Most California business owners obey the law, respect their customers, and are good corporate citizens. But some companies, big and small, take advantage of their customers. I will work tirelessly to prosecute and publicly embarrass those who defraud customers or make false claims about their products and services.

A prime example of this is predatory lending. The housing crisis has hit Californians hard. In the current economy, Californians are struggling enough, and those who prey on them should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Home loan and mortgage fraud and foreclosure scams are very real and growing problems that need to be confronted head-on. Thousands of homeowners have fallen victim to predatory lenders who misled them about the details of the loans they were getting into. Many homeowners were given false promises that they could refinance their loans when rates adjusted.

Now, on the verge of foreclosure, homeowners are being targeted by scam artists who pose as credit counselors, claiming to “fix” their loans and promising to restore good credit with the lender. As Attorney General, I will target unscrupulous lenders, mortgage brokers and sham credit counselors who prey on homeowners.

Read my full plan to protect consumers here.