, and they earn less if the loan is modified, which frequently involves lowering the interest rate or taking other steps to reduce monthly mortgage payments.
An analysis by the Associated Press shows that of the 38 servicers that are being paid by the government as part of the federal loan modification program, 30 are facing lawsuits for charging illegally high fees, prematurely foreclosing on homes and engaging in illegal collection practices. These are violations of laws protecting homeowners in foreclosure and laws that prevent credit reporting and debt collection abuses. Fourteen of these companies have suits against them for misleading homeowners about their eligibility for the loan mod.