The Federal Trade Commission has shuttered Miami mortgage relief company Truman Foreclosure Assistance, after settling a mortgage fraud case that alleged the company regularly charged homeowners upfront fees for modification aid, the Miami Herald reported. The company has been banned from offering mortgage relief services and its owners, Eli Hertz, Benzion Jack Itzkowitz, and Richard Zafrani, instructed to pay $1.8 million in restitution to customers. Truman reportedly charged homeowners between $1,500 and $3,000 for a mortgage modification. [Miami Herald]

Truman Foreclosure Assistance, a South Florida mortgage rescue company that claimed it would help keep clients in their homes even if they were having trouble making mortgage payments, has been accused of simply taking their cash. Several customers said Truman took their money but did no work, and it looks like there may be little recourse for them. The company has apparently vanished from their North Miami Beach office building, the sign on their door is gone and workers at the building and customers claim they can’t find anyone from Truman or reach them by phone. The company has been downgraded to an “F” rating by the Better Business Bureau, with numerous complaints filed against them via the Florida Attorney General. [NBC Miami]