ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson sued two more home foreclosure consultants Monday, alleging that the companies defrauded homeowners.

The lawsuits are against Law & Associates, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and Davis Mitigation, Inc., a New Jersey corporation with offices in New Jersey, New York, and Florida.

Monday's complaints brings the total number of lawsuits Swanson has filed against so-called mortgage rescue companies to 10 over the last year and a half, her office said.

"We continue to see a disturbing trend of companies seeking to defraud Minnesota homeowners who are already in the financial pinch of foreclosure. These companies really kick people when they're down," said Swanson, a Democrat.

Law & Associates and Davis Mitigation, which also does business as Foreclosure Assistance, are accused of using mailings, Internet advertising and telephone solicitations to advertise their business.

The attorney general said the companies convinced struggling homeowners the firm could save them from foreclosure and then failed to deliver.

The lawsuits say the firms also charged illegal up-front fees of up to $1,790, and failed to include required safeguards in their contracts, including allowing homeowners to rescind the contract within three days.

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.