For the purposes of this part:
Clear and prominent means:
(1) In textual communications, the required disclosures shall be easily readable; in a high degree of contrast from the immediate background on which it appears; in the same languages that are substantially used in the commercial communication; in a format so that the disclosure is distinct from other text, such as inside a border; in a distinct type style, such as bold; parallel to the base of the commercial communication, and, except as otherwise provided in this rule, each letter of the disclosure shall be, at a minimum, the larger of 12-point type or one-half the size of the largest letter or numeral used in the name of the advertised Web site or telephone number to which consumers are referred to receive information relating to any mortgage assistance relief service. Textual communications include any communications in a written or printed form such as print publications or words displayed on the screen of a computer;(2) In communications disseminated orally or through audible means, such as radio or streaming audio, the required disclosures shall be delivered in a slow and deliberate manner and in a reasonably understandable volume and pitch;(3) In communications disseminated through video means, such as television or streaming video, the required disclosures shall appear simultaneously in the audio and visual parts of the commercial communication and be delivered in a manner consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this definition. The visual disclosure shall be at least four percent of the vertical picture or screen height and appear for the duration of the oral disclosure;(4) In communications made through interactive media, such as the internet, online services, and software, the required disclosures shall:(i) Be consistent with paragraphs (1) through (3) of this definition;(ii) Be made on, or immediately prior to, the page on which the consumer takes any action to incur any financial obligation;(iii) Be unavoidable, i.e., visible to consumers without requiring them to scroll down a Web page; and(iv) Appear in type at least the same size as the largest character of the advertisement;(5) In all instances, the required disclosures shall be presented in an understandable language and syntax, and with nothing contrary to, inconsistent with, or in mitigation of the disclosures used in any communication of them; and(6) For program-length television, radio, or internet-based multimedia commercial communications, the required disclosures shall be made at the beginning, near the middle, and at the end of the commercial communication. Client trust account means a separate account created by a licensed attorney for the purpose of holding client funds, which is:
(1) Maintained in compliance with all applicable state laws and regulations, including licensing regulations; and(2) Located in the state where the attorney's office is located, or elsewhere in the United States with the consent of the consumer on whose behalf the funds are held. Commercial communication means any written or oral statement, illustration, or depiction, whether in English or any other language, that is designed to effect a sale or create interest in purchasing any service, plan, or program, whether it appears on or in a label, package, package insert, radio, television, cable television, brochure, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, leaflet, circular, mailer, book insert, free standing insert, letter, catalogue, poster, chart, billboard, public transit card, point of purchase display, film, slide, audio program transmitted over a telephone system, telemarketing script, onhold script, upsell script, training materials provided to telemarketing firms, program-length commercial ("infomercial"), the internet, cellular network, or any other medium. Promotional materials and items and Web pages are included in the term "commercial communication."
(1)General Commercial Communication means a commercial communication that occurs prior to the consumer agreeing to permit the provider to seek offers of mortgage assistance relief on behalf of the consumer, or otherwise agreeing to use the mortgage assistance relief service, and that is not directed at a specific consumer.(2)Consumer-Specific Commercial Communication means a commercial communication that occurs prior to the consumer agreeing to permit the provider to seek offers of mortgage assistance relief on behalf of the consumer, or otherwise agreeing to use the mortgage assistance relief service, and that is directed at a specific consumer. Consumer means any natural person who is obligated under any loan secured by a dwelling.
Dwelling means a residential structure containing four or fewer units, whether or not that structure is attached to real property, that is primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. The term includes any of the following if used as a residence: An individual condominium unit, cooperative unit, mobile home, manufactured home, or trailer.
Dwelling loan means any loan secured by a dwelling, and any associated deed of trust or mortgage.
Dwelling Loan Holder means any individual or entity who holds the dwelling loan that is the subject of the offer to provide mortgage assistance relief services.
Material means likely to affect a consumer's choice of, or conduct regarding, any mortgage assistance relief service.
Mortgage Assistance Relief Service means any service, plan, or program, offered or provided to the consumer in exchange for consideration, that is represented, expressly or by implication, to assist or attempt to assist the consumer with any of the following:
(1) Stopping, preventing, or postponing any mortgage or deed of trust foreclosure sale for the consumer's dwelling, any repossession of the consumer's dwelling, or otherwise saving the consumer's dwelling from foreclosure or repossession;(2) Negotiating, obtaining, or arranging a modification of any term of a dwelling loan, including a reduction in the amount of interest, principal balance, monthly payments, or fees;(3) Obtaining any forbearance or modification in the timing of payments from any dwelling loan holder or servicer on any dwelling loan;(4) Negotiating, obtaining, or arranging any extension of the period of time within which the consumer may:(i) Cure his or her default on a dwelling loan,(ii) Reinstate his or her dwelling loan,(iii) Redeem a dwelling, or(iv) Exercise any right to reinstate a dwelling loan or redeem a dwelling;(5) Obtaining any waiver of an acceleration clause or balloon payment contained in any promissory note or contract secured by any dwelling; or(6) Negotiating, obtaining or arranging:(i) A short sale of a dwelling,(ii) A deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, or(iii) Any other disposition of a dwelling other than a sale to a third party who is not the dwelling loan holder. Mortgage Assistance Relief Service Provider or Provider means any person that provides, offers to provide, or arranges for others to provide, any mortgage assistance relief service. This term does not include:
(1) The dwelling loan holder, or any agent or contractor of such individual or entity.(2) The servicer of a dwelling loan, or any agent or contractor of such individual or entity. Person means any individual, group, unincorporated association, limited or general partnership, corporation, or other business entity, except to the extent that any person is specifically excluded from the Federal Trade Commission's jurisdiction pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 44 and 45(a)(2) .
Servicer means the individual or entity responsible for:
(1) Receiving any scheduled periodic payments from a consumer pursuant to the terms of the dwelling loan that is the subject of the offer to provide mortgage assistance relief services, including amounts for escrow accounts under section 10 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (12 U.S.C. 2609 ) ; and(2) Making the payments of principal and interest and such other payments with respect to the amounts received from the consumer as may be required pursuant to the terms of the mortgage servicing loan documents or servicing contract.Telemarketing means a plan, program, or campaign which is conducted to induce the purchase of any service, by use of one or more telephones and which involves more than one interstate telephone call.