Green Tree Settlement Order
Green Tree Settlement Order
Green Tree Settlement Order
(Defendant or Green Tree) waived service of the summons and the Complaint. The
Commission, Bureau, and the Defendant stipulate to entry of this Order for Permanent
Injunction and Monetary Judgment (Order).
THEREFORE, it is ORDERED as follows:
FINDINGS
1.
2.
The Complaint alleges a claim upon which relief may be granted under
Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a); Sections 1031(a) and 1036(a)(1) of the
CFPA, 12 U.S.C. 5531(a) and 5536(a)(1); the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
(FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. 1692-1692p; the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15
U.S.C. 1681-1681x; and Section 6 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, 12
U.S.C. 2605, and its implementing regulation, Regulation X, 12 C.F.R. part 1024
(formerly codified at 24 C.F.R. part 3500) (collectively RESPA).
3.
For purposes of this settlement, Defendant neither admits nor denies any of
the allegations in the Complaint, except as specifically stated in this Order. Only for
purposes of this action, Defendant admits the facts necessary to establish jurisdiction.
4.
All parties waive all rights to appeal or otherwise challenge or contest the
validity of this Order. Defendant further waives and releases any claim it may have
against the Commission or the Bureau, and their employees, representatives, or agents.
5.
Defendant waives any claim that it may have under the Equal Access to
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Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. 2412, concerning the prosecution of this action through the date
of this Order, and agrees to bear its own costs and attorney fees.
6.
The Plaintiffs and Defendant, by and through their counsel, have agreed
that entry of this Order resolves all matters in dispute between them arising from the facts
and circumstances alleged in the Complaint in this action that have taken place as of the
Effective Date, except that the Bureau specifically reserves and does not release any
liability arising under any provision of the Bureaus rules relating to mortgage servicing
(12 C.F.R. 1024.30, et seq.) as of January 10, 2014.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Order, the following definitions shall apply:
1.
directly or indirectly, debts owed or due or asserted to be owed or due, for which
consumers are currently in default, as default is defined in the loan agreement or
applicable document creating the debt obligation.
2.
money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or services
which are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household
purposes, whether or not such obligation has been reduced to judgment.
3.
successors and assigns. For purposes of this definition, an assign means a person who
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purchases all or substantially all of the assets of Green Tree Servicing LLC or of Green
Tree Servicing LLCs division(s) or major business unit(s) that are engaged as a primary
business in customer-facing servicing of residential mortgage loans.
4.
5.
Grace period means the period between the date when a loan payment is
due and the date when Green Tree is permitted to assess a late fee under the related loan
documents.
6.
modification offered by a servicer that was either accepted by the borrower or for which
the time for the borrower to accept the offer has not expired and the offer has not been
rejected, but is not finalized as a permanent modification before servicing rights on the
loan are transferred to another entity. It includes trial modifications in which the prior
servicer agreed to modify the loan payment terms unless Defendant has clear written
evidence that the borrower has failed to perform under the trial loan modification terms.
It also includes modifications in which the consumer completed making the trial
payments before the loan was transferred to Defendant, but the permanent modification
was not input into the prior servicers system before the transfer.
7.
debt in the amount asserted or to assess a borrowers notice of error or qualified written
request. The information Defendant shall assess in an investigation, where applicable to
the dispute, shall include but not be limited to:
(a)
(b)
(c)
on the debt, such as servicing notes and payment history from the
immediately preceding two years; and
(d)
8.
breach of, or default under, its servicing agreement for loss mitigation related-servicing
performance deficiencies, or is in receivership, and is required to transfer servicing to
another servicer in thirty (30) days or less by an unaffiliated investor, or a court or
regulator with jurisdiction.
9.
and in-process loan modifications, forbearance plans, short sales, deed-in-lieu agreements
and any other non-foreclosure home retention or non-retention option offered by the
owner or assignee of a mortgage loan that is made available to the consumer through a
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Portfolio means a group of loans for which the mortgage servicing rights
are transferred to or from Defendant pursuant to a single contract for the sale or transfer
of mortgage servicing rights.
