FTC Extends Anti-Mortgage Scam Record-Keeping Rules
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Trade Commission wants to keep collecting info under a rule that helps protect people from tricky mortgage help scams. This extension lasts three more years and affects companies offering mortgage assistance, who must keep certain records. Comments on this plan are due by June 4, 2026, and the FTC expects it will cost about $48,000 yearly in time and money to follow the rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Recordkeeping Duty for Mortgage-Help Firms
If you run a company that offers mortgage assistance (a MARS provider), you must keep the records required by Regulation O and may be asked to provide them to the CFPB or FTC on a case-by-case basis. The FTC is asking OMB to renew this information collection for three years; the current clearance expires May 31, 2026, and comments are due June 4, 2026.
Continued Protections Against Mortgage Scams
If you are a homeowner with a mortgage, Regulation O keeps disclosure and recordkeeping rules that help people who buy mortgage‑assistance services avoid unfair or deceptive practices. The FTC and CFPB use the retained records for enforcement to help protect purchasers of mortgage assistance services.
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Key Dates
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