The Federal Trade Commission tomorrow will begin mailing out 450,177 refund checks worth up to several thousand dollars each to former customers of Countrywide Home Loans Inc.
It's part of a $108 million settlement reached last year with the company — now owned by Bank of America — that stood accused of charging excessive fees to struggling homeowners.
The FTC says Countrywide over-charged homeowners in default for inspections, lawn mowing and other services to maintain the property. Plus, consumers trying to save their homes by filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 were given wrong information about how much they owed and charged extra fees without notice, according to the FTC.
Refunds will be sent to those whose loans were serviced by Countrywide from Jan. 1, 2005, to July 1, 2008. Consumers should cash their checks by Sept. 19.