11.
consumers account pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement, such as payments of
principal, interest, taxes, and fees; administering loan accounts; receiving and processing
data and documentation for loan accounts transferred from prior servicers; making loanrelated communications; responding to borrower notices asserting an error and qualified
written requests; providing periodic billing statements to consumers; maintaining records
of the status of consumers loan accounts; providing information to and resolving
disputes with consumers regarding loan accounts; disbursing payments from consumers
escrow accounts; providing loss mitigation, including but not limited to loan
modifications and short sales; pursuing foreclosure; repossessing property; filing
bankruptcy claims; calculating deficiency judgments; using consumer reports and
furnishing information to consumer reporting agencies; and collecting or assessing fees in
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Transfer, as it appears in Sections IV, V, and VII of this Order, means the
IT IS ORDERED that:
A.
Defendant in the amount of Forty Eight Million Dollars ($48,000,000) total as follows:
1.
2.
B.
Within ten (10) days of entry of this order, Defendant is ordered to pay to
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the Bureau $48,000,000 dollars in full satisfaction of the judgment in favor of the
Commission and the Bureau as set forth in Paragraphs A.1 and A.2 of this Section. Such
payment shall be made by wire transfer to the Bureau or to such agent as the Bureau may
direct, and in accordance with wiring instructions to be provided by counsel for the
Bureau.
C.
All money paid to the Bureau pursuant to this Section shall be deposited
into a fund or funds administered by the Bureau or its agent in accordance with
applicable statutes and regulations to be used for consumer redress, including but not
limited to refund of moneys, restitution, or other monetary relief, and for any attendant
expenses for the administration of such redress.
D.
way or prevent Defendant from asserting in a related consumer action that a consumer
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should not recover for any amounts paid under this Order.
F.
In light of the monetary relief to be paid to the Bureau, and to avoid double
payment, the FTC is subrogating its claim for equitable monetary relief to the Bureaus
claim.
II.
A.
alleged violations of law in the Complaint, and taking into account the factors set forth in
12 U.S.C. 5565(c)(3), Defendant shall pay a civil money penalty of Fifteen Million
Dollars ($15,000,000) to the Bureau, as directed by the Bureau and as set forth herein.
B.
Within ten days of the Effective Date, Defendant shall pay the civil money
penalty in the form of a wire transfer to the Bureau or to such agent as the Bureau may
direct, and in accordance with wiring instructions to be provided by counsel for the
Bureau.
C.
The civil money penalty paid under this Order shall be deposited in the
Civil Penalty Fund of the Bureau in accordance with Section 1017(d) of the CFPA, 12
U.S.C. 5497(d).
D.
Defendant shall treat the civil money penalty as a penalty paid to the
government for all purposes. Regardless of how the Bureau ultimately uses those funds,
Defendant shall not:
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1.
Claim, assert, or apply for a tax deduction or tax credit with regard
to any federal, state, or local tax for any civil money penalty that
Defendant pays under this Order; or
2.
E.
To preserve the deterrent effect of the civil money penalty, in any related
consumer action, Defendant shall not argue that Defendant is entitled to, nor shall
Defendant benefit by, any offset or reduction of any monetary remedies imposed in the
related consumer action, because of the civil money penalty paid in this action (Penalty
Offset). If the court in any related consumer action grants such a Penalty Offset,
Defendant shall, within 30 days after entry of a final order granting the Penalty Offset,
notify the Bureau, and pay the amount of the Penalty Offset to the U.S. Treasury. Such a
payment shall not be deemed an additional civil money penalty and shall not be deemed
to change the amount of the civil money penalty imposed in this action.
F.
In light of the monetary relief to be paid to the Bureau, and to avoid double
payment, the FTC is subrogating its claim for civil penalties to the Bureaus claim.
III.
A.
under this Order, interest, computed pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1961, as amended, shall
accrue on any outstanding amounts not paid from the date of default to the date of
payment, and shall immediately become due and payable.
B.
Defendant relinquishes all dominion, control, and all legal and equitable
right, title, and interest to the funds paid to the fullest extent permitted by law and no part
of the funds shall be returned to Defendant.
C.
The facts alleged in the Complaint will be taken as true, without further
Defendant previously submitted to the Commission or Bureau, may be used for collecting
and reporting on any delinquent amount arising out of this Order, in accordance with 31
U.S.C. 7701.
F.
For a period of three (3) years from the Effective Date, within thirty (30)
days of the entry of a final judgment, consent order, or settlement in a related consumer
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action, Defendant shall notify the Bureau Enforcement Director of the final judgment,
consent order, or settlement in writing. That notification shall indicate the amount of
redress, if any, that Defendant paid or is required to pay to consumers and should
describe the consumers or classes of consumers to whom that redress has been or will be
paid.
