The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a rule that would bar mortgage relief companies from charging up-front fees.  Under the rule, companies could collect fees only after substantiating that they had provided the results promised to consumers.  Additional provisions would prevent companies from misleading their customers and would require companies to tell consumers they are for-profit businesses.

The FTC is accepting public comment on this proposed rule change until March 29, 2010.  You may submit comments electronically at http://public.commentworks.com/ftc/MARS-MPRM/ or via hard copy to: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135 (Annex W), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20580.