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Citizens FirstInformation and Alerts
Alert Details
This business has 3 alerts.
Accreditation Revocation
On 02/11/2025 this business's accreditation in the BBB was revoked by the BBB's Board of Directors due to failure by the business to adhere to the BBB requirement that Accredited Businesses meet and abide by the following standards:
2A. Work with BBB and agree to modify, substantiate or discontinue advertising and selling practices when recommended.
Licensing
BBB confirmed that Citizens First had not obtained a necessary license from NMLS-Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System. BBB encourages you to contact the following agency or agencies to confirm this information: - 8084899622
Alert
On September 26, 2024, BBB investigated Citizens First in Los Angeles due to multiple Scam Tracker reports alleging unethical business practices such as being charged multiple upfront fees be enrolled in a mortgage relief program.
BBB contacted the company regarding our concerns about the amount and pattern of complaints we have received, unfortunately, the BBB did not receive a response.
FTC Guidelines states “It's illegal to charge upfront fees. You can't collect money from a customer unless you deliver – and the customer agrees to – a written offer of mortgage relief from the customer's lender or servicer.” To read more about the MARS rule: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/mortgage-assistance-relief-services-rule-compliance-guide
2A. Work with BBB and agree to modify, substantiate or discontinue advertising and selling practices when recommended.
Important Information
This business is not BBB accredited.
Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.
Advertising Review
On September 26,2024, BBB Serving Los Angeles and Silicon Valley requested that the businesssubstantiate, modify, or discontinue claims on the company's website, https://www.citizensfirstinc.com/. In particular, BBB requested clarification of the company’scorporation entity and also requested substantiation for claimed results withintheir posted client testimonials.
The BBB Code ofAdvertising states that, "1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful andnon-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should beprepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publicationor broadcast. Upon request, they should present such substantiation promptly tothe advertising medium or BBB.”
The BBB Code ofAdvertising also states, “34. Claims relating to performance, energy savings,safety, efficacy or results for a product or service should be based on recentand competent testing or other objective data.”
TheBBB Code of Advertising also states, “30.1 In general, advertising whichuses testimonials or endorsements is likely to mislead or confuse if: 30.1.3 Itcontains representations or statements which would be misleading if madedirectly by the advertiser; 30.1.11 Aconsumer’s experience represented in an advertisement is not the typicalexperience of those using the product or service, unless the advertisementclearly and conspicuously discloses what the expected results will be.” You cansee the full Testimonial andEndorsements Code here: https://www.bbb.org/code-of-advertising#Testimonials_And_Endorsements
As of February 11, 2025, the business hasfailed to respond to our request for substantiation, modification, ordiscontinuation of the advertised claims.
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