IV.
account has unpaid balances, payment due dates, interest rates, monthly payment
amounts, delinquency statuses, unpaid fees, or other amounts due, unless, at the time of
making the representation, Defendant can substantiate such a representation, including
but not limited to situations in which:
1.
3.
B.
claim that the consumer owes a debt or owes a debt in the amount asserted to: (i) provide
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the consumer orally and contemporaneously with instructions for submitting the dispute
in writing; and (ii) within 14 days of the consumer disputing Defendants claim, provide
the consumer clear and conspicuous written instructions on how to submit the dispute in
writing; and
C.
writing, the Defendants claim that the consumer owes the debt or owes the debt in the
amount asserted, to:
1.
2.
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ii.
That the consumer does not owe the debt or the debt
cannot be verified, Defendant shall, within five (5)
days of reaching its conclusion: (a) inform the
consumer of its conclusion and the basis for it; (b)
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That the consumer does owe the debt but not in the
amount that Defendant asserted, Defendant shall,
within five (5) days of reaching its conclusion: (a)
inform the consumer of its conclusion and the basis for
it; and (b) provide to each consumer reporting agency
to which the debt has been reported any correction to
the reported information that is necessary to make the
information provided by Defendant accurate, after
which it may continue collection.
Provided that, if the consumer initiates contact with Defendant by any means,
Defendant may respond to the consumer prior to the completion of the investigation.
Provided further that the limitations on transfer in Subsections IV.C.2.a and
IV.C.2.c.ii shall not apply when the transfer is between owners of the right to perform
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servicing who do not perform the servicing and there is no change in the subservicer.
Provided further that, nothing in this Section IV prohibits Defendant from
requiring consumers who deny, dispute, or challenge a debt on the grounds of fraud or
identity theft to do so in writing, so long as Defendant clearly and conspicuously
discloses these requirements. Once Defendant receives an identity theft report, the
requirements of 623(a)(6)(B) of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(a)(6)(B), apply.
V.
B.
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C.
integrity, and completeness of loan servicing data that could result in material errors to
consumers accounts and assessment of the sufficiency of any safeguards in place to
control these risks. At a minimum, this risk assessment shall consider risks in each
relevant area of operation, including, but not limited to (1) employee training and
management, (2) information systems, including network and software design, servicing
transfer protocols, information processing, storage, transmission, and disposal, and (3)
prevention, detection, and response to any systems failure;
D.
servicing rights. Specifically, prior to receiving the transfer of mortgage servicing rights,
Defendant shall conduct due diligence to understand and implement steps necessary to
resolve issues with the type of loan level information and documentation in the
transferors possession and control, the transferors ability to transfer the information
electronically, in images, or only in paper records, material gaps in the transferors
records, and Defendants ability to promptly process the information to be provided by
the transferor, and otherwise ensure that Defendant will be able to comply with its
servicing obligations with respect to every loan transferred. Defendant shall seek
assurance that the transferor will transfer all material loan level information in its
possession or control at or before the time of transfer.
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E.
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b.
4.
Ongoing Testing. Within 180 days of the Effective Date, and every
six months thereafter, Defendant shall identify any portfolios
serviced by Defendant for which, in the immediately preceding six
months, consumers representing more than 2% of the relevant
portfolio have disputed in writing the accuracy of the information in
the Tested Data Fields. In the event any such portfolios exist,
Defendant shall determine whether there exist any systemic issues
giving rise to the disputes about errors in the accuracy of the Tested
Data Fields in the portfolio and, if any errors are found, Defendant
shall develop and implement a plan to correct the errors. Provided
that, when a consumer orally denies, disputes, or challenges the
accuracy of the information contained in a Tested Data Field,
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risks identified through risk assessment, and regular auditing or testing or monitoring of
the effectiveness of the safeguards key controls, system, and procedures;
G.
Program using statistically valid samples, such that the samples include both random and
risk-based selection criteria and the results from the samples can be reliably extrapolated
to the Program as a whole; and
H.
The evaluation and adjustment of the Program in light of the results of the
process, or data and other information about accounts that Defendant services, collects, or
sells.
Provided that, in the event of a conflict between this Section V and the
requirements of federal, state, or local laws or the standard provisions imposed on
servicers by the Department of Treasury, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, the
Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Rural Housing
Administration, and any other similar organization that may come into existence after the
entry of this Order such that Defendant cannot comply with this Section V without
violating these requirements, Defendant shall document such conflicts and notify the
Commission and the Bureau that it intends to comply with the requirements to the extent
necessary to eliminate the conflict.
