The website for the Nationstar Mortgage settlement is now live.
Though Class Members are not yet able to file claims, information about the case — including the class action complaint and settlement agreement — is available on the site.
The $91 million Nationstar Mortgage settlement resolves allegations of mortgage servicing misconduct and deceptive practices that financially harmed borrowers.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court by attorneys general in each state.
A similar, separate lawsuit was filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
According to the plaintiffs, Nationstar Mortgage, which does business as Mr. Cooper, allegedly engaged in misconduct and abusive mortgage servicing practices between 2012 and 2015, violating the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010.
The company services about 3 million borrowers who have a total of about $500 billion in unpaid principal balances on their loans.
The lawsuit specifically alleged Nationstar Mortgage violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act by improperly increasing permanently modified monthly loan payments, wrongfully foreclosing on mortgage loans, mismanaging escrow accounts, and failing to honor agreements over loan modifications.
According to the Nationstar Mortgage settlement site, a fund of about $5.8 million has been established in order for eligible borrowers to receive cash payments.
Two groups of individuals may be eligible: the Service Transfer Population and the Property Preservation Population.
The Service Transfer Population is made up of borrowers whose loans were transferred in bulk to Nationstar from Feb. 1, 2011, and Dec. 18, 2017, became 30 days delinquent within 90 days of the transfer, and that delinquency resulted in the dispossession of the property in foreclosure.
The Property Preservation Population is made up of borrowers whose property was subject to inspection by Nationstar or an agent of Nationstar, was determined to be vacant, and as a result of that determination, Nationstar or its agent changed the lock between June 24, 2011, and Dec. 29, 2017. Borrowers in this group also must have requested access to the property within 30 days of the initial lock change, or, within 90 days of the initial lock change, the property must have been reported as occupied during a subsequent inspection.
Additional criteria for these groups may also be met.
Those who are eligible to take part in the Nationstar Mortgage settlement should expect an information packet this year. The packet will include a claim form.
According to the Nationstar Mortgage settlement website, more information on the settlement was expected in late January, so it should be available at any time.
Top Class Actions is following this settlement and will let you know when the claims period opens.
