points—3% or less of the loan amount—is a good deal, including such necessities as an appraisal and title insurance. Get your credit score in advance and research typical fees in your area.

Sign 2 - Penalties For Paying Off Early

A "prepayment penalty" requires you to pay a steep fee before refinancing. The penalty period can last several years and cost thousands of dollars.

Sign 3 - Inflated Interest Rates From Brokers

Brokers can make more money if they boost the interest rate above the lender's actual charge. Ask if your broker will be paid a "yield-spread premium" – a financial reward lenders pay for inflated interest rates.

Sign 4 - Steering And Targeting

Predatory lenders often target senior citizens and people of color to place them in unnecessarily expensive loans. Don't respond to ads that say bad credit doesn't matter, and be especially wary of lenders or brokers who contact you or those who try to rush you into decisions.

Sign 5 - Adjustable Interest Rates That "Explode"

Beware of adjustable-rate loans that can rise significantly, especially if it isn't possible for the interest rate to go lower, only higher. Make sure you understand the worst-case scenario for future payments. And don't count on a future refinance to rescue you from an unaffordable loan.

Sign 6 - Promises To Fix Problems With Future Refinances

Predatory lenders are notorious for selling bad deals by promising that they will refinance the loan later. If a loan stretches you too much now or in the future, just say no.

Sign 7 - Repeated Refinances That Drain You

Repeated refinances—"flipping"—mean you lose more money in points and fees every time. Don't be tempted by a bit of cash when you might end up owing even more on your house, losing valuable equity, and paying more than necessary.

Sign 8 - Not Counting Taxes And Insurance

Know in advance whether your monthly mortgage payment will include the costs of property taxes and insurance (i.e., whether the lender has established an escrow account for these costs). Unscrupulous lenders make house payments seem artificially low by not counting all costs—which you will be required to pay.

If you’re looking for a job, you may see ads for firms that promise results. Unfortunately, some firms may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings, or charge high fees in advance for
services that may not lead to a job....

Those desperate to find work can sometimes fall victim to job placement and work-at-home
scams. /// Tips On Avoiding Employment Scams