Provided further that, in the event of an involuntary transfer to Defendant which
results in a delay in the transferors transfer of relevant information or a volume of errors
in the transferors data that prevents Defendant from being able to comply with the time
limits in this Section, Defendant shall submit a written plan to the Bureau and the
Commission within ten (10) days after the date of the transfer identifying the cause of the
delay and setting forth the specific steps it is taking, the resources it is devoting, and
Defendants expected timeline for complying with the requirements of this Section. If
such plan is not objected to by the Bureau or the Commission within ten (10) days of
submission of the plan, Defendant must proceed to implement the plan. If the Bureau or
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the Commission objects to the plan within ten (10) days of submission, Defendant will
make reasonable efforts to amend the plan to address any objection. Defendant shall not
take more than 120 days from the date of the transfer to satisfy the requirements of this
Section.
VI.
ASSESSMENT
Defendant shall, within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the
implementation of the Data Integrity Program required by Section V of this Order, and
biennially thereafter for eight (8) years after entry of this Order, obtain an assessment and
report (Assessment) from a qualified, objective, independent, third-party professional,
the identity of which is agreed to by a representative of the Commission and a
representative of the Bureau, that, using procedures and standards generally accepted in
the profession:
1.
Sets forth the specific data integrity program that Defendant has
implemented and maintained during the reporting period;
2.
3.
4.
Certifies that to the best of the certifiers knowledge and belief the
data integrity program is operating with sufficient effectiveness to
provide reasonable assurance of the material accuracy, integrity, and
completeness of Defendants records.
B.
within ten (10) days after the Assessment is delivered to Defendant. Defendant shall,
within thirty (30) days of a request, provide the Commission with a copy of all plans,
reports, studies, reviews, audits, audit trails, policies, training materials, and assessments,
whether prepared by or on behalf of Defendant, relied upon to prepare such Assessment.
All subsequent biennial Assessments shall be retained by Defendant and a copy provided
to the Commission within thirty (30) days of request. The Commission will provide to
the Bureau a copy of all Assessments and any other materials produced pursuant to this
Section VI of this Order.
VII.
b.
c.
2.
b.
4.
requirements:
a.
b.
c.
receipt of a short sale application. If the short sale application is incomplete, Defendant
must include in this written confirmation a list of any missing documents required to
complete the short sale application; and
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C.
communicate a decision to the consumer prior to the date of a foreclosure sale (provided
that Defendant receives the completed short sale application more than 14 days before the
foreclosure sale) or within thirty (30) days after receipt of a complete short sale
application, whichever is earlier, except that Defendant may have an additional fifteen
(15) days to communicate its decision to the borrower when waiting to receive required
information from third parties, provided Defendant promptly updates the borrower with
the reason for this delay in writing.
Other Loss Mitigation Requirements
D.
Failing, within ninety (90) days after entry of this Order, to make
Failing, within ninety (90) days after the date of entry of this Order, to
maintain sufficient personnel that are adequately trained to handle loss mitigation
requests in a timely and legal manner;
F.
Failing, within ninety (90) days after the date of entry of this Order, to
implement and maintain a centralized document management system for tracking and
storing incoming loss mitigation documents, including those submitted by consumers,
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staffed with sufficient personnel that are adequately trained to prevent significant
backlogs and lost documents;
G.
Failing, within ninety (90) days after the date of entry of this Order, to
implement and maintain an online portal linked to Defendants primary servicing system
where consumers can check, at no cost, the status of their loss mitigation requests. The
portal must, among other things:
1.
2.
3.
H.
Failing, within ninety (90) days after the date of entry of this Order, to take
reasonable steps to ensure that personnel assigned to consumers pursuant to the Bureaus
rules relating to continuity of contact (12 C.F.R. 1024.40):
1.
2.
3.
Provided that, in the event of a conflict between this Section VII and the
requirements of federal, state, or local laws or the standard provisions imposed on
servicers by the Department of Treasury, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, the
Federal Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Rural Housing
Administration, and any other similar organization that may come into existence after the
entry of this Order such that Defendant cannot comply with this Section VII without
violating these requirements, Defendant shall document such conflicts and notify the
Commission and the Bureau that it intends to comply with the requirements to the extent
necessary to eliminate the conflict.
