DANVILLE, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against a Florida foreclosure consultant company for allegedly operating illegally in 15 Indiana counties.

Legal Home Loan Solutions also allegedly failed to provide refunds to customers after services were not provided. Three other entities were named as defendants in the suit, including Federal Home Loan Solutions, Matevia Law Firm and Thomas C. Matevia, the owner of all three companies.

"Foreclosure consultant scams prey on those who are desperately looking for help to save their homes," Zoeller said. "These scams also rob the homeowners of the opportunity to receive legitimate housing services from not-for-profit alternatives. The attorney general's office wants to make the public aware of these frauds and provide information about the help available."

The defendants allegedly violated Indiana's consumer protection laws by collecting thousands of dollars before performing any services and failed to register a $25,000 surety bond with Zoeller's office. The defendants allegedly committed other violations of the Mortgage Rescue Protection Act, the December Consumer Sales Act and the Credit Services Organization Act by failing to provide homeowners with notice of various legal rights and the availability of nonprofit credit counseling, among other things.

The lawsuit lists 21 other alleged victims located in Indiana. The lawsuit seeks restitution for the consumers, civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation and attorneys' fees.