Last week, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray filed a lawsuit against Barclays Capital Real Estate dba HomEq Servicing, headquartered in New York, for issuing unfair loan modification agreements and providing inadequate, incompetent customer service to Ohioans who were at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. HomEq is a participant in the federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).

This is the third such lawsuit Cordray has filed against loan servicers since July; Ohio is the first state in the nation to sue a mortgage servicer for mistreating Ohioans. The other lawsuits were filed against Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC and American Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc.

Recently, Attorney General Cordray also wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner asking that Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds be used to support housing counselors and to provide short-term rescue funds to help homeowners.

To file a complaint against a mortgage servicer, contact the Ohio Attorney General at www.SpeakOutOhio.gov or call (800) 282-0515. For assistance with loan modifications or help in a foreclosure situation, contact Save the Dream at (888) 404-4674 or www.SaveTheDream.ohio.gov.