Provided further that, in the event of an involuntary transfer to Defendant which
results in a delay of the transferors transfer of relevant information and prevents
Defendant from being able to comply with the time limits in Section VII.A, Defendant
shall submit a written plan to the Bureau and the Commission, within ten (10) days after
the date of the transfer, identifying the cause of the delay and setting forth the specific
steps it is taking, the resources it is devoting, and Defendants expected timeline for
complying with the requirements of Section VII.A. If such plan is not objected to by the
Bureau or the Commission within ten (10) days of submission of the plan, Defendant
must proceed to implement the plan. If the Bureau or the Commission objects to the plan
within ten (10) days of submission, Defendant will make reasonable efforts to amend the
plan to address any objection. In no event shall Defendants fail to honor loss mitigation
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agreements entered into by the prior servicer, fail to continue processing pending loss
mitigation requests received in the transfer, or take more than 60 days from the date of
the transfer to satisfy the requirements of Section VII.A.
VIII. HOME PRESERVATION REQUIREMENT
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant shall, no later than sixty (60) days
after the date of entry of this Order, establish and implement a home preservation plan
(Plan) to identify and review Affected Consumers for loss mitigation options, provide
for the solicitation and fast-track evaluation of loss mitigation applications, and stop
pending foreclosure sales for such consumers to the extent necessary to permit the
consumers to be solicited and considered for loss mitigation. The Plan shall remain in
effect for a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date. Affected Consumers are
consumers with first- or second-lien residential loans that were transferred to Defendant
between January 1, 2010 and November 2014 and as of the Effective Date (1) are 45 or
more days delinquent or have been referred to foreclosure, but are more than 37 days
before a foreclosure sale, or (2) are serviced by Defendant and become eligible for
referral to foreclosure at any point from the Effective Date until five years from the
Effective Date, provided that Defendant still services the loan at that time.
A.
trial period and received all necessary investor approvals but for which the consumer did
not previously enter a permanent modification agreement. Such consumers shall be
converted to a permanent modification upon execution of the permanent modification
documents, consistent with applicable program and investor guidelines.
B.
For all Affected Consumers not accounted for in Paragraph A above, Defendant must:
1.
2.
D.
Defendant may resume foreclosure sales for Affected Consumers under any
of the following conditions:
1.
3.
E.
The requirements of this subsection VIII shall not apply to any loan (1) for
which Defendant does not own the right to service or sub-service as of the Effective
Date; or (2) that is not subject to foreclosure or collection activity because it has been
charged off.
Provided that, in the event of a conflict between this Section VIII and the
requirements of federal, state, or local laws, the standard provisions imposed on servicers
by the Department of Treasury, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae, the Federal
Housing Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Rural Housing
Administration, and any other similar organization that may come into existence after the
entry of this Order, the National Mortgage Settlement, or applicable investor guidelines
such that Defendant cannot comply with this Section VIII without violating these
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requirements, Defendant shall document such conflicts and notify the Commission and
the Bureau that it intends to comply with these requirements to the extent possible.
Provided further that, nothing in this Section VIII shall be interpreted to (1) limit
or restrict in any way the protections provided to borrowers under the Bureaus rules
relating to loss mitigation (12 C.F.R. 1024.41, et seq.), or to (2) require Defendant to
communicate with a borrower in a manner otherwise prohibited by applicable law,
including bankruptcy law or the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or any similar
debt-collection-related state law. To the extent any provision of this Section VIII is in
conflict with any provision of 12 C.F.R. 1024.41, 12 C.F.R. 1024.41 shall apply.
IX.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
B.
2.
X.
When communicating with any person other than the consumer for the
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2.
Communicating more than once with any such person unless the
person requests that the Defendant communicate with him or her
again or Defendant has a reasonable belief that the persons denial of
knowledge of the consumer or the consumers location in response
to Defendants first location communication was erroneous or
incomplete and the person now has correct or complete location
information;
3.
4.
compliance with Section 804 of the FDCPA, 15 U.S.C. 1692b, with any person other
than the consumer, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the
creditor, the attorney of the creditor, the attorney of the debt collector, the consumers
spouse, the consumers parent (if the consumer is a minor), the consumers guardian, the
consumers executor, the consumers administrator, or the consumers attorney, in
connection with collecting on past-due debt, unless Defendant has the prior consent of the
consumer given directly to Defendant or the express permission of a court of competent
jurisdiction, or Defendant can show that such communication is reasonably necessary to
effectuate a post-judgment judicial remedy;
C.
3.
