Frequently asked questions

  1. What is the lawsuit about?

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, also known as the CFPB, is a government agency responsible for enforcing laws that protect consumers.

    CFPB sued CFLA and its owners for charging illegal advance fees in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act to consumers who were seeking to renegotiate, settle, reduce, or alter the terms of their mortgages.

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  2. How do I receive a refund? / Will I be able to get more money from this case beyond the refund check I received?

    The deadline to file a claim in this matter was January 16, 2023.

    Receiving a refund from the CFPB does not prevent you from pursuing other legal claims, if any, against any individual or entity named in the CFPB’s lawsuit. While neither Epiq nor CFPB can give you individual legal advice, you can speak with an attorney who can provide legal advice specific to your situation.

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  3. How do I find out more about this case?

    Some additional information, including the final court order, is available on the Important Documents page of this website or by visiting the CFPB website at www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/payments-harmed-consumers/payments-by-case, and clicking on the link that says, “Certified Forensic Loan Auditors et al.”

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  4. Who is the CFPB?

    The CFPB stands for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 established the CFPB.

    Congress established the CFPB to protect consumers by carrying out federal consumer financial laws. Among other things, the CFPB

    • Writes rules, supervises companies, and enforces federal consumer financial protection laws;
    • Restricts unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices;
    • Takes consumer complaints;
    • Promotes financial education;
    • Researches consumer behavior;
    • Monitors financial markets for new risks to consumers; and
    • Enforces laws that outlaw discrimination and other unfair treatment in consumer finance.

    To learn more, visit www.consumerfinance.gov.

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  5. Who is Epiq?

    Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions is the third-party administrator that CFPB has contracted with to answer questions regarding this case and to administer this website.

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  6. Is this a scam? How do I verify that this is legitimate?

    No, this is not a scam. If you wish, you can verify that Epiq is contracted with CFPB by calling CFPB directly at 1-855-411-2372, or visiting the CFPB website at: www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/payments-harmed-consumers/payments-by-case and clicking on the link that says, “Certified Forensic Loan Auditors et al.”

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  7. What is the Privacy Act Statement?

    The information we are requesting is being collected to determine your eligibility for a redress payment to compensate you for harm suffered from a violation of a Federal consumer financial law that was the subject of a Bureau enforcement action.

    Information collected will be treated in accordance with CFPB’s published System of Records Notice (SORN), CFPB.025 – Civil Penalty and Bureau-Administered Redress Program Records.

    This information may be used by and disclosed to employees, contractors, agents, and others authorized by the CFPB to receive this information to assist in providing your redress. It may also be disclosed

    • To a court, magistrate, or administrative tribunal in the course of a proceeding;
    • For enforcement, statutory, and regulatory purposes;
    • To another federal or state agency or regulatory authority;
    • To a member of Congress; to the Department of Justice, a court, an adjudicative body or administrative tribunal, or a party in litigation; and
    • Pursuant to the Routine Uses described in the SORN.

    The collection of this information is authorized by Pub. L. 111-203, Title X, Sections 1017(d) (Civil Penalty Fund) and/or 1055(a) (Redress), codified at 12 U.S.C. §§ 5497(d), 5565(a).

    You are not required to submit or provide any identifying information; however, not doing so may delay processing or be a basis for rejection of your claim.

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3170-0024. It expires on May 31, 2025. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average approximately 30 minutes per response. Responding to this collection of information is voluntary. Comments regarding this collection of information, including the estimated response time, suggestions for improving the usefulness of the information, or suggestions for reducing the burden to respond to this collection should be submitted to Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20552, or by email to CFPB_PRA@cfpb.gov.

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  8. If I receive a check with instructions to pay a fee or to provide additional personal information, what should I do?

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, never requires consumers to pay money up front or provide additional information before consumers can cash refund checks that CFPB has issued.

    If anyone claims that they can get you a refund but asks you for money, it could be a scam. Please contact CFPB right away if this happens to you or if you have other questions about this matter.

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  9. Where can I send information?

    You may contact Epiq in writing at:

    CFPB v. CFLA
    Civil Penalty Fund Third-Party Administrator
    P.O. Box 6909
    Portland, OR 97228-6909

    Do not send any information to CFPB.

    Please note that information you submit is treated in accordance with the Privacy Act. You can view the Privacy Act in FAQ 7.

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