Failing to create and maintain (for at least five years from the date of
last contact with the consumer) records documenting that a
consumer has informed Defendant, either orally or in writing, that it
is inconvenient for the consumer to receive calls at a particular time
or place, or that the consumer is prohibited from receiving calls from
Defendant at the consumers place of employment;
D.
or abuse a person, including, but not limited to: (1) the use of obscene or profane
language or language the natural consequence of which is to abuse the hearer or reader;
or (2) causing a telephone to ring, or engaging a person in telephone conversation,
repeatedly or continuously with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass the person at the
called number. Provided that, for purposes of this Section XI.D, there shall exist a
rebuttable presumption of an intent to annoy, harass, or abuse if Defendant places more
than one call to any person about a debt after that person has notified Defendant in
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writing that the person refuses to pay such debt or that the person wishes Defendant to
cease further communication with the person; except that Defendant may communicate to
advise the person that further debt collection efforts are being terminated, that Defendant
may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by debt collectors and
creditors, or, where applicable, that Defendant intends to invoke a specified remedy.
Provided further that, after a borrower has sent Defendant a notification pursuant to
FDCPA section 805(c) nothing in this Section XI.D shall prevent Defendant from
providing the written notice required by 12 C.F.R. 1024.39(b) if loss mitigation options
are available. Provided further that, when a consumer orally requests that Defendant
cease further communication regarding a debt, Defendant shall (i) provide the consumer
orally and contemporaneously with instructions for submitting the request in writing; and
(ii) within 14 days of the consumer orally requesting that Defendant cease further
communication, provide the consumer clear and conspicuous written instructions on how
to submit the request in writing;
E.
F.
any debt, including but not limited to collecting any amount unless such amount is
expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law; and
G.
2.
B.
2.
3.
C.
D.
1681-1681x (a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment B), including, but not
limited to: (1) Section 623(a)(1), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(a)(1); (2) Section 623(a)(2), 15
U.S.C. 1681s-2(a)(2); and (3) Section 623(a)(3), 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(a)(3), in
connection with furnishing information about a consumer to a consumer reporting
agency.
XIII. INJUNCTION AGAINST UNLAWFUL REAL ESTATE
SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant, Defendants officers, agents, and
employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them, who
receive actual notice of this Order, whether acting directly or indirectly, in connection
with the servicing of any loan, are permanently restrained and enjoined from:
A.
information to a consumer reporting agency regarding any payment that is the subject of
a notice of error or qualified written request for sixty (60) days after receipt of the
qualified written request;
C.
casualty insurance, property taxes, and other charges with respect to the property, when
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CONSUMER INFORMATION
For a period of 5 years from the date of entry of this Order, Defendant,
whether acting directly or indirectly, shall on a quarterly basis make the following
disclosure in writing indicating clearly and conspicuously to consumers with past-due
debts serviced by Defendant:
Federal and state law prohibit certain methods of debt
collection, and require that we treat you fairly.
If you have a complaint about the way we are collecting this
debt, please write to our CONTACT CENTER, [current
physical address], email us at [current email address], or call
us toll-free at [current phone number] between 9:00 A.M. and
5:00 P.M. Central Time Monday - Friday.
The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau enforce the Fair Debt Collection Practices
Act. If you have a complaint about the way we are collecting
your debt, please contact the FTC or the CFPB. You can
reach the FTC online at www.ftc.gov/complaint; by phone at
1-877- FTC-HELP; or by mail at 600 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW, Washington, DC 20580. You can reach the CFPB
online at www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint; by phone at
1-855-411-2372; or by mail at Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau P.O. Box 4503, Iowa City, Iowa 52244.
The above disclosure shall be given in the language(s) that appear in such
communications sent to consumers. Defendant shall be responsible for sending the
initial, quarterly written notice in accordance with the requirement in this Section XVI.A
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thirty (30) days after entry of this Order, or, for loans acquired after entry of this Order,
within thirty (30) days of acquisition.
B.
Section XVI.A of this Order if Defendant provides a notice in a specific federal, state,
county, or city jurisdiction that (1) is required by the laws or regulations of that
jurisdiction, (2) complies with those laws or regulations, and (3) is substantially similar to
the notice required in Section XVI.A, above.
C.
(electronic or paper) copy of the following notice to all officers, agents, and employees
having responsibility with respect to collecting on past-due debts, within thirty (30) days
of the date of entry of this Order, and to each employee hired for a period of five (5)
years after that date, no later than the time the employee assumes responsibility with
respect to the collecting on past-due debts, and shall secure from each such person, within
forty-five (45) days of delivery, a signed and dated statement acknowledging that he or
she has read the notice.
Provided that, for purposes of compliance with Section XVI.C of this Order, the
signature required for the employees statement that he or she has read the notice may be
in the form of an electronic signature.
XVII. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS OF ORDER
AND RELEVANT STATUTES
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant obtain acknowledgments of receipt
of this Order and of the FDCPA, the FCRA, and RESPA, in their current codification or
as they may hereafter be amended:
A.
Defendant, within seven (7) days of entry of this Order, must submit to the
Commission and the Bureau an acknowledgment of receipt of this Order sworn under
penalty of perjury.
B.
For five (5) years after entry of this Order, Defendant must deliver a copy
of this Order and the FDCPA (attached hereto as Attachment A) to: (1) all principals,
officers, directors, and LLC managers and members; (2) all employees, agents, and
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representatives who participate in collecting on past-due debts; and (3) any business
entity resulting from any change in structure as set forth in the Section XVIII of this
Order. Delivery must occur within seven (7) days of entry of this Order for current
personnel. To all others, delivery must occur before they assume their responsibilities.
In addition, if the FDCPA is amended within five (5) years after entry of this Order,
Defendant must deliver an amended copy of the FDCPA to current personnel who
participate in collecting on past-due debts within thirty (30) days after it is amended.
C.
For five (5) years after entry of this Order, Defendant, must deliver a copy
of this Order and the FCRA (attached hereto as Attachment B) to: (1) all principals,
officers, directors, and LLC managers and members; (2) all employees, agents, and
representatives who participate in furnishing or reporting information relating to any
consumer to any consumer reporting agency; and (3) any business entity resulting from
any change in structure as set forth in the Section XVIII of this Order. Delivery must
occur within seven (7) days of entry of this Order for current personnel. To all others,
delivery must occur before they assume their responsibilities. In addition, if the FCRA is
amended within five (5) years after entry of this Order, Defendant must deliver an
amended copy of the FCRA to current personnel who participate in furnishing or
reporting information relating to consumers to any consumer reporting agency within
thirty (30) days after it is amended.
D.
For five (5) years after entry of this Order, Defendant, must deliver a copy
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of this Order and RESPA (attached hereto as Attachment C) to: (1) all principals,
officers, directors, and LLC managers and members; (2) all employees, agents, and
representatives who participate in paying property taxes, receiving or responding to
notices of error or qualified written requests, or furnishing or reporting information
relating to any consumer to any consumer reporting agency; and (3) any business entity
resulting from any change in structure as set forth in the Section XVIII of this Order.
Delivery must occur within seven (7) days of entry of this Order for current personnel.
To all others, delivery must occur before they assume their responsibilities. In addition,
if RESPA is amended within five (5) years after entry of this Order, Defendant must
deliver an amended copy of RESPA to current personnel who participate in paying
property taxes, receiving or responding to notices of error or qualified written requests, or
furnishing or reporting information relating to any consumer reporting agency within
thirty (30) days after it is amended.
E.
Order, Defendant must obtain, within thirty (30) days, a signed and dated
acknowledgment of receipt of this Order and of any additional materials received
pursuant to this Section of the Order, including copies of the FDCPA, FCRA, or RESPA.
XVIII.
COMPLIANCE REPORTING
A.
One (1) year after entry of this Order, Defendant must submit a compliance
Defendant must: (a) identify the primary physical, postal, and email
address and telephone number, as designated points of contact,
which representatives of the Commission and Bureau may use to
communicate with Defendant; (b) identify all of Defendants
businesses by all of their names, telephone numbers, and physical,
postal, email, and Internet addresses; (c) describe the activities of
each business, including the goods and services offered, the means
of advertising, marketing, and sales, and the involvement of any
other Defendant; (d) describe in detail whether and how Defendant
is in compliance with each Section of this Order; and (e) provide a
copy of each Order Acknowledgment obtained pursuant to this
Order, unless previously submitted to the Commission.
B.
For fifteen (15) years following entry of this Order, Defendant must submit
a compliance notice to the Commission, sworn under penalty of perjury, within 14 days
of any change in the following: (1) any designated point of contact; or (2) the structure of
Defendant or any entity that Defendant has any ownership interest in or directly or
indirectly controls that may affect compliance obligations arising under this Order,
including: creation, merger, sale, or dissolution of the entity or any subsidiary, parent, or
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affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this Order. The Commission will
provide a copy of such notice to the Bureau.
C.
under penalty of perjury must be true and accurate and comply with 28 U.S.C. 1746,
such as by concluding: I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United
States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on:_____ and
supplying the date, signatorys full name, title (if applicable), and signature.
E.
Compliance@cfpb.gov or sent by the U.S. Postal Service to: Assistant Director for
Enforcement, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, ATTENTION: Office of
Enforcement 1700 G Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20552. For overnight courier send
to: Assistant Director for Enforcement, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
ATTENTION: Office of Enforcement 1625 I Street, 4th Floor, NW, Washington, D.C.
20006. The subject line must begin: In re Green Tree Servicing, LLC, File No. XXXX
2014-CFPB-Docket # XXXX.
XIX. RECORDKEEPING
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant must create certain records for
fifteen (15) years after entry of the Order, and retain each such record for 5 years, unless
otherwise indicated. Specifically, Defendant must create and retain the following
records:
A.
accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America,
including records showing the revenues from all goods or services sold, all costs incurred
in generating those revenues, and the resulting net profit or loss;
B.
an employee or otherwise, that persons: name, addresses, and telephone numbers; job
title or position; dates of service; and, if applicable, the reason for termination;
C.
Consumer files containing the names, last known addresses and phone
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numbers as of the date Defendant ceased servicing activity, dollar amounts of debt owed,
when Defendant serviced the loan, records of Defendants collection activity, and
amounts collected by Defendant;
D.
Any complaint and the date received, and the nature of the complaint
as reflected in any notes, logs, or memoranda, including a
description of the conduct alleged; and
2.
E.
Copies of all scripts and other training materials related to the collection of
F.
debts;
telephone conversation for at least ninety (90) percent of all telephone calls between
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telephone conversation for at least ninety (90) percent of all calls in which consumers
consent to payment using Speedpay or any other payment method initiated by Defendant
in which a convenience fee is charged, provided that Defendant must commence making
such recordings no later than three (3) months after the date of this Order and must
maintain these recordings for two (2) years after they are made; and
H.
COMPLIANCE MONITORING
perjury; appear for depositions; and produce documents, for inspection and copying. The
Commission and Bureau are also authorized to obtain discovery, without further leave of
court, using any of the procedures prescribed by Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 29, 30
(including telephonic depositions), 31, 33, 34, 36, 45, and 69, provided that, Defendant,
after attempting to resolve a dispute without court action and for good cause shown, may
file a motion with this Court seeking an order for one or more of the protections set forth
in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 26(c).
B.
For matters concerning this Order, the Commission and Bureau are
The Commission and Bureau may use all other lawful means, including
Page 62 of 65
Page 63 of 65
FOR PLAINTIFFS:
LISA ROTHFARB
Maryland Bar
DANIEL DWYER
California Bar No.28670 1
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20580
Tel: (202) 326-2602
Fax: (202) 326-3768
Date:
Page 64 of65
TI-iOMASJ.Fi~A
co
President
Green Tree Servicing LLC
345 St. Peter Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Date:
~ /zD
j,s-
STEVEN M. KAPLAN
Washington, DC Bar No. 447308
K&L Gates LLP
160 1 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006- 1600
Tel: (202) 778-9204
ELIZABETH L. MCKEEN
California Bar No. 216690
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
610 Newport Center Dr., Ste 1700
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Tel: (949) 823-7150
Date: _ _ _ _ _ __
Date: _ _ _ _ _ __
Page 65 of65
THOMASJ.FRANCO
President
Green Tree Servicing LLC
345 St. Peter Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Date: - - - -- - -
Q~ikAN
ELIZABETH L. MCKEEN
California Bar No. 216690
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
610 Newport Center Dr., Ste 1700
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Tel: (949) 823-7150
Date: ---->::(};.___j__/J{)-----=--{_J_
Date: _ _ _ _ _ __
Page 65 of65
THOMAS J. FRANCO
President
Green Tree Servicing LLC
345 St. Peter Street
St. Paul, MN 55102
Date: _ _ _ _ _ __
STEVEN M. KAPLAN
Washington, DC Bar No. 447308
K&L Gates LLP
1601 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006-1600
Tel: (202) 778-9204
Date: - - - - - - -
~~ELIZABETH L. MCKEEN
California Bar No. 216690
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
610 Newport Center Dr., Ste 1700
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Tel: (949) 823-7150
Date:
Page 65 of 65
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